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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  Watch out! - 2007 Saturn ION
  By JL - April 19 - 4:10 am

  I bought new in 10/07 and only after one month, problems arose. Poor gas mileage for city. It tries to stall while idle, multiple steering issues, vibrations, rattles, plus a knocking sound coming from the back of the car and now, poor acceleration with 4th gear. Replaced headlight, grill, fuel pump, whole exhaust system, power steering- column, shaft, four new tires (two tires separated (bubbled). Overall service received POOR. I just want the car fixed! No dealer will pay a descent trade value. Saturn wont fix tranx unless it codes on computer. "I have to wait for it to get worse before it can get better." I hate this car! BBB doesnt even consider it a lemon, because it hasnt stalled.

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  What Relay did I Buy?? - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By SpanglishScienceMom - April 15 - 11:46 pm

  Wow! After reading all these great reviews, Im wondering if we are talking about the same vehicle. The mpg has never been over 16.8, and thats w/all freeway driving. In the summer during the hotest days of Aug, the A/C refused to work twice. When usung the A/C mpg tops out at 15.1. Lots of minor molding, door sticking, cup holder derailing issues. Met other Saturn owner at dealership w/ identical issues plus they suffered oil leaks that were not satisfactorily handled. I miss my 91 4-Runner!

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  piece of junk - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By angryenuff - April 7 - 3:49 am

  i bought my saturn at a buy here pay here place.it looked like a great car and it seemed like a great car till 6 months after i bought it and the tranny went out in the 100,000 mile marker.now im being told it s my problem.so i was so irate that they had to of known and i dont have the money to repair it .i told them to shove that car were the sun doesnt shine.oh well there goes my credit.dont buy this car unless you have a lot of extra money to waist on repairs.

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  2004 Saturn Vue Next Problem Come on Dwn - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Philip Wardlow - March 21 - 2:36 am

  I bought my Saturn brand new with 16 miles on the odometer. After that is was all downhill, first the they had a recall on the back suspenstion, then the CD player didnt work right (even after servicing and replacing it with a new one, ignition module went bad, then oxygen sensor, then control coil on ignition module, then ignition module AGAIN, then motor on rear wiper, hazard light button fell into the dash board, the front struts, then right axle problem. Now guess what just happened this week the engine light came on. Then I starte losing acceleration a little. Ive done regular oil changes, air filter changs, fuel injector cleanings & maintenance. Its a piece of crap. Dont buy a VUE

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  Terrible Resale - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By TCW - March 20 - 7:00 am

  I bought the Saturn Vue after totaling my 2007 Altima (which I LOVED). I wish that I wouldve gotten something MUCH more stylish. It was decent on gas, but the road noise was too loud for me to even use my bluetooth headset to talk on the phone! I just got rid of it because I dont like the "soccer mom" look, and the resale value was AWFUL! I loved the service but need something MUCH cuter to drive.

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  marginal - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By denise - March 6 - 9:56 am

  I purchased my VUE based on largely on the sticker mileage of 27-32 mph. HAHA!!! Im getting 22-24 around town and 28-30 on the freeway (average driving, not a lead foot). I got around the same mileage with my Accord EX which had a V6 engine and was a much smoother ride. Plus Ive had to have the hybrid battery replaced once already. I like the cargo area for my dog and the interior space is good for both front and back seat passengers. But Id get something else if I got to choose all over again

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  Nice looks, poor quality - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By jswig - March 4 - 11:48 am

  The Outlook looks very nice. This is the reason my wife and I decided to purchase this vehicle. We didnt know they had lots of problems. Have had wheel bearings go bad at only 65,000 miles. Have leaks around the sunroof, back rotors replaced, various exterior lights not working, and now at 74000 miles the transmission is bad. This is very common with this vehicle. Buyers beware, do plenty of research first. Im only writing this to help others out so they dont find themselves in the same situation Im in. Go with a newer Ford or Honda --- trust me. You dont want a vehicle from a company that had to get the bailout.

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  Started every day, outdoors, in Twin Cities winter - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Tommy Boye - February 10 - 12:23 am

  hard to get into and out of.

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  Not good - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By scatter - January 18 - 4:03 pm

  A fast little SUV for the expressway. I bought this VUE for the Honda engine that does exactly what its supposed to do for power and economy. Thats where the fun ends with the Saturn. The VUE is definitely inferior to any import Ive owned for build quality . I am shocked at what a noisy rattle trap this VUE is. My VUE is becoming a regular at the service department for weird problems. Im surprised that GM is making a cheap rattle trap like this. I am sorry i didnt buy a "real" Honda. This car is a crackerbox. The road noise inside the car is disgusting at highway speeds.

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  DONT BUY THIS VAN - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Give the van back - January 1 - 1:20 am

  This vehicle is horrible. Yes the interior is nice but the ABS and stablization controls are always broken. Sliding doors will randomly open - or they may not open at all - its a gamble. Have to press the gas to get it started - engine has a hard time turning over. Lights flicker. Saturn will tell you this is "normal" - but its still not acceptable. They should all be recalled and demolished.