5 Star Reviews for Saturn

Overview & Reviews

Average Score

4.30/5 Average
3,767 Total Reviews
Make Overview:

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:

Showing 681 through 690 of 3,767.00
  • Mine, all mine - 2007 Saturn Sky
    By -

    This is the most exciting small vehicle to hit the road. My husband and I have been in the auto business over 40 yrs each and in the "high end". We have retired and having the most incredible time in our baby. We are the center of attraction everywhere we go and it has been called everything from a Corvette to a Viper. My husband used to be a rally driver so he knows how to handle this car. It sticks like glue and a dream to drive. It has been years for me to drive a stick shift but fell into changing gears immediately. It is so easy. Keep it up Saturn, we give it 500%.

  • I love my car! - 2003 Saturn VUE
    By -

    My Saturn Vue is a five speed manual and it is so fun to drive! I have not had a single problem in over two years. It is extremely safe and great to travel in. I am in college so money is tight, but this gets excellent gas milaege. I usually get about 28mpg.

  • Saturn review - 2007 Saturn VUE
    By -

    Ive owned my Vue Hybrid since April and enjoy the gas mileage tremendously. I like the way the car looks and the comfort of the interior. Ive had a problem with the rear passenger side door rattling. I took it to the dealer last week and it doesnt rattle as much, but it still rattles. Other than that Ive had no problems with it.

  • Best Car I Have Ever Owed! - 2007 Saturn Aura
    By -

    It is so much fun to drive. It handles great. It has a lot of get up and go. I got my car on 12-5-06 and I love it. Now my husband wants to trade our 2003 Saturn VUE for one for him. This is my 3rd Saturn and I will only buy a Saturn VUE for my SUV and I will only buy a Saturn Aura for my sedan.

  • Never thought Id meet a Saturn I liked - 2008 Saturn Aura
    By -

    Buying this car was an accident. I have driven Volvos for 12 years now, and decided to check this car out when shopping. Boy was I surprised - pleasantly. The car is beautiful to look at (if you get past the tail looking like it was caught in vice- grips).18" wheels are beautiful, horsepower very good, interior style, excellent. I had a lot of tire problems - took dealer 10 tires to get rid of roll-out on the Goodyears. Other than that only time will tell. There are some things I would design differently, but all in all this is an amazing American car. Back seat room is great - driver entry is not. Center pillar needs moved back about 3-4" for easier ingress and egress.

  • i dno - 2002 Saturn VUE
    By -

    i love this car its very nice and affordable

  • The Vue outperforms - 2005 Saturn VUE
    By -

    Take some time to understand how this vehicle works. It is an economical car that can give you a pleasant drive back and forth to work. I take this SUV to work everyday for a 70 mile round trip. Is comfortable and economical. I am the type of driver that doesnt need to show much power when driving, but when in need I press for power, and this one delivers. Hopefully people will start looking at the VUEs as the best value and economy. When now a days the gasoline prizes are higher everyday. The 2.2 liter engine duplicates the capacity of many Japanese trucks in the past. This makes it a good match that proves that you dont need anymore power that the 143 horse-power.

  • Good car for the money! - 2005 Saturn VUE
    By -

    I really enjoyed my 2005 Saturn Vue. I had to give it up though because of the monthly payments, but I would buy another one in a heart beat. I wish the gas mileage was better at 22, but hey its prety good for a SUV. They improved the exterior design alot in 2007 and redid it in 2008, so I cant complain there. We only had the gas cap fail the emissions, other than that we didnt have many problems. I recommend it!

  • This Saturn is a winner - 2007 Saturn Aura
    By -

    I had gone to the Saturn dealer to check of the VUE Hybrid, but staring at me in the showroom was the Aura. The car has stunning looks both inside and out. After test driving the Aura, I knew I had to own it. The Aura has been a great car. The steering is very responsive and the cars handles great. I only problem I have with the Aura is the steering wheel. First, I wish it would tilt. The Aura steering wheel is telescopic and even goes up and down. This is satisfactory, but a tilt wheel would have been better. The other problem with the steering wheel is that the driver controls are too small. Now that it is winter and I am wearing gloves, it is difficult to press the buttons.

  • What a great car! - 2003 Saturn ION
    By -

    I think this car is highly underrated. We had a bad experience with a previous Saturn, but the ION has been a godsend. Very reliable, very sporty, very fun to drive! The battery in the trunk is unique and very convenient for my needs.

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