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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  Good so far - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Corey - August 16 - 6:30 am

  Ive had the 2005 VUE V-6 for about 15000 miles. Gas mileage is a consistent 28 highway and 20-22 around town. Good leg room all around... good power when needed. Crash test ratings re high for this vehicle. With all of that factored in, my overall opinion is usually formed when I hit about 120k - 130k miles. If there are no major problems by then, then Im usually satisfied that Ive gotten my moneys worth.

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  Thankfully trading it in - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Alex - August 13 - 7:30 pm

  This cars bad points outweigh the good. After long trips it shuts off at your first stop light. No room in the back. Forget about a rear-facing infant seat - no matter where you put it you will crush the person in front. Went through 4 sets of tires in 3 years because nobody could align properly. Interior stains from rain coming in the windows - (no matter what direction/how hard the rain it pours right in the window). Too many electrical/mechanichal problems to count (most but not all under warranty)

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  2003 ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Nerissa - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased my ION Sedan, previously I owned a 2001 VW Jetta. The ION does not have the performance of the Jetta, but in terms of interior room and comfort it wins hands down. I love my ION!

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  Our first ever new car - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Vicky - August 2 - 12:03 am

  The Saturn Ion 1 is a good quality car easy on gas and even easier to drive. We are so much more than please with our choice to purchase a Saturn.

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  Satisfied customer - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Satisfied customer - August 1 - 2:20 am

  Great car. Quiet, responsive, reliable. Only problmes have occurred with key fob not working at all or not working properly -- have had to take car in four times concerning the problem. Problem ended up being with electrical equipment inside car, rather than faulty key fob. Seems to be an aberation -- techs at dealership not familiar with any other Auras reportig this problem (lucky me). Would highly recommend car to others.

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  Good Car - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Big Daddy - July 22 - 11:13 pm

  Early this year I unloaded a 12mpg SUV and was looking for a small SUV. I looked at a number of SUVs and settled on the Saturn Vue. I was also looking at a 4 cyl but the dealer said I would most likely be happy with the 6 cyl. Well I have more than happy with this car. My insurance went down due to the 5 star Saturn crash rating. The mpg is very good considering the engine cranks out 250 horsepower, more than enough when you need it.

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  2006 Relay on the road - 2006 Saturn Relay
  By Evets - July 18 - 5:06 am

  This is our fourth Saturn vehicle. We had 2 sport coupes and a 4 door and needed a van. Purchased as a good overall value, we got this van with 1,500 miles for what we would have paid for the "leading minivan" with 70k miles. It rides and performs well and gets good mileage for a vehicle its size. Here about 1 year and 30k later we have some minor fit and finish issues. Its fairly loud at highway speed, theres an annoying windshield howl at 70mph, experienced by a fellow Relay owner as well, some weatherstrip is already coming loose and I have had a minor transmission slip. Hopefully it will hold up a bit better over the long haul. Like the design, just seems the assembly is sloppy.

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  New Vue AWD V6 Owner - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By ZenBro - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Just purchased the AWD, 6 cylinder Vue today. On my return trip of 80 miles, I filled the gas tank up as full as I could get, at a station right on the expressway. I set the trip meter to zero, and proceeded to drive the 80 miles of expressway, with the cruise set at 65mph, and the AC off. I had to pass 4 semitrucks, at a max speed of 75mph. I got off the interstate and refilled the gas tank as full as I could. It took 2.38 gallons to get it completely full. This works out to 33mpg, which is amazing for an AWD vehicle!! I will be keeping track of the gas mileage, to make sure this wasnt an anomaly of any kind, and will report the results.

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  Will drive it until it dies! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By RatPack25 - July 4 - 4:00 pm

  Picked up my Ion new in 03. Car was well priced for what I got (sunroof, auto trans, etc.) Is good gas mileage car, and has enough pep to keep up in city traffic. 3 problems Ive had: hood release cable snapped twice, sunroof cover got jammed (was replaced), and drivers side window has trouble going up and down when its cold (have to hit the door a couple times to make it work). Otherwise, this car has given me no mechanical problems, and has been a very reliable daily driver. I plan on driving it until it dies, or becomes too costly to repair.

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  Tight Fit - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Rob R - July 4 - 3:23 pm

  I couldnt wait for this car to come out however I am disapointed. I looked at the foor door, rides very well, handles good, plenty of pep. However Im 60 and the front seat for me doesnt go back enough, I cant extend my leg all the way on the gas pedal, I would have to drive it with a crimped foot, sorry not in Jersey traffic. If you get the car make sure its for driving up to two people, because when the front seats are all the way back they miss hitting the rear seats by inches.