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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  great car!! - 2004 Saturn ION
  By stevesteve21 - October 4 - 2:00 am

  This car is fantastic. I love the styliling and the handling

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  Im gonna miss this car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By captreynolds - October 2 - 10:30 am

  I bought this car 4 years ago with 59K miles already on it. 2 months ago, I totalled it in a rollover. First off, Im completely unscathed--I had a couple minor cuts and a little whiplash. Secondly, in 4 years, I took this car to 147K miles--nearly 90K miles--and I had one major repair around 125K, when my timing belt tensioner went out. I had another repair bill over a grand about 5K miles earlier, but that was for the AC fan, wheel bushings in both front wheels, alignment, a radiator flush, and a tuneup. You know, normal wear and tear. This car ran and ran and ran and ran, with good fuel economy (~26-29 mpg) a smooth ride (though a little noisy) in almost all weather. Would buy again.

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  Love this SUV! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By gb - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Saturn, and the Saturn dealership experience cant be beat. I cant get over how NICE this VUE is for the price! The handling is precise, the engine is peppy (could use a tiny bit more horsepower but wouldnt necessarily want to sacrifice the great gas mileage.) It has the most comfortable drivers seat of any car Ive owned, and its easy for everyone to step in and out of the car (a big plus with kids!) The sport edition with all the "free" upgrades makes for an incredible deal, Im loving the CD player, sunroof and alloy wheels everyday!

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  Love this SUV! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By GB - October 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Saturn, and the Saturn dealership experience cant be beat. I cant get over how NICE this VUE is for the price! The handling is precise, the engine is peppy (could use a tiny bit more horsepower but wouldnt necessarily want to sacrifice the great gas mileage.) It has the most comfortable drivers seat of any car Ive owned, and its easy for everyone to step in and out of the car (a big plus with kids!) The sport edition with all the "free" upgrades makes for an incredible deal, Im loving the CD player, sunroof and alloy wheels everyday!

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  Sky High - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Randy Brown - September 30 - 6:20 pm

  Awesome vehicle, great performance with the turbo, better than expected gas mileage (better than EPA estimates). A real head-turner. Handling is outrageous. There must be glue on the tires.

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  Cant find anything wrong with it. - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By dar4113 - September 30 - 10:00 am

  I have had my new Vue for one month. I have not been able to find anything wrong with it.(and I have tried) Drove from Marietta Georgia to Lady Lake, Florida on less than two tanks of gas.

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  My Saturn ION 2 - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Ms Toni - September 28 - 5:10 pm

  I love my Saturn ION 2. I have driven over 12,000 miles in 8 months with no problems. I also love the service I receive when I take my car in for scheduled service, the service is great. I really recommend this car.

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  Now its a fun car - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By JerryR. - September 26 - 7:36 am

  The Red Line Turbo a cool car for the price but at 260 horsepower not as quick as I wanted it but with the GM boost package at $758. installed the power went to 290 and no lag from the turbo and now a fun car to drive. One problem I have a rattle in the dash area that no one can seem to correct and its driving me crazy. Need more luggage room so Im looking at a removal luggage rack suggested by one of the reviews. My little red sports car now at almost 300 horsepower is a fun car to drive.

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  Very Nice Car - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By Frankie C - September 26 - 4:26 am

  I was looking for a mid 20k priced vehicle and found it with the Aura. Good features and ride, excellent build quality. Its economical and good on the environment (low emissions). While it is only a 4cyl, it accelerates very well( merging onto the highway). Gas mileage is close to what was advertised and I only have 1000 miles on it so far. Looks much more expensive than it costs. I looked at the Malibu (I like the Auras looks better),Altima, Jetta, Camry, Sonata (cheap feel) and Fusion (I would also have bought the Fusion if not for the $ GM saved me on a pull ahead program). 0% interest rebates and got 3 yrs maint thrown in too! Often gets mistaken for an Acura or Audi on the street.

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  Great College SUV - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Lillian - September 25 - 9:43 pm

  This car was purchased for my daughter to travel back and forward to college. We love the reliability, OnStar, and cargo space. We no longer have to haul her college supplies. She enjoys the interior space and thrilled with its handling. Im no longer worried when shes on the road. Her only complaint is the gas mileage, however, shes a college kid and has to purchase her own gas.