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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  Still Goin Great - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Carl Camann - December 15 - 9:30 pm

  A follow-up to my 10/07/05 review. Car now with 32K+ miles. Total repairs=$0. Total days out of commission=0. Total warranty work=1 minor brake adjustment. No rattles, minimal tire wear, consistent handling, interior materials holding up well, paint & exterior pieces still bright & shiny. Consistent 30+ mpg on road, low 20s around town. Everything as advertised. Selling dealer (and others used for service) have been tremendous when service and one warrantee item needed. I am as pleased with this car as I have ever been with any vehicle of any brand I have ever owned.

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  I Love My Saturn VUE - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Ld0724 - December 15 - 10:00 am

  We tried the Ford Escape and the brake lights would not go out after just 2 days. My Saturn Vue has been WONDERFUL. I cannot imagine having any other small SUV. The price was wonderful, the gas mileage is so much better than the Escape, and Saturn has been simply wonderful. I will be a Saturn owner for life. Sometimes it is the little options that are standard that make all the difference in the world. From the Grocery carrier, to the speakers. I love my VUE.

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  fun in a Saturn Vue - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Robin - December 14 - 6:36 am

  driven 2000 mi the first trip and did everything we exspected / would like to let ppl know about this awesome SUV that has a honda v6 power plant that has alot of get up and go !!

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  Great for a US vehicle - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By FirstAmerican - December 13 - 5:50 am

  First American auto I have owned in 20 years. Great value, style, and engineering. Style caught my eye to start. Interior comfort and layout better than many imports and other GM autos. The 3.5 engine is responsive and tranny works better than I believed it would. Real average mpg runs mid to upper 20s. Pretty good for a V-6.

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  Great car for the money - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By chevydiver - December 11 - 3:33 am

  Has been the most trouble free vehicle I have ever owned. One year old never back to dealer. Does better on city and combined driving for mileage. Lots of upscale features, leather heated seats, OnStar, auxilary jack on radio, steering wheel controls. Fun to drive.

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  Vue is better than ratings - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Donna - December 10 - 11:06 pm

  I have driven several SUVs and I find for the money the Vue is right up there. It is said to have sloppy handling but I do not find that to be the case. It handled well on hills and turns even in extreme weather. The interior is more than comfortable for most. My husband is tall and he has plenty of room. Its height from the ground makes it easy for me to get in(I am short) but my husband does not feel like he is climbing out of it. Overall I would definitely buy this again.

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  What A Hoot To Drive! - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Scott Walper - December 8 - 5:33 pm

  We just stumbled across the Astra at the Saturn dealer while looking at the Vue. After driving the Astra couldnt wait to buy one! Incredibly solid, zippy around town with the 5 speed stick, gets lotsa stares. People in Hondas ask what it that? The doors dont sound like tin when you close them. The remote windows rolldown, one cool feature.

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  08 Saturn Vue Red Line 3.6 FWD - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By Paul - December 8 - 1:16 pm

  Ive been researching replacement vehilces for my 01 Ford Escape for ~1- year, on-off. When the Saturn Vue came out a few months back I took a first test-drive in an XE 3.5 AWD. It felt good and was adquately powered, but wanted to test-drive the XR, but didnt get a chance to. Waited until the Red Lines started showing-up and decided this was the one for me. Put down a little more to reduce the monthly- payment. Mines Polar White, with the Ebony interior. Looks good, feels good to sit-in, and best of all its a hoot to drive so far. The 6-speed transmission is silky-smooth, with a quiet V6 engine, and just enough rumble coming from the chromed tail-pipe tips, sounds great too.

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  Problem mobile...... - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By itchypopkin - December 8 - 6:51 am

  I have been a loyal General Motors customer but that might have to change after owning this vehicle. I really like the design of this vehicle inside and out. My main complaint is that it has major problem after major problem. The only good thing is that so far everything has been under warranty. The first thing to go was the rack and pinion at 30,000 miles. At around 35,000 miles the right strut started leaking and had to be replaced. It started leaking again at 60,000 miles, I donÂ’t know if itÂ’s bad luck for me or a design flaw. The next thing to go was the water pump at 50,000. Finally at 68,000 miles the transmission went. Thankfully it was still under warranty (with only two months to spare) and the dealership had to replace 3rd, 5th and reverse gears. Overall this has been the most unreliable vehicle I have ever owned. I would never recommend this vehicle to anybody. All owners appear to have the same main problems and I canÂ’t believe General Motors doesnÂ’t offer some type of buyback program as they did for the Vue.

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  Another great car from SATURN - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jim_VUE_me - December 8 - 2:00 am

  As a proud owner of a 1995 SC2 I decided to purchase the VUE for my wife and children. This SUV rocks! No it isnt a Lexus or Mercedes but if you want an SUV that will last and preform for 10 years, then I suggest you join the "Saturn Family". Have always had excellent experiences with Saturn, and will probably be a lifetime customer. The AWD V6 has plenty and I do mean PLENTY of horsepower 0 - 60 times are incredible and the SUV is solidly built and not nearly as noisy as the car reviewers say.