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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  Saturn Vue - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Mie4evEr1 - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I cant say those so much wrong with this vehicle. The biggest problem id have to say it that its a very jumpy car. I cant explain this very well but when i put it in Park (P) the car jumps backa dn forth and this isnt very good if your in a tight parking spot.. it can cause u to hit the car infront or in back of you. The interior is a little too much plastic, but I guess that what you get for the price your paying.

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  Worst Vehicle Ever Owned - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By TL in Wichita - February 15 - 4:16 am

  The only good thing about this car is the looks. Performance is good when it works. From the beginning, this vehicle has been in the shop for numerous maintenance issues from suspension, to leaking antifreeze, and many other problems. This car is so poorly built that as soon as it was paid off, I took it the following day and dumped it. Maintenance costs are very high. Was quoted $400.00 to replace a faulty thermostat because much of the engine would have be be broken down to get to it. Same with changing the spark plugs. I will never purchase another Saturn again. To think I traded a low mileage Camry for this piece of junk! I guess we all make foolish mistakes. I now own a Toyota again!!!

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  Yet another transmission victim! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Tim - February 1 - 11:10 am

  This past May I had my transmission replaced for the second time within three years. Since May I have had to take my car back to that same shop three more times and now my starter just went on me. This car has given me nothing but grief and if I didnt owe more on it than it was worth it would have been traded in by now! I am absolutely done with GM. Unfortunately, I may be done with American cars period at this point.

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  Returned it to Dealer - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By ryanrec - January 26 - 10:00 am

  Had the Vue for three weeks and returned to the dealer under their 30 day return policy. Service engine light and Security light came on at 500 miles. Seats seemed uncomfortable after driving it for a week. Only got 18 miles to the gallon. Fit and finish was poor for a $24K vehicle. Ended up getting a 2003 Accord EX V6. Much better quality.

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  Buyer Beware - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Heather - January 2 - 1:23 am

  What a pile of junk. We traded in our Ford Escape for this and I wish we hadnt. This car has been into the service department 5 times for the stupid check engine light. We have paid them over $1000 dollars and the check engine light still stays on. The car will not accelerate and I was almost run down by a semi truck on I-25 due to this stupid problem. I will never buy a Saturn again!

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  Horrible Car - Do Not Buy - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By steppiemay - November 10 - 12:53 am

  I previously owned a (used) 2002 Nissa Altima that gave me all kinds of hell. I decided to buy American and thought Saturn made good cars. This car has proven me wrong. In the 4 years Ive had it, (purchased in 2008 - original owner), the car has overheated twice. Check engine light came on 3x. Ive had to replace an engine solenoid valve, temp sensor and H20 pump and fix a leaking transaxle. This morning I received a stability trak DIC. So off to the dealer I go again. This car is a big piece of junk! Pre-own buyers beware!!

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  Frustrated Saturn 2005 ION2 Owner - Cold Start Issue - 2005 Saturn ION
  By mam824 - November 8 - 9:10 am

  In 2008, I had to purchase a vehicle right after I started a new job. I went to SATURN dealer, out of loyalty, (my old SATURN lasted 12 yrs). There was a car just brought in with very low mileage (12,000+) for a 2005 model. I have had my share of issues, but the cold start issue has been a thorn on my side for over two years! First it was the engine light that kept turning on, that took almost a year and two instances of my car being out of commission for weeks at a time to be resolved. GM did away with the SATURN brand, but they have certainly left a bad taste in my mouth about their product.

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  Saturn lies - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Outlook - October 19 - 7:36 pm

  Gas Milage was a lie. Around town maybe 14 hwy is 17 at best. Brakes are bad! When seats are down and you are hauling something they dont stop you. You need to add a lot of extra footage to stop. I drove my daughters Honda Pilot and hauled the same amount of things and had no problem stopping. I am upset with braking system and milage. Now when I call about milage I am told when your car reaches 10K it will start to get better milage. Well, I now have 12K on it and no change at all. What a joke.

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  No More Saturn - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Sour Saturn Owner - October 13 - 11:50 pm

  This is my second Saturn and the last. The car has been nothing but funky off the wall problems since it was six months old. Fortunately I followed my gut instinct and bought extended warranty that will be up in two months just in time to unload the Vue for my new 09 Honda. Saturn started out with a good product that has went horribly wrong and for the record I will not buy American made vehicle ever again.

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  Saturn Vue XR built in Mexico - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By saturncrap - September 21 - 5:54 pm

  I own a 2008 saturn vue xr...with 70000 km on it.. what i have replaced. Battery on the first week I had it..and it goes on. Brake Booster/ total braking system with pedals Igniton switch/wiper motors /sway bar links. Now leaking transmission/and moisture inside the windows in the winter This was an expensive purchase ..hoping to keep this vehicle for a few more years.. $ 35,000.00 purchase.