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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  Dodged a bullet so far - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By wardell - December 28 - 7:30 pm

  Have had my Vue (bought used in 2004) without any problems until the last 6 months. Transmission acted up, dealer purchased from wanted $5K to replace. Fortunately I found an honest Saturn deal who not only honored the GM lawsuit and only charged me 25% to repair, but when the repair did not work replaced the transmission for free. I love the car roominess and mileage, but Im just planning to get another year out of while I save for a replacement. Good luck to others, since GM is bankrupt they likely will no longer honor the terms of the lawsuit.

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  Why I bought an 04 Ion 3 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By gcuffari - December 24 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1996 SL, put 175,000 miles on. Found new ION more attractive, appreciated interior space, higher head room, less "crouch" to enter and exit car. Purchased storm gray - color sold the car. Dealership OK, unlike years past, new Saturn sales reps more like traditional car salesmen (unfortunately). I have also had good experience with their service dept - they try hard to get you in fast and wash car when through. I like the cost benefit with Saturn in terms of reliability. Compared to Honda Civic, Huyndai, I felt offered a little more prestige for price.

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  Fun and efficient! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Hi-Gloss - December 18 - 9:46 am

  Bought my Ion used, mainly for the gas mileage since I drive about 2500 miles a month. It doesnt disappoint, averaging 30 (mostly highway driving). Styling is a little quirky, but it works. The rear doors on the coupe are a big plus! Ive had no problems with the car; build quality is better than I expected from Saturn. Its quieter and better handling than most cars of its size, and comfort is about equal although the steering wheel is too far a reach. I sell cars for a living, and had my choice of several comparable cars. Im happy I chose the Ion.

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  Yes and No - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By VueOwner - December 13 - 10:56 pm

  Bought the 03 VUE used w/ 60K on it. Have had it in the shop for minor things, (compass came out of mirror, squaky steering column, etc) repairs costly. Okay ride but noisy at high speeds, low quality shocks. Enough power to take on Mtn highways and some dirt trails, easy to maneuver in city traffic. Cheap plastic interior and easily stained carpets and seats. But somehow, I still like it!

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  Big and comfortable and flexible - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By BBaltz - December 12 - 8:33 pm

  We were looking for a 7-8 passenger vehicle and chose the Outlook over the CX-9. The Outlooks extra space was well worth it. Ive sat in the rear row with my daughter with no problem. The middle row has all the room of a limousine when pushed all the way back. My wife gets ~17 mpg in all-city driving. I get 20-24 mpg on the highway but driving over 65 really kills the mileage the faster you go. This was our first GM car and we had a number of build quality issues: catching compartment door, finicky reading-light switches, dead seat heater. It was one of the first 1000 built though if I read the VIN correctly.

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  Steering Problems - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By rosemarycars - December 4 - 11:23 pm

  Steering wheel problems, were scheduled to be fixed the third time,..decided on trading the car in,...took a beating.To much plastic in the interior of the car, have to be really careful, with kids, regarding the scratches.Trans., was starting to slip, dealership at Chevy told us try not to accelerate, after stopping, press on the accelerator slowly, to avoid this problem.

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  Pleased - 2007 Saturn ION
  By Pleased - December 4 - 5:40 am

  I bought my Saturn used (22000 miles). Ive only had it for 4 months, but I am extrememly pleased. Gas mileage is great 26/27 in town, 31/33 highway. I find that the car has plenty of power and I like the ease of parking. The only drawback is the comfort level. Im not a small guy, 511" 250+. I find that theres not a lot of leg room for the driver. Of course I was driving an F150 before.

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  Great--But - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By JAW - December 3 - 5:36 am

  I have had 2 cars by Saturn and loved them both. I like everthing about this new (07) Outlook but the MPG is nothing liked advertized. My wife gets mad just getting in the car. Which makes it had to use. Perhaps I need more time. I only have 3,000+ miles.

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  nice car but it has major leaking issues - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By unfancynancy - December 2 - 7:00 am

  I have a 2008 Saturn Outlook and recently had some major leaking problems (like having to hold a cup to catch a lot of water!) I turned the corner and my car sounded like a bucket of water sloshing from side to side. That same evening, water started leaking through all the seams in the front of my car (ie: the airbags on the side columns, the 3 buttons used for remote openers, my visor and the emergency brake area etc... ) I also had warning lights and alarms going off because there was water in my electrical system! I had the car towed to the Saturn dealership and they claimed it was a problem with the drain flaps. I dont have room for more. Check out Edmunds Forums for my full post.

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  4th Saturn -- good made better - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Taluga - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Compared to my much-loved 97 SL2, the Ion 3 is taller, roomier, has more cargo area. The electric steering and the center-mounted gauges take a little getting-used-to, but the handling in the dry and the wet is excellent. Gas mileage runs a couple of mpg lower. Power profile means different shift points and a learning curve. Strong buy recommendation.