Overview & Reviews

The Saturn brand, which was part of General Motors, has been discontinued as of the 2009 model year. Though popular in its early years, Saturn suffered from poor sales and was shuttered as part of GM's bankruptcy reorganization.

Despite its sad end, Saturn started with a bright future. After losing market share to Japanese imports during the '80s, General Motors launched Saturn, a new division that began selling small, low-priced cars in 1990. The division promoted itself as "different," with Saturn dealers offering no-haggle pricing and friendly customer service.

Saturn made its debut with the S Series line of vehicles. Available in sedan, coupe and wagon configurations, these Saturns differentiated themselves from other GM products with all-new platforms and flexible plastic panels meant to resist denting. Additionally, the brand was granted its own plant, with all Saturns being built at a dedicated facility in Spring Hill, Tennessee. These first Saturns weren't exactly built to burn rubber; they were powered by engines that offered from 85-124 horsepower. The payoff, though, was that these were among the most fuel-efficient vehicles of their day, offering up to 40 miles per gallon (when equipped with a manual transmission).

Just after the brand's conception, GM boasted that Saturn vehicles would benefit from rapid evolution, but in the early years, this wasn't the case. The brand's vehicles saw only one redesign in their first decade of existence. The revamp took place in the mid-'90s, and for the most part, it was only skin deep. Exteriors were spruced up and interior room saw a slight increase.

The Saturn brand enjoyed some success in its earliest years, fueled by buyers who were in love with its unique approach to customer relations that included "no-haggle" pricing. By the turn of the century, though, the novelty had worn off. With dated platforms and a limited range of products, the marque was neglected by GM, and disappointing sales figures showed that buyers had taken note and chosen to spend their dollars elsewhere.

GM responded by ramping up its commitment to the Saturn brand. In 2000, it rolled out the L Series; sharing a platform and an engine with the Opel Vectra (one of GM's European products) the sedan was the opening salvo in GM's ultimately futile fight to resuscitate the struggling brand. An SUV, the Vue, was unveiled, as was a minivan, the Relay. The S Series was replaced by the lamentable Ion, which was available as a sedan and a coupe. GM also added a hybrid to the lineup, with the introduction of the Saturn Vue Green Line.

Later, Saturn included the sporty Sky roadster, the midsize Aura sedan, the compact second-generation Vue crossover and the full-size Outlook crossover. For a brief period, there was also the European-sourced Astra compact hatchback.

Despite the increase in product quality, however, the Saturn brand effectively collapsed in 2009. As part of GM's bankruptcy proceedings, Saturn was offered up for sale. Initially, it was believed that the Penske Corporation would take over Saturn. But the deal fell through at the last minute, thereby spelling the final end for GM's import-fighting experiment.

User Reviews:

• 

  taste of performance - 2003 Saturn ION
  By donny - November 14 - 10:00 am

  Just came back from a trip to Eastern Kentucky. The curves combined with hills can be down right scarry for those who are not used to it. The car had descent pickup but could not turn the corners as well as the Chevy Astro I was trying to follow. High roof line also does not help with mpg. Car has great bottem end torque in the standard but the automatic acts like it has a stall converter and is always in the 3 grand to 4 grand in rpm for just normal cruising.

• 

  Not Bad, Not Great.. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By HeadAche - November 13 - 6:13 am

  Bought this car in the summer of 05, has been a really fun and good reliable car to drive until the winter of 07. Seemed like the whole car was falling apart at only 15,000 miles! Strut mounts went, but on most low end cars like the ion they go almost every year, but I got the extended warranty which covered it, or so I thought unit Saturn said that it would cost me 400 to replace the strut mount. Also the same year the car misfired and was running on 3 cylinders, cool though the ion sounded like a Subaru sti when I drove it. More to this whole thing which I cant fit in here so I just have to say Saturn has the worst customer service I have ever encountered. Getting rid of this car soon.

• 

  Would buy this car again - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Leigh - November 11 - 10:26 pm

  I bought this car used in 2005 and have had absolutely no problems with it, Ive only had to replace the tires, brakes and oil. I have had none of the problems that have been explained here. The car was totaled about a month ago and I would have bought another one except for the fact that Saturn has gone out of business. This was my second Saturn and hate that I cannot buy another one.

• 

  Luck of the draw - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By trek - November 7 - 1:16 am

  An odd vehicle that I bought because my wife liked/wanted it. Initially I didnt think like it much at all. Weve used this Vue to tow, haul and carry everything from sea kayaks to dirt bikes as well as a 4000lb trailer across the USA. Its been in the snow in Canada and the desert SW heat as well as off road trails in various parts of the country (after decent tires were added). Its an odd vehicle that has been clobbered by depreciation but I have to say out of the European, Japanese and American vehicles Ive owned over the years, this thing has been the little engine that could. Great family car too. The dealers on the other hand, are so bad I will not darken their doors. Ever.

• 

  Was Great! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rolo - November 3 - 1:13 am

  We purchased this vehicle brand new and have had it for 6 years. It has always been a very reliable vehicle but when there has been an issue and something need to get fixed it has always been a very expensive repair. For example rotors, brakes, the 100,000 mile tune up, but now we have had 2 repairs in the last month the first cost $1,200 and the second one is $2,500, both have been engine problems. So now we are going to say good-bye to our Saturn.

• 

  Distraught with Ion II mpg - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Gayla - November 2 - 10:33 am

  Originally, my review of this car was very bad, because it had to be towed back to the dealer <10 days after purchase. However, since then it has proved itself as a dependable vehicle. The only issue I still have with it is the mpg. This is a manual transmission, and was claimed to get 34 hwy, and I forget the city, was it 27 mpg or 24 mpg? Im getting about 28 mpg highway. I could enjoy the car if it got anywhere close to the claimed mpg. Im probably getting somewhere close to 20 mpg city, but I cant be anywhere near certain because it is never the case that I do all city driving. The 1984 Honda CRX with the fuel efficient 1.3 liter engine got 55 mpg hwy, 45 mpg city.

• 

  Its Been Good to Me - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By franmorr1966 - November 1 - 2:14 am

  This car has been reliable and comfortable. I have nearly 82,000 miles on this car and other than replacing the rear wiper motor (after warranty), the car has only needed normal wear and tear service.

• 

  Good SUV to buy - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Odyssey - October 21 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Vue for almost a year now and it has had no engine or transmission problems. The truck is very economical for long extended road trips and requires very little maintenance. The VTI transmission definetly works best when combined with cruise control. Interior is very roomy and rear cup holder console is useful. The truck is easy to drive on the street, dependable and confortable. The traction control system is helpful on dirt roads. I recommend the truck to those who are looking for low maitenance, good gas milage and a compact designed that fits well in small parking areas. Good dealer service. The Vue is definetly not a sportscar.

• 

  Bushman - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Bushee - October 16 - 10:00 am

  No problems at all. Not bad for the price. No reason to buy a Jap car with this on the market.

• 

  Aura Design/Build Defect ( ??? ) - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By dinoF - October 11 - 11:46 pm

  I am revising my earlier review of a 9.0 overall rating. My XR underdoor rocker panels (plastic) are beginning to pull away from the car body (steel) creating a 1/4 inch gap and exposing the rocker panel fasteners. Dealer had no fix and said it could be a build, vibration, or design problem. Problem began to occur at about 3,000 miles. What will these panels look like at 30,000 miles ? Anyone else have this problem?