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 for the $$$ - 2003 Saturn ION
  By GaIon - August 6 - 10:00 am

  You certainly cant ask for BMW performance in this price range, but for under $15,000 this car is great! More than adequate power, gas mileage, and comfort. Center console doesnt take much time to get used to. Only complaint is the electronic power steering is a little loose and is hard to keep going straight without constant adjustments.

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  1st Saturn purchase - 2003 Saturn ION
  By MCGIRL - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I absolutely love my car. It is fun to drive. It gets noticed. Everyone has a comment about its unique styling, i.e. center mounted cluster bezel. My mom bought one within weeks of my purchase. However, be mindful of purchasing this car if you have children-especially big ones. I have 3. I can only transport two in the rear seat in car seats. With car seats in place, I cannot fit a 3rd person, even a small one in the rear seat. Although Ive got my sites on buying an SUV in the near future since Im doing most of the family transporting, I hope to hang on to this car as my "fun car".

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  Not impressed - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Fuzzybear - July 24 - 5:26 am

  The 3.6 V6 certainly gives the driver a generous amount of power. Straight- line acceleration is fantastic. The six speed auto is OK, but it can be irritating when I slow to 45 to switch highways because it does not like to downshift. The handling is a different story. The suspension is too sensitive. Each time I hit a bump or dip, the car starts to go off in another direction. I have to grab the wheel tightly and pull the car back into a straight line. The stock tires dont help either. On another note, I am not a tall guy, and I have a hard time getting in and out of the drivers seat. I can only imagine how annoying it must be for people who are 6+.

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  ROLL BACK - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By TER - July 24 - 2:00 am

  HAVE FOUND WHEN THE VUE IS ONA SHARP INCLINE THERE IS SIGNIFICANT ROLL BACK. CONCERNED ABOUT HITTING A PERSON OF VEHICLE BEHIND ME OR ACCELRATING TOO QUICKLY WHEN COMPENSATING FOR ROLL BACK. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER WHO INDICATES THIS IS "NORMAL". VARIABLE TRANSMISSION ESSENTIALLY PUT CAR IN NEUTRAL WHEN STOPPED. THERE IS NOTHING TO BE DONE REGARDING THIS PROBLE AS IDLE CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED. I NOW HAVE A SIGN ON THE BACK OF MY SATURN INDICATING THE "VUE WILL ROLL BACK PLEASE KEEP YOUR DISTANCE". YOU SEE THE CAR ALMOST HIT A CHILD AS IT ROLLED BACK....APPARENTLY ACCORDING TO SATURN "ILL GET USED TO THIS"....

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  Saturn van - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By wade - July 21 - 7:46 am

  A good driving van. Comes loaded up on the level 3 package. The DVD player, with four cordless headphones, is a great kid pleaser. Nice American made van

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  Good inexpensive car - 2004 Saturn ION
  By kevin68 - July 18 - 2:00 am

  I really like my saturn Its fun to drive Great gas mileage Alittle noisy Overall a good buy

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  My 4th VUE - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Robert Garrison - July 12 - 10:20 pm

  On my 2006 I am experiencing problems like wind/road noises and vibrations that are very annoying. I was supposed to have received a new VUE ordered to be manufactured just for me, but at last minute, the dealer ran one in on me off another lot but comparably equipped, but it certainly doesnt reflect any custom assembly. Fender seams, etc, could be much better fitted. Wind and road noise is tremendous. I had a years subscription remaining on my previous satellite radio, but when the free three months subscription ran out, they turned me off. No recourse. This isnt as good a quality as the 2004 Saturn VUE I owned.

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  Good Car For The Money - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Mike The LV Bear - July 7 - 10:00 am

  This ION is my second Saturn (I traded in a 2000 SL1), and its the best Ive ever driven. I love its quirky design and interior (a refreshing change from the cookie-cutter designs from Asia) and its overall value for the money. Of course, the large rebates and low financing helped; I went back to Saturn in part because of the dealer and because the SL1 was a reliable car. So far, no regrets.

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  my 6th saturn - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By stresa - July 2 - 10:00 am

  if they make a bigger saturn with the ratio value of the previous ones i do not want to try any other car.

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  Poor Front interior design - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Rich W. - June 26 - 4:33 am

  Like the vehicle-Dont love it. Very practical vehicle. Excellent to drive with Superb Honda 6- give engineer a bonus that recommended that engine- has a wow factor! - great on hi-way. Reduce Salary of Engineer that calculated gas mileage estimates- WAY OFF! I still havent hit 20 mpg. Should have been more honest/accurate in projecting fuel estimates in showroom. Vue takes a beating and cleans up very nice- can be a workhorse for the busy family. Also- I like the exterior design- and engine accessibility