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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  Go for it! - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Jay - April 15 - 3:20 pm

  The 06 is a great improvement over our 03 VUE AWD. We still have the 03 and now have an 06 brother for her. I really enjoy the acceleration and the ride height. The interior seems tighter now and has improved to what you would expect out of a car. I really like the new seat material and the heated seats. I would of never bought heated seats for a car, now I wouldnt buy one without it. The new Euro style exterior design is most appealing. The wind and engine noise is less now. The VUE is no more of a soccer moms car than any other, if you want to impress the chicks, buy a sports car. If you want to save the money and buy an enjoyable SUV that wont break your wallet, go for the VUE

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  I love IT - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Iittlebugs246 - April 9 - 10:00 am

  The buying process was great. Love the car, the 6cd MP3 player. Its nice and fun to drive.

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  OK car - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Rita - April 2 - 6:13 pm

  I bought my 2006 Saturn ion new in April, 2006. For the first three years, it was perfect. However, in 2009 the power window on the drivers side quit working and it cost $300 to fix. The next thing was some sort of crazy quirk that froze the key in the ignition. After spending towing fees and replace the ignition, I found out that it might have been caused by parking it too long with the wheels turned hard left. (I know, I know - sounds goofy, but now I always make sure the wheels are perfectly in line when I park.) anyway, it does get good gas mileage (I have a long commute), it is ok comfort wise for a car of its class. However, if it does anything else, I am going to trade it.

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  New Vue Owner - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Rick - March 29 - 4:30 pm

  Recommend over the Equinox. V6 has much better performance and fuel economy versus the V6 in the Equinox. Very quiet car. Transmission shifts very smoothly. Seat arm rests need a bit more length. Foglamp performance is terrible.

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  offroadvue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By offroadvue - March 28 - 10:00 am

  the vue drives very quiet and smooth almost like its eletric it shifts so nice and easy you cant hardly feel it accels pretty nice also I rearly drive it but my wife loves it plus it has massive safty features thats what i love about the Saturn VUE good job you all! THUMBS UP!

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  Saturn Sky - A Winner - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Shagguy - March 28 - 6:33 am

  Excellent vehicle. Very satisfied. Corners very well, average pick up off the line. I was not looking for a racing vehicle. I wanted a fun car and I got it. I have owned Corvettes and RXs. This rates right up there in the fun to drive category. Thanks Saturn !

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  Saturn VUE - 2002 model - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By jhs0463 - March 25 - 2:00 am

  The Saturn VUE 6 cylinder AWD vehicle handels like a car. Front seats are comfortable with easy access to controls.

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  Saturn VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Richard - March 23 - 11:16 pm

  The car on smooth surface is really nice, no excessive road noise. When driving on bumpy surface it rattles like an old car. Fuel mileage was the reason I purchase the VUE. I am disappointed. The best miles per gallon that Ive gotten on the highway is 4 miles per gallon less than the sticker, 24 vs the stated 28.

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  Saturn got it right. - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By DOK - March 23 - 11:43 am

  All in all, a well balanced package of performance, practicality, and value. The 3.5 V6 has yet to leave me wanting for power while maneuvering in traffic, but the smooth 4 speed transmission to which its attached is not the most willing participant in more enthusiastic driving. Handles well and rides comfortably. 70-80 mph freeway cruising with 2-3 passengers yields about 27 MPG at the pump, dropping to the lower twenties with more city use. Driver seat comfort is good with fully adjustable seat and tilt/telescoping wheel. Rear room and comfort are also good, but the abrasive plastic on the front seatbacks could leave shorts/skirt attired passengers with scraped knees if not careful.

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  Nice, reliable vehicle - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By altomi - March 20 - 2:53 am

  A few issues, but nothing too serious. Had to replace strut (making noise again after replaced), drive-shaft bearing, wheel bearing. No issues with Honda engine or transmission. Performance is fabulous, but there are some minor issues, such as; wind noise, quite a bit of road noise, radio cuts out intermittently - although sound system sounds fantastic. Overall, I have been very happy with performance and comfort.