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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  Would Not Recommend - 2003 Saturn ION
  By taergreat - December 1 - 5:16 am

  Overall, I wish I hadnt purchased this vehicle. The ride is decent but not impressed with the gas mileage (all I can get is about 24MPG highway). The car has a very cheapy plastic feel to it. Build is below average and seats stain very easily. My Saturn has been fairly reliable until recently when a problem all-to common to Saturns cropped up. I cant turn the key to the off position in the ignition. It just locks up. This, in turn, drains the all to expensive battery.

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  Not Reliable - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By TM - November 21 - 10:46 pm

  This vehicle is not reliable. I have had 7 warranty related issues in two years before hitting the 30,000 mile mark and they keep happening. The dent resistant panels may keep dents away but they are starting to come undone at the bottom so when you open the back doors the panel catches and the door has to be shut and opened again. This is not covered by the warranty either. I have had one door that would neither open nor close (at 8000 mi) and twice the locks froze up so the door will not shut until it thaws 30 miles from home w/ 2 infants in back. The entire onstar system was replaced. Carrier bearing had to be replaced (20,000 mi). Service not helpful either.

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  Transmission troubles - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By jswig - October 7 - 6:38 pm

  Just recently having transmission trouble. The problem is that it will not engage into drive or reverse. It just sits and revs up in any gear. I have not did anything with the car yet. Hoping someone can help me contact G.M. and get some help as I cannot afford the expense that most others have went through to get the trans fixed.

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  Lemon of all vehicles - 2005 Saturn ION
  By sandi - August 30 - 8:56 pm

  I purchased my 2005 Saturn in Mid 2005. I had a 1996 for almost 10 years and loved it. This 2005 ION is a piece of junk. I have almost been killed three times driving this car, once was on I-95. You can start the car, but dont leave the house because after a mile or so the car stops dead, leaving you without power or brakes. You have to wait from 10 to 20 minutes to get it started again, and then pray it does not stall again. Apparently the computer in the car is defective. However, it takes them several tries to determine this defect. Had they determined it back in 2006, I would have sent this car packing back to the manufacturer under the lemon law here in Florida. Dont buy one!

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  Never again - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By Lu - June 16 - 6:36 pm

  This car has been a nightmare from the beginning. Seems like ever 3 months something strange and new goes wrong with this car. If I could afford it I would dump it today and buy anything else. Today my husband is coming back from a trip and just called me to say the check engine light came on, and it wont accelerate going up hills. Its okay on flat ground. What a mess, we have to go find another dealer.

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  I hate this car. - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Danielle - June 14 - 10:13 pm

  This was my very first car. The first month of driving it I loved it! But then things started going wrong. The waterproofing on the drivers side window wore down so it was extremely loud driving and water would leak in when it rained. At the same time the steering column collapsed. There is something always rattling in the back of my car and it comes loose and I have to shove it back in to place. When i have the air on, there is a buzzing noise coming from the passenger side. It seems like there is always something rattling. The seats are extremely uncomfortable and hot. It is not a very smooth ride. I am getting a new car as soon as possible. Exterior and interior are also very cheap.

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  So many better vehicles for the money - 2003 Saturn ION
  By RuddigerPez - May 26 - 1:23 pm

  Chose an ION because I was trading in an SL2 and wanted the best value. Unfortunately, this car disappointed at every turn. Poor performance, with a loud engine, horrible road noise and terrible mileage (currently at about 26 hwy with driver only). Interior layout looked innovative but in all practicality it just doesnt work. Drivers seat is the most uncomfortable Ive ever experienced. And the GM passlock issue has reared its ugly head with my model, though no recall has been issued. I made a horrible decision considering the Corolla, Civic, or Sentra were all much better vehicles for the same price at the time of purchase. It is a mistake I will not make again.

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  Disappointed In Wyoming - 2008 Saturn Outlook
  By Becky - April 25 - 8:23 pm

  Did a lot of research when buying my first new car. Looking for a reliable car to go on road trips. (loved my two used Suburbans I had previously) Poor gas mileage. Get 12 in town averaging 15 mph/19 on the highway 53 mph. Took it in twice- Mechanic says Im getting 16/22. It broke down out of state. Had to have computer replaced at 2000 miles. The passenger seat bottom had to be put back on. Cant get used to the small window in the rear hatch. Cant see distance to back up/park. Frustrating. Now I am anxious about going far from home for fear it will break down again. Defeated the whole purpose of a new car!

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  No more American Cars for me - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Juan Ontiveros - April 24 - 1:06 pm

  I bought this car because my wife thought it will be a good car for us. I bought it with 40000 miles and it has been problem after problem O2 sensors changed both front and back, muffler under warranty was changed now I have to change the thermostat this car only has now 75000 thousand miles and I dont want it anymore and we promised ourselves we will never buy an American car anymore only Toyota or Honda.

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  Horrible! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By mres08 - April 4 - 3:21 pm

  Worst car ever. After owning for 1 1/2 years, I have to get rid of it. Have is the key word. It died on the highway. Nobody can tell me specifically whats wrong with it because theres about 8 different things wrong with it. The engine is about to go. There are brake problems, engine problems, thermostat problems, etc. I regret getting this car-- its had problems since day one. No wonder Saturns out of business. The reliability of their cars are seemingly terrible.