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 SUV for the price - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By ynot - October 18 - 1:26 pm

  Ive owned this SUV for 15 months. The power and performance is awesome. For what you get for the price, it cant be beat.

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  Rock solid under pressure - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By Scott from Michigan - October 18 - 2:00 am

  We purchased our Outlook 2 weeks ago and have already taken a 1500 mile trip to Tennessee with it. I had a blast using the manual shift in low on the twisty mountain roads and limiting the transmission to 5th gear in strong wind and rain on the highway to prevent excessive automatic up and down shifting between fifth and sixth gear. It handled excellent in all weather conditions,including heavy rain and wind that was barely noticed while driving. The gas mileage increased more while driving 80-85 than it did driving 70-75. An overall good looking vehicle with lots of room and creatures features inside. Our Outlook gets lots of looks in our hometown. We are very happy with it.

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  Excelent basic transportation - 2003 Saturn ION
  By 2nd Saturn - October 17 - 10:13 am

  I purchased this car for my wife to commute back and forth to work. For this it has performed flawlessly. It averages 30 mpg overall. Have had only one problem - was able to pull the key out while driving. I would not take this car on a long trip with my three kids in the back, but that is what the minivan was made for.

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  Watch out for the CVT - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By ExSatrunLvr - October 17 - 9:30 am

  The outside build quality alone is shoddy. Just try pushing on any of the outside body cladding to see what I mean. The CVT transmission has gotten louder and louder as the mileage has gone up. The official response from Saturn is that this is normal operational noise but it didnt sound that way when I bought it. The hood cable has stretched 3 times now. The last time they told me it was fine was right before my warranty went up and now guess what. I cant open my hood. The general attitude from service seemed like I must be doing something to break it. Ive opened a lot of hoods on many cars and never had a problem with the cable not handling it.

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  Aura gas mileage. - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By marvin - October 15 - 9:50 pm

  Because I average around 30,000 miles per year it was important to me that I got at least what the sticker said I would get on highway miles per gallon. For the first 2000 miles I have driven the car, I have averaged 30-32 miles per gallon on highway at 65-72 mph, around 1700 RPMS. (sticker said 30 MPG Highway). Comfortable ride, handles well around curves.

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  I love my ion - 2003 Saturn ION
  By patriciaa - October 15 - 10:00 am

  Ii is great on gas and a lot fo fun to drive. Great pick up and performance. I love the electric steering.

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  Love my car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Gregfgt - October 15 - 10:00 am

  With the fold down rear seats it really easy to pack mu stuff for the cottage

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  Excellent - 2007 Saturn Outlook
  By USAF74RET - October 14 - 9:26 pm

  Love at first sight, true love at first drive. Engine seemed jerkey but on cruise, is smooth. Fit and finish is excellent. Storage could use some improvement. Back up assist indicators should have a duplicate set in the front, on the dash for people who park using just their side mirrors. All around, it is an outstanding vehicle.

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  Saturn Relay. A Lot of Problems - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By Sharon - October 14 - 11:00 am

  We have owned 3 Saturns before this one. This one is a true lemon! It has been in the shop more than it has been on the road. Had many service bulletins out already. My timing belt went the 1st year. Radio is cheap and never tunes in. Molding outside falls off all the time. Back wiper changed 3xs already. CD player hums when you hit the gas. Lights go dim and bright while driving. I can go on and on. A lemon by far.

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  No More Saturn - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By Sour Saturn Owner - October 13 - 11:50 pm

  This is my second Saturn and the last. The car has been nothing but funky off the wall problems since it was six months old. Fortunately I followed my gut instinct and bought extended warranty that will be up in two months just in time to unload the Vue for my new 09 Honda. Saturn started out with a good product that has went horribly wrong and for the record I will not buy American made vehicle ever again.