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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  Run Away from the ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By needanewcar5 - August 23 - 5:46 pm

  The Ion is my 3rd Saturn it will be my last. #1 and #2 were great. Now they are just any other GM. Then the lemon is #3 The ION. This car seems to be in the garage more than on the road. It is 3.5 yrs old 42k and averages a repair about every 5k. 4 break issues including completly loosing all breaks while driving. Talk about a saftey issue. The rear lights shorted out, wiper arms needed replaced, now the wipers catch on the antenna, numerous heating and cooling repairs. The dealer has been awful, each issue takes multiple trips for the dealer to make repairs. I would not wish this experience on my worst enemy.

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  Yes that is a Saturn! - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By red jewel fan - August 23 - 2:16 pm

  My wife has been wanting a new Outlook since the first time she saw it. After driving it, so did I. Great riding vehicle. So much space for a midsize SUV. This car can definitely compare with any other SUV in its price range. If youre looking for a vehicle that will keep your kids content on a long trip, trust me, please put the Outlook on your list. The hardest decision will be deciding which color.

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  The boys mom - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By mom of 3 boys - August 23 - 6:10 am

  I love my Saturn Outlook! Never owned a Saturn before and I will own more! It out performs any other car I have had on the snow and ice----which I have had a lot of opportunity to test with this crazy winter. I previous owned 2 Ford Explorers, a Ford Freestyle and a Ford Expedition. I went back to Ford when my Freestyle Lease was up---they tried to sell me a KIA--yuck. I bought the Saturn and I am so happy with it....it is roomier than the Explorer and the Freestyle. Although less comfortable seats than the Freestyle. The anti lock brakes and traction control have made it easy to get around while I watch other cars sliding all over in the crazy icy- snowy weather we have had.

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  Love my Saturn! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By docsmilitarywife - August 22 - 1:43 am

  My husband bought me my Saturn ION Sport with all leather trim, sunroof, 6 cd changer & everything for my birthday and I absolutely adore it! Its the funnest car I have ever driven. Its reliable, sporty, beautiful, and low maitenance. The only things about it I would change are I would like it if it got a bit better gas mileage and the back seat is kinda cramped. I highly recommend one for those whom have no children or only a small child. We have driven this car to GA & Tennessee multiple times and it has always proven reliable. I get compliments on it all the time. People really like it, though not as much as I do! It is a 6 cylinder, too so it has great pick-up and speed.

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  Great idea, hope it is here to stay - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By vksandsek - August 20 - 6:10 am

  The car is a domesticated version of the Opel Astra, made in Belgium. The amenities are too many to list and most are found exclusively on much more expensive autos. I dont know of any other vehicle that you can get with every option in the book at MSRP of 21965, including leather seats, giant sunroof, 6-disc changer, 6 airbags, 4-wheel disk brakes with ABS, sport suspension, stabilitrak, traction control, alloy wheels, computer, remote locks, windows and mirrors, steering wheel controls, cargo cover, theft deterrent system, fog lamps and so many more. I hope Saturn perseveres with this car because it is the only vehicle by GM that has the potential to become a Honda and Toyota slayer.

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  Former Jeep Owner - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By JIMBO - August 20 - 2:00 am

  The price is why I bought (Zero down & Zero interest) and with the options I wanted -- only $17,900 before taxes, title, tags, and $200 prep charge. I have had it for about 3 months and pleased. With two-wheel front-wheel drive handled very well in the snow and ice on a ski trip in January. As roomy inside as the Jeep Grand Cherokee (had 2 over the previous 6 years) but feels cheaper inside, but it is about $8-10K cheaper

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  Former Jeep Owner - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jimbo - August 20 - 2:00 am

  The price is why I bought (Zero down & Zero interest) and with the options I wanted -- only $17,900 before taxes, title, tags, and $200 prep charge. I have had it for about 3 months and pleased. With two-wheel front-wheel drive handled very well in the snow and ice on a ski trip in January. As roomy inside as the Jeep Grand Cherokee (had 2 over the previous 6 years) but feels cheaper inside, but it is about $8-10K cheaper

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  The Vue is good, the noise is too loud - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By spcljac - August 18 - 4:23 pm

  I bought my Vue brand new in 2004. The reliablity is good. The rear motor on the back window is going, the mileage is great 22 in the city and 27- 28 on the highway. The comfort level is good. The problem is the road noise is terrible. Even with all the windows up you can hear all the road noise, it is deafening.

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  Great car, great value! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Leaf - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I used Edmunds ratings when I started my new car search, and was surprised at how harshly they treated Saturn. My experience with them has been excellent, and so I gave the Ion a try. After driving the higher rated cars in this class, I came home to Saturn. The Ecotech engine is not new; theyve been using it since 2000 and its *very* good. The safety features just got a 5 star rating, and I love the styling, inside and out. No, its not a BMW, but for its class, its a terrific value and the standard features are impressive. Take the 24 hour test drive and check out the various Saturn newgroups.

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  Defective Vehicle Design - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By dinof - August 15 - 5:26 am

  After owning the vehicle for 6 months and having put less than 5,000 miles on the odometer, I have to say that the build quality is poor to say the least. Both of my underdoor plastic rocker panels are separating from the body creating large gaps thru which the fasteners and road surface can be seen. Neither dealer nor Saturn Customer Service have any fix. Both say the problem is occurring on other Auras.