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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  I love it - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Mlashun - November 20 - 1:43 pm

  I have had my Saturn for right at 4 months and so far, have had no problems. I like the exterior design and although I agree with the interior ratings of others and Edmunds, thats not as much a factor for me as comfort and reliability. Ive never owned a Saturn and am a previous Nissan car owner. This is my first SUV, but Ive ridden in several and I feel that my VUE is a match for the others. I like the gas mileage as its not much different from my car. I also like the roomy interior and the coziness of it. Of particular satisfaction for me is the reclinable rear seats, the grocery rack in the back and the window controls.

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  Quad coupe - 2003 Saturn ION
  By eyedoc2004 - November 10 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car in april. I was pleasantly surprised this vehicle. I still like it 8500 miles later. It has good performance, comfort, and convenience considery its economy car class. Its alot of car for what you pay for it and its practical and fun to drive. I drove a honda civic as well, and this car blows it away. Lots more power and interior room (im 6 3" and have plenty of head and leg room).

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  Re-skinned cobalt - 2007 Saturn ION
  By potatomasher - November 9 - 3:57 am

  Bought my Saturn ion sedan for about $6000 with the manual, from private party. As an engineer, I value my Ion. Fun to drive, kinda sporty for compact sedan. Made in Tennessee Comfortable seats Decent fuel economy with the 2.2. I averaged about 27-30 mixed driving. Reliable engine. Easy to work on compared to imports. Two bolts to remove this and that. Nobody I know has a positive thing to say about the styling...however it has composite panels to last on salty Wisconsin roads. This ion wont look like Swiss cheese in 10 years, and believe me, I am tired of working on rusty vehicles. Think of it as a more durable Chevy Cobalt. Have had no problems at all with my Ion.

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  Next to my Vette its a fun ride - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By Dale - November 4 - 5:13 pm

  I tried both the base engine and the turbo and the difference was very pronounced. My 64 Vette 327-365 HP 4 speed is a fun ride but my 73 year old left leg is getting weak. The automatic in the Sky is plenty fast and the old leg is quite comfortable. Top up or down this little baby is as fun to drive as my other baby a 1949 MG TC which is a 4 speed. To complete my passion for neat cars I have a 2002 Trans Am convertible with an automatic just as a backup. The Sky is a perfect runabout vehicle and the future is here. Side mirrors are questionable and the lack of a decent console storage box is apparent but Ill just get used to it. Great car Saturn and it really draws looks from the Solstice

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  your next car - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By julissa - November 4 - 2:00 am

  good on fuel, not as comfort as i will like, and could have a better interior

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  Saturn Vue.... - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Orangetrak - November 4 - 2:00 am

  No problems to date, same great Saturn experience, with 0.0% AND 2k rebate it was hard to beat. Also cheap to insure.

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  Fun and practical - 2004 Saturn ION
  By jmbRN - November 4 - 2:00 am

  I find that the ION is a great car for commuting and for occassional passengers. Performance is more than adequate for freeway driving, and gas mileage is good, although not spectacular, averaging around 32-33mpg. Cruise control is a convenient bonus. The car may be small for a family, but for someone who frequently travels alone, its very comfortable.

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  Bad gas mileage - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Heather - October 30 - 9:20 pm

  I like the car, but the gas mileage is terrible. I calculate it every time I fill up and get around 14 mpg. My husbands V8 Dodge Ram does better than that. Had I known the gas mileage would be so bad I definitely would not have purchased car!

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  Aura XE-2007 - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Wayne - October 28 - 10:20 pm

  Vehicle is very quiet, outside noise is minimal. Good performance from the smaller V-6. Long trip highway mileage is 29+ MPG. General combined mileage city + highway 24-25 MPG. Excellent initial quality. So far, very good performance in snow. Vehicle is tight with no rattles. First domestic car that I purchased in the past 12 years. Previously have purchased foreign vehicles. The interior width could use another 2". Low profile roof line makes entering the car a little more difficult for a person over 59". Cannot tell where the rear of the car ends due to design.

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  2007 Saturn Aura TONS OF MILES - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By Playtowin - October 28 - 8:23 pm

  Bought it used with 25,000 and Im now at 65,000. I live in upstate NY and drive 60+ miles a day so the milage is adding up quick. Im getting 30+ GPM on the highway which is great since thats most of my driving. I had "ok" tires" on it for winter and it still did great! Ive plowed over 16"+ of snow and keeps going. Ive hit a deer with it already and had it fixed. Turned front rotors once but thats from slamming on the brakes to avoid the deer LOL. My big thing was V6 with power and still GREAT gas milage! Ive had enough of 4 bangers with no power. Im sure this car will last 200,000 miles maybe more. WELL SEE!