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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  My Saturn Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Plastic Saturn Man - September 6 - 8:46 am

  My plastic car looks great, but feels a little cheap inside. Since I mainly use it as a dual purpose vehicle, it serves me well. I can drive around my kids and be very safe. In addition, I can easily zoink out the car seats and lay the rear and front passenger seats down providing ample space for my miscellaneous boxes and tools. The CR-V 4-cylinder engine does feel a bit odd and under-powered. I get the feeling my motor is being powered by a giant coiled rubber band, like those used to power a toy airplaneÂ’s propeller.

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  Dog loved it - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Dan - September 4 - 11:10 am

  In a word "FUN", we go backpacking and this car is a perfect fit. The power had me scared at first because of the hills we drive, but the 1.8 had no problems going up to Lake Arrowhead today, but the best part was the handling...wow! This is not my grandmothers Saturn.

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  Excellent for a $12,000 Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By The Bohemian - September 4 - 10:00 am

  The Ion 1 is the "Deal of the Century" The no hassle buying promise is just that. I went into Saturn looking for a $12,000 car for $12,000. I got what I asked for. Other makes dealerships tried to fleece me $16,000 for a $12,000 car by adding $4.98 worth of options and telling me what a good deal I was getting. This car drives superb for an inexpensive vehicle and it is peppy, handles good,is quite, roomy and has good styling. Also the insurance companies love it and they will smother you with low rates.

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  Great looking car-Faulty parts - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By drmechem - September 1 - 8:56 am

  Love the way the car looks, turns alot of heads and gets alot of compliments.

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  New Outlook - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By TX5Williams - August 31 - 10:00 pm

  I love our new Outlook. It is perfect for our family. I love the seats and the option to have 8 in the car at once. We have 3 kids who actully dont mind being in the middle seat together. It is very roomy.

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  Id rather be driving an import - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Dissatisfied - August 31 - 8:50 pm

  Very poorly built car. I have had the vehicle less then 2 years it has been in for service at least a dozen times. Ive actually lost count. Engine problems, buttons that fall into the dash, doors that wont open, CD player stops working, switches that get stuck, etc. Im afraid of going on long trips in fear it will leave me stranded. The seats have little support and the rear seats are too low. The front a-pillars are too wide and create large blind spots. Lots of interior road noise. Loud interior vibrations created when the A/C fan is operating. Hard to locate the passenger front and rear window switches when driving without averting attention away from the road.

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  Cant find a cooler car - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By pokefun - August 29 - 6:32 pm

  Love this Sky, well designed, solid and afordable

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  best value in its class - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By gus seretis - August 29 - 10:00 am

  After comparing 7 suvs in the same class the vue gives the most value for the mony. The honda engine is quiet and has more power than necessary (not that its a bad thing.) I love driving it.

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  Best roadster for the price. - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Donald Perkins - August 27 - 2:26 am

  I have had the BMW Z3, the Porsche Boxter and just turned in my BMW Z4. This vehicle looks better than all of them. The ride is better. It doesnt have the power, but for driving around town it is perfect. No matter where we go people want to check it out. It is a winner!

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  Awesome Car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Dolphin Can - August 24 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive. Great get up and go!! Ricaro seats! Beautiful wheels. Stiff suspension, amazing ahndling and cornering. The value for dollar is unbeatable! Love the doors on both sides. Mp3 Player is nice to have.