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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  3,5,R wave plate - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By angila_meyer - November 27 - 9:01 pm

  We bought our Aura used with 44k miles on it. We currently have 66k. I really love this car. However recently the wave plate went out in the Transmission while I was on my way to work. So I stopped at this repair shop right across the street. I had them look at the car. (keeping it over night) They informed me that the wave plate was the issue and my car was undrivable. So my Fiance go a hold of GM and let them know the issue. They got back to us saying its a known issue that they fixed with the 2009 version but basically since we were past five years even though we are under the 100k for the warranty we are out of luck. So by admitting fault but are leaving us stuck with a 4k bill.

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  Wow! A Saturn! - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By tim f - November 21 - 4:33 am

  I love my VUE. it has superior acceleration, handles smoothly, and looks great. The transmission is so smooth that you cannot feel it shift. I was leary at first about all that plastic, but no more. The only negative is the cheesy plastic interior fixtures. Cmon, guys, for $24000, you can do better.

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  2004 Saturn Ion. Great Car for the Money - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Elf - November 16 - 10:00 am

  In 2006 I bought this one owner vehicle used and in pristine condition with only 2,874 miles on it. With the low miles and great appearance I have always considered it as a "new" car purchase. A couple of months ago (June, 2010) I finally replaced the original tires as well as the cars battery. The battery to my surprise was located in the trunk. This was my fourth new car and the first that the battery lasted over 2 years. I guess with it being located in the trunk and away from all of the engine heat it was a good idea after all. Its not a sports car so when cornering at high rates of speed it kinda feels like it wants to get away from you. While driving the interior noise level is low.

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  My Saturn (VUE) - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By OLD T - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This may sound silly, but I really dont like the styling of my VUE. I bought it due to the large doors and my wife is a total care person, I must lift her in and out of the Saturn. Orange peel paint. Slopping steering. Maybe I will get used to it? (the steering)

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  Nice Car!!!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By kn - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Havent had it long enough to tell you much -- 2 days -- but I am impressed with it so far.

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  Saturn Ion 4 door sedan review - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Betty Dopheide - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Over all I am pleased with my Ion. For a 4 cyl. car it has good response when you put you foot to the excelleration pedal.

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  I had 1987 Camarillo iron z28 and 2001 blazer need - 2009 Saturn VUE
  By Eliezwe - October 19 - 1:34 pm

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  Ion 3, fingers crossed - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Craig - October 6 - 5:20 pm

  Bought it used at 29k now with 34k. Security system shut car down and I had to wait a little bit. I like the car a lot and have a lot of compliments on it. My best city mileage is 26mpg .

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  First Saturn - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By hgranat - October 4 - 7:46 am

  I purchased the XE model with the 4-Cylinder after comparing the CR-V, Ford Escape, Mitsubishi Outlander and Mercury Mariner. The Saturn had the best look to it and best features for the money and the quietest ride - also for the American brands had the best resale value. I have had a few fit and finish issues that the dealer easily fixed. Another posting mentioned a problem with the 4 speed automatic transmission with erratic behavior and gear-dropping to accelerate. Last week during the recall for the "Brake Control Module" the transmission was reprogrammed and works significantly better - like it should have in the first place. Performance is greatly enhanced!

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  Great for commuting, not as family car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By nixchick - September 17 - 3:36 pm

  I am getting 28 mpg average. It did not take long at all to get use to having the gage display in the middle of the display. I dont have the 4 dr model, it is more like the red line model with the 2 door coupe with the suicide back doors, but it is not the red line. My kids love the back doors. The back seats are very tight for my 6 and 8 year old. Add back packs in the morning and it is very tight. The trunk is HUGE!! Fold down the back seats and you really have a lot of space. The 4 cyl engine does not like hills. I use the "I" gear, as the manual suggests for hills and twisty roads, and it really drinks the gas. I get about the same mileage as I do with my suburban on the "I".