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:

• 

  GMAC - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Michael Bodin - January 6 - 7:03 pm

  Vehicle provides great deal of comfort, safety, and power. Handles well. Very smooth on the highway. One car owner and is in excellent condition. Air cond. CD player and FM/AM stereo with double tuning capacity. Cell phone hook-ups in the front and rear. Can attach a double or triple DVD player for the children. Does use regular unleaded with 22 miles per gallon on the highway. Has a Honda V6 size engine with a lot of power. A good family car. Tinted windows with a sun/moon roof. Good storage space in the cargo area. Provides grocery racks to secure your groceries while driving. Spare tire is located under cargo area so does not stick out the rear door. I love this SUV.

• 

  The Vue is Good - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By MikeBreeze - January 5 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Saturn Vue about a month now. I like it alot. The only things I dont like is the noisy 4 cyl engine, the leaning in cornering and the things that I have read about the VTI transmission (mine is OK so far). Other then that, its a great vehicle.

• 

  saturn today - 2004 Saturn ION
  By grover19632003 - January 5 - 2:00 am

  I really like this new ion model my freind has the SL1 and he has enjoyed it also. The ion has a much more sporty look. I usually can not find a car that sits comfortably, but this ion is comfortable. You can not beat the price.I feel that i received alot of car for the low price.

• 

  Love Mine - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Vue This - January 4 - 10:00 am

  I am a 3 time Saturn owner. I bought our 04 Vue new now we have 67k and just turning 4 yrs with it. Had the recall, I follow the service intervals and only have the dealer do the work. Zero dealer problems & pull a 2500# 19 boat multiple times up and over our mountains in Utah and Wyo.When I pass people pulling the boat they look at the car like what the hell. Replaced the tires at 50k brakes are starting to wear and shocks are getting bouncy MPG is great and I will eat most all comers with the preformance of the 250 HP I am 66" and the seats could use some better support and the fabric is wearing I wish the Vue was just a little bigger my 16 & 10 year old need more room in the back.

• 

  So Disappointed! - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Rachel - January 4 - 6:10 am

  This is the first Saturn I have owned. Initially I loved it, great body style, fun to drive, great interior design, and many comfort features. However, I have had my Vue back to the shop 4 times in 6 months. I bought it new and initially they had to fix a dent, a scratch, and replace the inside drivers door secondary to damage. They convinced me to buy the carbright warranty but within a week the leather front seats and arm rests were stained and had to be replaced. I went for the first oil change and they found a cracked washer fluid resevoir that then was replaced. Now the seats are stained again and they will not fix it!

• 

  Great Car So Far - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By rychski - January 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought the Saturn VUE last week.. At this point, I am very satisfied with it. The leather seats are comfortable, there is definately plenty of interior room in the car (5 persons with a total weight of about 900 #)& (65" father)....I climbed into the back and was surprised at the room...Definately better than my 94 Jeep Cherokee (which I thought I would never want to give up!) Anyways, so far so good.....

• 

  my ownership - 2005 Saturn ION
  By frederick le vitre - December 31 - 2:03 pm

  i found the ion to be one of the finest road cars i have ever driven. it handles extremly well at higher speeds and in all weather conditions. i am seriously thinking of purchasing at lease end even though i miss having cruise control.

• 

  New Outlook - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By J Liard - December 26 - 11:23 pm

  Love this CUV. Some mistake for Lexus SUV. Rides like a car and is much bigger inside than it looks. I take it on long trips and itÂ’s very comfortable. Auto climate keeps temperature better than my Oldsmobile. It is a little loud in the cabin as far as engine noise, power steering and air conditioner compressor. Transmission is hard to get used to and it does shift funny even when you let off the gas at highway speed. If you are not heavy on the gas pedal as you start out it seems under powered but there is plenty of it there.

• 

  From A Womans Point of Vue: - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By jacquie - December 26 - 3:16 pm

  I loved my Vue since the day I drove it.I do agree about the noise level -its a little loud from inside the car. Could be better. Seats are heated so I dont think they can get softer. Gas mileage is great. Better than my Tahoe was. Dont think it handles that great in snow,I was more confident with the Tahoe.But its a nice drive with Excellent Pick-up for the hi-way. Tires & brakes wore out faster than I think they should.(30,000 mi)Otherwise, I think I will keep it for awhile longer. It looks so nice clean too. And its easy to clean.The seats all fold down and Ive carried lots in it, and the dog loves the back too. Thanks Saturn. Keep up the good work. A fussy woman driver.

• 

  Impressive - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By underdog - December 16 - 4:36 pm

  I was not planning on purchasing a Vue. After seeing the quality and test driving it, I was very impressed. I didnt care for the gas mileage, but figured it was a trade off for the AWD and power for Maine driving. I opted out of the original Vue with the 4- cylinder engine. Please take the lack of power into consideration when making your final decision. But, true to their word, Saturn took my 4-cyl. back and put me in to a 6 cyl AWD. What a difference in vehicles. Overall, the Vue has been a pleasant vehicle for me to drive. I use this vehicle for business and drive it every day. When you drive past an older Vue, youll be proud of how far along theyve come.