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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  About Hyundai - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Els - March 14 - 10:00 am

  We went to the Hyundai dealer and it was the worst eperience ever. They were the agressive old fashioned sales guys. They wanted us to sign a paper before we even had decided if we wanted the car. Also they wanted to charge us $225.- processing fees, Saturn charges $85.-. Also I would like to know where I can buy a Elantra with moonroof, leather and ABS for less then what we paid for the ION. We love the way it drives, chairs are comfortable, a lot better then the Ford Escort and the trunk is huge.

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  Saturn Hybrid - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Richard - March 13 - 3:33 pm

  I have had my hybrid now for 1000 miles, no significant complaints. There is a blind spot and I am trying to get use to using the big mirrors to overcome it, but may have to buy small stick on mirrors to overcome the flaw. The low rolling resistance tires perform well on highway; the ride isnt as good on local streets or unimproved roads. Gas mileage has been excellent so far, my first tank was 26.3, second 26.5 and after a short road trip, I averaged over 28.7.Still modifying my habits to maximize mileage and keep the "econ light" on. Seats could me more comfortable, power seat on pass side should be an option. Lumbar support adjustment is very good.

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  New Old Review - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Mike F - March 10 - 10:00 pm

  Im currently in the market to replace my Vue. I wanted to write this review to say how there really isnt anything on the market now that is better than this vehicle. If you compare what is important to me, Power, MPG, & Cargo Capacity, the Vue still has the crossover market of 2010 beat. Im sure I can find something that is more comfortable and looks better, but the MPG/HP out there is terrible. And most dont have the cargo room. Ill keep looking, but I think Im still ahead of the game 3.5 years later.

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  Pams Review - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Pamela E. Woodard - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my Saturn Vue. It is beautiful, fun to drive, reliable, and I get great service from Earvin and everyone at Saturn of Union City in Union City, Ga. My only complaint is that I would like better gas mileage, but speaking honestly 18 mpg in a city like aTlanta is not bad and I do get better than 25mpg on the highway. I was recently rear ended by a Tahoe, and the back of my Pumpkin (her name) looks so much better than the front of that Tahoe it is not funny. I plan for all my cars to be Saturns.

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  Common problems shouldnt be "common" - 2006 Saturn ION
  By torianne9 - March 5 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car about a year and a half ago. It was a leased car and it had 20,000 miles. I now have just over 55,000 miles and Ive already had the "common" door sensor problem, which wasnt cheap to fix, where my interior lights wouldnt turn off because my car didnt know that the door was shut and today I had my power steering replaced per warranty coverage. The problems that Saturn has "commonly" shouldnt be common problems. I read online that the power steering problem has cost 14 lives already. And the door sensor is extremely inconvenient. I love my car but I truly hate the "typical" problems that come with it.

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  Great little SUV - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By frank giuliano - March 2 - 3:26 am

  The is a great all around fun SUV. I have the yellow, and everyone seems to love it. The mileage is really around 20 MPG general driving. I have not had any problems with this SUV.

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  SATURN MACHINE - 2004 Saturn ION
  By phil chaney - March 1 - 2:00 am

  nice car and fun to drive

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  Nice car, but many mechanical flaws - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Mark - February 26 - 3:43 am

  Shopped around test drove the Saturn Vue Redline and fell in love with the car. The car has been in the shop the past month. CD player doesnt work. CD freezes and you cant eject it. Door handles stick making it difficult to open the door. Creaking sounds between the dash and the windshield. Currently in a loaner Saturn Vue XR and everything works fine. I actually prefer the XR. The Redline is a Red Flag.

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  Saturn does not get enough credit - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By AJ - February 25 - 9:16 pm

  I love my VUE. Saturn prices are reasonable, we were able to get the top of the line vehicle at a reasonable price compared to other car manufacters. It is fun to drive. I feel safe. It has awesome pick-up, and a smooth ride. This is the second Saturn Ive owned and I am hooked.

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  uncomfortable seats - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By marta Cano - February 19 - 12:53 pm

  The person who designed the drivers seat did not sit in it for long periods of time. I drive 3 hrs everyday and at the end of the day have severe back pain, and at the end of the week I have back pain and neck pain. I told this to a coworker who also owns a Saturn and drives almost as much as I do and his answer was " yes, their seats are not comfortable". My son in law owns an ION and has the same complaint about "their seats are uncomfortable".