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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  Best car type vehicle I ever owned - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By DENNIS - May 21 - 12:10 am

  We buy a new truck or car every year since 1996. We purchased the v6 ho engine and we have every option plus we had dual DVD units dealer installed with a little known headrest available option. Grandchildren can sit in the rear buckets and watch the same movie on each unit or different movies with wireless head phones. We immediately left southern Oregon to Boise then Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and so on all the way to Louisiana. We never reset the trip meter the entire trip just filled it up. When we arrived, the dash unit read 23.5mpg I was thrilled. We are temporarily in Louisiana on a project and for 6 months the car gets 12.6 in town, bad. Leather seats are 10. Had 07 Explorer loaded, cant match.

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  2nd Saturn - 2007 Saturn ION
  By jenniferp3 - May 20 - 10:49 pm

  This is the second Saturn that I have owned. I still own the first one. It is 10 years old with 250,000 miles and still going strong. I bought that car young and did not keep up with the maintenance, it has been side swiped, caught on fire and driven cross country twice. Yet, it still lives! I have never put more than a thousand dollars in to it for parts. So of course I bought another one. These are not the most comfortable cars, but for the price thats what you get. My second car has 85,000 miles and is 7 years old and I plan on keeping it for many more years. These are VERY reliable cars

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  Affordable with Eupoean style and more - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By alero02 - May 20 - 5:40 pm

  Weve owned over 30 cars/trucks over the years what with ourselves and a family of young drivers. We owned Nissan, Toyota, Renault, Chevrolet, Pontiac, Dodge, Plymouth, Mitsubishi, and a few more. We had a nice Toyota Sienna mini van, and the last we bought in a foreign brand. It had its problems. But we still shopped and drove a Toyota Camry, Mazda 6, and Saab 9-3. We really liked the Mazda and Saab. The Camry didnt seem as great a car as it has been talked up. Plus the price even with low interest. The Saturn Aura XR-4 won hands down for price, features, safety, and fuel efficiency. We got an Aura XR-4, 6 speed automatic

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  Love my Astra - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By DGW - May 19 - 7:03 am

  I was in the market for a car after keeping my Corolla for 14 years. I went to a Toyota Dealership to test drive the 2010 Matrix and Corolla, and they were good to drive. Went home to recheck my research and I read a review of the Astra on Edmunds.com and was intrigued. After having a bad experience with a Sales person at Toyota, I test drove the Astra and I am so glad I did. I love Saturns approach to sales, and the car is not what I expected. I can see why so many people rave about this car. Best part of my day is driving to and from work now!!

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  1st Sky owner in the area. - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Charles - May 19 - 4:26 am

  Though Ive only owned for a week now, the car is great. You cant stop without a crowd gathering to look at the car. Even the Solstice owner have admitted the love the styling and quality. Wish the top was easier to handle but you get use to it. Styling is the #1 catch. Best money Ive spent. Options such as tonneau cover and car cover are overpriced. Will soon buy another one for the wife.

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  2006 VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Jerry Logreco - May 19 - 4:20 am

  This was my first SUV experience. I also own a Saturn L200 and was so impressed with that vehicle I wanted to try the SUV. The vehicle is an excellent SUV. Drives great and provides enough space to transport fairly large objects. I drove from Oct 06 till now and put 31,000 miles on it with virtually no issues. I just traded it in for a 2007 VUE.

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  Worst vehicle ever! - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By dissapointed9 - May 18 - 7:40 am

  This is the worst vehicle weve ever owned.It was purchased new in 07 & has been a complete dissapointment since.It started with engine problems(cams/housing was manufactured incorrectly) & was in the shop apx. 2 weeks for a rebuild. Within days of this repair, the power steering pump failed. This happened at apx 40,000 miles. This spring the wipers failed, leaving us in a dangerous situation.Within a few months of that incident, the transmission failed and again was in the shop several weeks. Immediately after the transmission repair, the low gears failed to engage. Conveniently, it was a computer problem, so not covered under warranty. Today the dash lights/displays failed.Whats next?

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  Former Corolla/Camry owner... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Photon - May 17 - 10:00 am

  So far more pep than the Corolla; more room than a Camry, seat comfort is some- what of an issue but not bad at all. Its ALOT of vehicle for a lot less money. Cargo-room is especially nice:) Time will tell if these features(and the ride) hold up.

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  Saturn Vue 2003 - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Tigris5959 - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle is very roomy, comfortable, its features are easily accessible. The sound system is very good and there is plenty of room for purchases. The luggage rack that folds out is an innovative idea, too. The ride is smooth and it gets decent gas mileage. Ive only owned it for a short time so I am unable to give any information regarding wear/repairs.

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  my second saturn. more to come - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By classical - May 17 - 10:00 am

  squeek in upper bushings with only 6000 miles. replaced without issues due to excellent customer service. thats what keeps me coming back.