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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  Very Impressed - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Gary - August 20 - 4:13 am

  There is great value in this car. I honestly would not of considered a Saturn, except a relative got me a discount. Im glad he did. This car has manners, power, very good build quality and good looks. I have been pretty much a foriegn car owner, both German and Japanese. This car has changed my mind about American cars.

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  Bang for your Buck - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Bmann - August 17 - 2:13 am

  The Vue is by far the best value in the midsize SUV category!

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  Love my Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By enduraca - August 15 - 10:43 am

  Awesome Power and Comfort

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  Another great Saturn! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By TCKG - August 15 - 2:00 am

  This is our 3rd Saturn and as with each one we have yet to be disappointed in any aspect, performance, quality, reliability, etc... The VUE handles very well even in the worst winter weather. Its fun to drive!!! Its roominess and comfort make for pleasant road trips.

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  If not for the fuel economy and the snow - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Marco2068 - August 12 - 6:53 am

  We bought this car for the advertized fuel economy and to buy American. I alway buy AWD, but thought FWD would be fine and thought mild increase in fuel economy would be good. Wrong!This car cant get out of its own way in the snow. Its so heavy in the rear there is no weight on the front tires. Forget about pulling onto a street after a snowstorm. The MPG is 15.5 at best. You can get near the 24 on the highway if you dont exceed 65 MPH. All in all, 15.5 is not 16-24 that they advertize. I am a sad consumer when 2 of the three reasons I bought it were a fraud.

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  Its a winner! - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By jerry mayer - August 11 - 12:33 am

  Have the first one on the road here in MD. Berry Red, tan interior, 3.5 litre engine, sunroof and package with additional electronics. Well, one week later and its still a great ride! Tight handling, quiet cabin and great looks. Wish it got the fuel numbers the Dodge Caliber gets, but hey, I have more power to boot. Quick take offs are indeed that. No complaints here. I drove most of the comparable cars by Ford/Mercury, Toyota, Honda, GM, ect...this is the best of the best for me. Drive one and enjoy the ride. Saturn got it right.

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  Great SUV - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By donsand - August 10 - 2:00 am

  My first Saturn was a 1995 brand new SL and I go great gas milage. Traded in for a new 1997 SL2 and traded that in for a 2001 L200. Just got the new V^ Vue and like the other cars it rides great and I havent had a lick of trouble with it. WOW what power with the 3.5 V6 250 horse power!

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  Best car Ive had - 2004 Saturn ION
  By tbachli - August 10 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned Saturns for many years now. Saturn seems very committed to my satisfaction. I had hardly any problems with my old one, which was 10 years old and had 150,000 miles on it, and when I did it was inexpensive to fix. My new one is awesome.

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  2004 ion 3 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By nataliewud - August 10 - 2:00 am

  THIS IS THE BEST SATURN WE HAVE DRIVEN. EVEN BEFORE WE HAVE 600 MILES ON THE VEHICLE WE ARE GETTING 30 MPG. LOVE IT.

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  Best bet out there - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By RICHARD - August 8 - 10:13 am

  I love this car. Sure it has a couple of downfalls, but nothing major and nothing I didnt notice before I bought it. I am getting great gas mileage, about 29 in city, 34 on hwy. I would ask that anyone drive this car before you buy, you will be glad you did..