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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  First time Saturn Buyer - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By T& J - August 19 - 11:56 am

  Purchased our new Saturn three weeks ago. We fell in love with the styling, and roomy interior. We have decided to use the exchange option that Saturn offers. With less than 1300 miles the car has developed camshaft problems, and a noise from the rear end every time we turn a corner. This 275 hp engine is not very strong when driving up hills. Its been in the shop three times in three weeks. If the exchange vehicle is not any better, we will probably never purchase another Saturn.

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  2004 VUE REDLINE: LONG TERM - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By RobO - August 18 - 12:13 pm

  I bought this car off the showroom floor in 2004. I commuted with it for 5 years in San Francisco, CA. traffic. I drove it across country in 2009, going up to Seattle, all the way up in the mountains of Washington, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming and so on across the USA. It currently has 119,000 miles on it, and the only thing that has ever gone wrong with it is the pull cable for the hood release, and the light cluster panel above the driver needed a new switch. This is a reliable, fun to drive car with plenty of room, great performance, versatility and excellent fuel economy. On the cross country trip, fully loaded, with a pod carrier on top of the car, I got an overall 24 miles a gallon.

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  Saturn VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Ted Burke - August 12 - 10:00 am

  ON long trip was very impressed with ride and handling. Road noise not as bad as expected, ride more comfortable than expected. Gas mileage better than average. Engine has plenty of power.

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  Greatest Mini-Suv Ever! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Ryan K. - August 8 - 2:00 am

  The Saturn Vue is by far one of the greatest SUVs I have ever driven. I currently bought one in November of 02. So far so good. Its been great in performance, gas millage, and reliability. Ive had it a little over 2 weeks now, and Im lovin it!

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  Still basic, just add bells and whistles - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ronr1204 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I cant really complain- the Ion 3 has a good deal more power under the hood than the old SL1; as well as more responsive handling but I really wish Saturn would learn to make their interiors look a little less like they were glued and scotch taped together.

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  Suprised & Disappointed! - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By USBrit2002 - August 5 - 3:53 am

  Bought new. No prior preference. Just wanted good fit. In truth found it by mistake. Misread dealers Aura advert for Acura! Then saw it - black, sleek stylish & GREAT price. Im a tall Rugby player so I need room and selected model w/out sun-roof (who needs it anyway?). Agree with every previous positive comment. May not be a top luxury interior - but its roomy and at great price. Then, GM closes Saturn! Thought - why end a modern, distinctive, fair-priced range whilst keeping two mediocre look-alike clones; (Chevy & GMC)?

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  Must have got a good one - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Really Lucky - July 27 - 3:53 pm

  Purchased 2005 Relay II new in November 2004. Car has been up and down the east coast. First long distance trip went from DE to CT and back on 3/4 of tank...impressive. As the years and miles went by notice problems. Power sliding door would automatically open when you tried to close it. Suspension problem with left bushing covered under warranty. Lastly, never resolved was the dimming dashboard that was told to be a problem with alternator. This was replaced under warranty but got progressively worse again.

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  Happy owner since new - 2003 Saturn ION
  By cartopcamper - July 24 - 9:12 pm

  Weve owned since new a 2003 Saturn Ion 3 sedan with 5-speed manual transmission. It now has about 145K miles and is going strong. All of our 5 kids learned how to drive a stick in this car. The clutch finally needed replacement at 137K miles. I live in Southern California. While a daughter attended school near Boise, ID, Id drive up a couple times a year via Nevada back roads. I wouldnt see another vehicle for hours while driving through the desert, so Id drive 100 mph for long periods without a problem - still got great mpg. I still use this car if driving long trips by myself. Only problem for us was/is the ignition key switch issue - about $350 to fix, and I havent yet

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  Saturn ION 2 - 2003 Saturn ION
  By aaronstoker - July 23 - 10:00 am

  I have really enjoied the Ion. It is sporty, stabble, smooth,I feel complete control and safe. It has good power and awesome guiding feathers; dash tells when chage oil, your operation of the car. Then intergity of the car seem to be a little noisey already.

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  the rug pulled over my eyes - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By edblack - July 18 - 12:00 am

  drives great,but tranny is jerky! seats ok but needs side support.i have had reliability problems at 24000 miles,and parts always have to be order!my dearlership takes 2 hours to do oil and filter change.i counld not open my driver side door; it took 10 days for part and all day to fix!the sterio is good but my brother old base camry; 2002 sounds better. at saturn its abanded ship; i look to much at stying;never again!