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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  Last Gasp - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By UlaMle - January 18 - 10:00 am

  For its price this car is unbeatble. And Ive owned some really great cars: a grandsport corvette, a 72 T-Bird, a Datsun 280-Z... to name a few. Best mpg is 33 highway 22 average. Corners like its on tracks. Extremely reliable and easy to own. My original tires are just now wearing out at 63,000+ miles. My opinion, just before a brand "breathes its last breath" the manufacturer produces something fantastic. Others in this catefory: Studebaker Avanti, AMC 390cid, Oldsmobile Aurora multiple year INDY winner. Too bad the manufacturers dont have better vision

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  The New Mustang - 2004 Saturn ION
  By atheav - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I dont know what the editors problem with the vehicle is, I find it perfectly fine and people are always asking what kind of car it is. With the rear spoiler she almost looks like an improved mustang. For those afraid of getting lemons, look for a warranty on top of the one that already comes with it, that offers a 30 day/1500 mile free replacement warranty. Where if anything goes wrong with the car that is the manufacturers fault within that time frame, the car will automatically be replace, thats what I was offered at my dealership, not all may do it though.

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  Great bang for the buck - 2004 Saturn ION
  By chris parks - January 13 - 7:40 am

  Ive owned my ION for over a year now and I have 0 complaints. It still runs great and Ive had no problems whatsoever. I actually like the grille of my car better than the 05 model. The interior fit and finish could be a little better, but other than that its great. I especially like the 25 mpg around town! A++

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  VisionVueOutlook - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Watson - January 12 - 2:00 am

  Bought 4 with 5. Great fun

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  I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS SUV!!! - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Eric (Modesto, CA) - January 7 - 2:00 am

  Never in a million years would I have seen myself in an SUV. I was always the person saying "Ill be driving a CAR for life!" But the Saturn VUE changed my mind. This SUV is not only fun to drive, but its affordable, gets GREAT gas milage, and the insurrance is relatively cheap. This SUV is a vast improvment from my Dodge. But this SUV still provides all the comforts of a car. Ive driven some SUVs before that feel tipsy (Chevy Blazer). THIS SUV IS AMAZING! Tons of standard features plus many more available at a decent price. This SUV not only has a great reputation, but is the ONLY SUV you should consider!!!!

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  GREAT CAR - 2004 Saturn ION
  By RMUHCKY22 - January 3 - 10:00 am

  GREAT CHOICE. GREAT SERVICE. EVEN BETTER CAR. MY ION 3 SPECIAL EDITION IS SPORTY YET CLASSY AT THE SAME TIME PERFECT FOR THE QUALITY YET ECONOMICALLY MINDED. THIS CAR HAS IT ALL FOR A GREAT PRICE!

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  Brand New Saturn Outlook 2007 - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Kenny - January 2 - 8:43 am

  I was impressed when I read the reviews, more impressed when I test drove one. But when my wife drove and said she loved it we had to buy it. I traded in a 2005 Dodge Magnum R/T (hemi) for this XR Outlook and Im not sorry I did. In my opinion, what a beautiful car/ crossover it is. Im a big guy and I am so comfortable driving it. Plus, all the safety features, 3 different sets of airbags to protect you no matter what happens, AWD, traction control and the super audio system with the sub-woofer sounds incredible, the car rides quiet, no wind noise. I feel that its alot of car for the money.

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  What a Great SUV! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By happy camper 2 - December 31 - 10:00 am

  Weve only had our VUE about a week, but it drives and runs great. I talked to many people about Saturn before making the decision to buy, but have been a happy camper ever since.

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  New Aura - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Gary - December 26 - 12:46 pm

  This new Saturn did something that I thought would never happen, I bought a Saturn. After trading in my 2003 MINI I have not looked back. The Saturn is more pleasant to drive and certainly has more power. The switches and controls are much more intuitative and are easier to reach. The interior looks and feels like a much more expensive car. The body looks more German (in a good way) than a lot of German cars do. Is it as nice as a loaded 3 series BMW? No it isnÂ’t but at close to 20 thousand dollars less for a comparably equipped car it certainly is a bargain. If you want a sport sedan with a lot of comfort and luxury features at a fair price there is no other choice.

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  Great Product! - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Astra Dome - December 25 - 2:53 am

  Ive been in the compact car market for the past several years. During that time, I was driving a GMC Crew Sierra. Every time the gas price rose I would go out and test the small cars, Pontiac Vibe, Ford Focus, Toyota Prius and so on. I grew a real fondness for the Vibe. It was fun to drive and felt solid and reactive. The Astra is better. First time I drove one, I knew this was the one. The price point and features..to me was a no brainer. I look for any reason to take the car out for a drive. The main complaint that most people seem to have is the lack of cup holders and storage. Maybe we need to learn some things from our European friends about "conservatism". Fit/Finish A+