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:

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  08 Saturn Vue Red Line 3.6 FWD - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Paul - December 8 - 1:16 pm

  Ive been researching replacement vehilces for my 01 Ford Escape for ~1- year, on-off. When the Saturn Vue came out a few months back I took a first test-drive in an XE 3.5 AWD. It felt good and was adquately powered, but wanted to test-drive the XR, but didnt get a chance to. Waited until the Red Lines started showing-up and decided this was the one for me. Put down a little more to reduce the monthly- payment. Mines Polar White, with the Ebony interior. Looks good, feels good to sit-in, and best of all its a hoot to drive so far. The 6-speed transmission is silky-smooth, with a quiet V6 engine, and just enough rumble coming from the chromed tail-pipe tips, sounds great too.

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  Another great car from SATURN - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jim_VUE_me - December 8 - 2:00 am

  As a proud owner of a 1995 SC2 I decided to purchase the VUE for my wife and children. This SUV rocks! No it isnt a Lexus or Mercedes but if you want an SUV that will last and preform for 10 years, then I suggest you join the "Saturn Family". Have always had excellent experiences with Saturn, and will probably be a lifetime customer. The AWD V6 has plenty and I do mean PLENTY of horsepower 0 - 60 times are incredible and the SUV is solidly built and not nearly as noisy as the car reviewers say.

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  2007 Aura XR - Awesome! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By RamaDune - December 6 - 7:20 pm

  I was always impressed with Saturns performance, reliability and design, but felt their interiors wre cheap looking and sparse. The 2007 Aura is just the opposite. The interior is tight, quiet, and luxurious and only seen on more high priced luxury cars. The 3.6L engine with the 6 speed transmission is quick, responsive and fun to drive. Saturn has a winner here and foreign car owners should check out this car. It is priced $2000-$4000 cheaper than is competitors and has more standard features than most. The Saturn Aura XR is a winner!

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  So Far, So Good - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Steve K. - November 26 - 3:00 am

  Overall, my experience with my new Vue is very positive. Although, I very seldom make a major purchase on impulse, this car was an exception. As soon as I saw it on the lot, I knew I had to have it. Over the last year or two, whenever a saw one of GMÂ’s foreign competitorsÂ’ crossover vehicles, I would think if GM (IÂ’m a GM retiree) would make something like that I would buy it.

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  Love to VUE - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Janne - November 24 - 5:00 pm

  My third Saturn and this is the best! Love the "feel" and quiet comfort. Drives like a dream.

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  I love my car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By princessalica - November 24 - 10:16 am

  My car gets excellent mileage, which is a big advantage with the price of gas now. Its comfortable. I bought it used from a Honda dealership and the only probelm I have is the stereo. I dont know why, but sometimes I wont read a disk, actually more often than not. When it is working, it is a great mp3 player, and it sounds great. Its the only probelm I have.

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  Love It! Extremely Good Value - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Ralph - November 22 - 2:43 am

  Value - this is by far the best car for the money. Sure you can buy a Toyota or Honda with the same level a reliability, but this has style. And you dont see 30 of them in whenever you look for a parking space. The car drives wonderfully with more than enough power. More power is available with the XR but the XE - V6 is plenty of power. For more spirited performance drop it in I from D. Every guest in my car compliments the design and comfort and thinks it is much more expensive that I paid. I look forward to enjoying this car for years.

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  nice car and excellent ride - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By mmo - November 21 - 10:00 am

  purchased car june 2002, excellent ride. great pulling capacity, some road noise but for price of car nice ride. extremely reliable, no needed service other than oil change. very easy to do oil change at home total cost about $13.00. Have 5 sp vue as well.

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  Fourth American Made Vehicle - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Michael - November 19 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2008 Aura used with 27K. I usually lean towards Toyota and Honda. I thought I would give America another try in quality since my last American vehicle was a 92 GMC Sonoma pick-up and was a lemon. The car now has 42K and have not had one problem (knock on wood). I was very amazed with the ride, handling, and gas mileage. I am sorry that Saturn no longer exist because I think they might have had something going for it with the Aura. Oh well maybe my next will be a Malibu.

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  Love it - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Jrojones - November 18 - 7:13 am

  Ive only had my Vue a little over a month now, but I think it is great! Traded in my gas chugging Dodge Durango and am really happy with the change!