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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  Fun! - 2005 Saturn ION
  By redliner - December 16 - 2:30 am

  Wanted to lower my payment and save on some gas. (traded a 2002 camaro z28). I was teared up when I shut the door to my Z for the last time. But I have to say, what a fast little buggy, and its alot of fun to drive. I will look at the speedometer and freak when I see Im doing 85 in a 45 without realizing it.

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  VUE for you - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By marilyn - December 13 - 9:10 am

  I have just purchased my VUE and so far I am very pleased with it. It is the perfect vehicle for a family with small children. The 250hp engine and the storage bin organizer located in the rear are two great features of this vehicle. OnStar is available on all GM vehicles but it optional. On the VUE it is standard. Gas mileage is great. There are a lot of accessories and packages to choose from. I test drove the Pontiac Torrent, Ford Escape and the Chevrolet Equinox. The Saturn won hands down because of its safety rating and price. Looking for a family oriented vehicle along with safety, value and affordability then the Vue is for you.

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  300,000 miles!!! - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Hilary - December 5 - 11:01 am

  This car has lasted me so long still in fantastic condition. No major problems at all. Drives smooth, gas milage is amazing. I live in Michigan and it has got me through some tough winters too! I would recommend this car to anyone. I got it at a great price with only one prior owner. Just keep up on regular oil changes and such and this car could last you a lifetime

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  Excellent Value, Nice Utility, Fun - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By John - December 3 - 10:53 am

  This auto has some great features for the price and is fun to own and drive. We had to select between a CRV and this vehicle and the value proposition made the final decision easy. The two cars were actually very similar, but the Saturn Vue XE had more features for the money. We also looked at the HHR, but this Vue had a larger-car feel from the inside. While the car is a German design, and built in Mexico it actually had a good US part content. This was our first American brand vehicle since about 1994. The ownership experience is making me think I will trade my Acura MDX in the future for another American branded car.

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  My Honda Vue - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Corvette Bill - November 30 - 2:00 am

  I was a little concerned that a Saturn dealer was putting dealer add ons to these vehicles it seemed out of character adding options you wouldnt want.I love the Honda powertrain same as in my Odyssey.I have had trouble with the reception on FM as well as AM they reconnected the antenna still no improvement taking it back again soon.

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  Not Bad - 2006 Saturn ION
  By First Saturn - November 25 - 4:30 am

  Bought to tow behind my motor home. Find I drive it around town when I am home for the high gas mileage. So far not one problem.

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  Its been since 96 since i bout my 02 Vu - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Tie - November 22 - 7:50 pm

  I have never had a major problems with my Vue since i bout it in 006. I just now noticed i need to replace my sway bar witch cost 300 at dealership to replace. But that is it. I am sure like all cars the older it gets the more worn it becomes but that is pretty good. No emergencys. I like my truck alot but i would love to get my hands on that Outlook.. I LOVE the one.

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  WOW - 2004 Saturn ION
  By reilly - November 18 - 10:00 am

  i was looking for something cute and could ge tme around in. It helped me alot and i am only 15 so i needed something. Well it is a fun car and its reliability is great. I can count on it for anything. Thank you for making such a great car!

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  German Engineered, Mexican made - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By YankeeGooner - November 17 - 8:50 pm

  I am very happy with my Vue Redline with a few exceptions. The good: Handles as well as, if not better than compareable, and more expensive, German crossovers. I have driven the X3 and the Vue handles as well. Its obvious when you drive the Redline that the vehicle was engineered in Germany. Even though it has a relatively small cargo area. However, Saturn designed an ingenious sliding cargo net that increases the flexibility of the cargo hold threefold. I was able to pack the family of 5 with $500 worth of Sams Club groceries inside. The bad: Mexican assembly is also apparent. 1 recall and two minor trips to the dealer are frustrating. But overall good vehicle

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  Lots of car for the money - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By alden - November 17 - 6:30 am

  Weve put roughly 12,000 miles on the VUE and its worked wonderfully. I average mid to high 20s in a mix of city and highway driving, and have topped out at 31mpg on a long trip up the coast. Many cars of the same size cant compete with that, let alone other small SUVs that often have less cargo space. This car is by no means a luxury vehicle, but for around $18k brand new with a 100,000 mile warranty, its hard to beat for a daily driver. The fold down seats have been really useful with the capability to fit full 8 foot boards and still carry three people including the driver.