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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  Ive enjoyed my Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Linda - November 23 - 10:00 am

  We have been fortunate to own this car. It has never given us any major problems and has always been very reliable. It drives well in rain and snow. Our grown boys always ask to borrow it if the weather is bad (snow or ice) or if they need the space for their friends! Our only issues have been minor.(hazard button broke and radio buttons are wacky). Other then that, the car has been great! My husband has kept it in great shape and my grandson loves being in it!

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  Good to me - 2006 Saturn ION
  By CountBasey - November 21 - 4:26 pm

  My 2006 ION has been better than any GM car Ive owned. I formerly owned a 1997 Saturn SL2 that I drove until 130,000 miles - I only traded that in due to a leaky sunroof (that would have cost over $1.1K to fix - not doing on an 11 yr old car, sorry). But my ION has been good for the past 20K + miles without any issues. Love the plastic bodies - my 11 year old 1997 SL2 looked like new the day I traded it in. Hopefully my "last of the plastics" ION will hold up equally well.

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  ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By misty - November 19 - 1:36 pm

  I have had my car for a little over a month, and so far I really love it!! My husband says there is not enough leg room in the front passenger seat unless the kids are not in the car, and the upholstery does stain very easily (from water!), but I get great gas mileage (25-28mpg city, 32-35 highway). There is a little engine rattle, but other than that it is great! I love the way it looks. It is quite comfortable for me. I like the center gauge feature, and it is really fun to drive!

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  Saturn ION a winner - 2003 Saturn ION
  By David Knight - November 19 - 2:00 am

  Our 03 Saturn ION 3 replaced my wifes 96 Saturn SL1. It is our 4th Saturn. The purchase experience at Saturn of Richmond was everything Saturn claims about being no hassle. Service has always been excellent. The ION is a further step forward for Saturn, well built, and actually fun to drive. The leather seating is comfortable even on long trips. The car is peppy. The center instrument cluster actually provides better vision once you get used to it.

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  Best car Ive owned - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By bdog86 - November 15 - 7:39 am

  Ive owned many cars, trucks and suvs. But the 3.5L version of the Aura rocks ! Lots of space, plenty of power for a luxury sedan which surprised me, and just the defined look of the Aura catches you off guard. My Aura has 106,000km on her now and the only thing replaced so far was the driver side strut which was a quick fix. Very reliable car and is high enough off the ground to go on gravel roads into the woods without sacrificing any comfort at all ! Handles turns, and bumps beautifully. Also if your worried about a V6 eating gas... Dont be worried. I get at least 500-550km in the city with full tank and over 700km on highway but thats going around 120+km/hr..

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  Reliable SUV - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Good Buy - November 10 - 3:46 pm

  I purchased my VUE new in 6/2002 for my wife. It became mine later and it has been very reliable/ no major problems. I average 22-23 MPG (50/50 CITY/HWY). The only problem we had was the belt tensioner froze at 30K/ replaced at no charge w/ a new belt. Very good in the snow and handles like a sports car.

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  Man, its hot in here - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By NoMoreSaturns4me - November 10 - 6:10 am

  This is a very loud vehicle to drive. This is a very hot vehicle to drive. This is a very difficult vehicle to clean. The A/C doesnt get very cold. When drying the exterior after washing, it is very difficult to get the "spots" off of it. My husband is very particular about his cars, and this one has gotten the better of him. The power of this vehicle is lacking as well. Wish it took off a little quicker.

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  Reliable and inexpensive - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By drayton_cross - November 7 - 8:33 pm

  Vehicle was purchased new. AWD has been very beneficial due to living in a hilly area prone to ice. Have had no mechanical issues (only oil changes and routine maintenance so far). XM radio and MP3 compatible disc player is great for long trips. While not a sports car, it has good acceleration. Would recommend this vehicle to anyone looking for a crossover SUV.

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  Fine ergonomics - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Sax - November 7 - 10:00 am

  The engine and trans work smoothly and all the switchgear is easily located for a right hander. I have first hand knowledge of the benefits of the exterior plastic skin, which again, was very appealing. But the extensive use of cheap looking materials on the interior, turned me off all together, so I didnt buy this product.

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  what about mileage? - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By woodinhills - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I traded a gas-sucking GMC all-wheel drive van for the saturn when gas hit $2/gal. So then, I purchased a lower- end Saturn ue- the 4 cyl/5 spd front wheel drive. Bottom of the line. Loaded with good stuff, tho- snrf, base stereo is great, heated seats, power drivers seat is great, etc. Drives nicely. However- onm the interstate in a headwinbd or ANY wind, this car struggles. I am getting UNDER 20 MPG on the freeway, driving very normally. I have had a tank @ 22 mpg, 24 mpg and thought I even had one @ 26 MPG. Overall, I get UNDER 20 MPG in this 2.2 liter/5spd car. BUY THE 6 CYL!