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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  3 days with ION - 2003 Saturn ION
  By cdavidhess - September 7 - 2:00 am

  The ION is frisky and fun to drive. The ride is very composed---even at 80 mph. I achieved 30 mpg on my first tank of gas (half were highway miles). I was initially put off by the interior, particularly the center mounted instrument panel. It took me about 5 minutes to get used to it. I visited the Syracuse Auto Show yesterday and sat in a lot of cars. I was struck by the fact that I found myself thinking over and over again: “This car’s instrument panel is really strange. It is hidden behind the steering wheel.” I actually find myself preferring the center mounted instrument panel. It gives you a clear view and is kind of funky.

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  Saturn Rocks! - 2003 Saturn ION
  By My1stSaturn - September 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought my car on December 23rd, 2002 at the Saturn of Birmingham AL dealership. The folks were freindly, and very helpful. It had 8 miles on it when i drove it off the lot. As of today, February 9th, 2003, it has 2400 miles on it. I drive my car everywhere!!! So far... this car is awesome! I would reccomend it to anyone and everyone. I find it to be very trendy, sporty, and it drives very nice and smooth. Plus- it is very spacious.

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  Best SUV ever! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Gaseana - September 7 - 2:00 am

  We just this past month bought our Vue and we love it! It works very well in cold weather contrary to others beliefs, since it has been below freezing all but one day since we bought it. Has as much room as our old Blazer and the features, price, and transmission, make it a wonderful purchase! As usual, Saturn has out done itself!

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  Best Economical SUV - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By VA Mike - September 7 - 2:00 am

  For those who are looking for the space and utility of an SUV, but who are not interested in paying for lots of imported oil, this American-built vehicle should be your #1 choice. Very efficient, decent transportation. No problems at all in the first 4 months weve owned it. Many smart things went into the design. Space beats all of its smaller SUV competition, as well as mileage. Safety almost #1 in its category (check out federal web sites). No complaints. Fully loaded around $20K with incentives.

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  Awesome car to drive - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By pyxy514 - September 7 - 12:56 am

  I recently jusy bought a Saturn Vue and I absolutely love it. I knew the previous owner and the only reason she got rid of it was to get a Saturn Relay (van)for her growing family. I am 19 years old and so far have been very pleased with my Vue. The one good thing is that they call it a Vue for a reason, you have a view of everything around you whether in a parking lot or driving.

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  Saturn ION - 2006 Saturn ION
  By Do not buy this car! - September 6 - 11:36 pm

  I bought this car for my daughter on 12/05. The Saturn ION is junk! She has been stranded THREE times with the key stuck in the ignition and the engine still running. The lift motor in the driver side window broke. Now, the passenger rear window is broken. The car was leaking copious amounts of gas until it was unsafe to drive. Ignition cylinder has been replaced three times. The car only has 45,000 miles. I am so upset with this car that I am thinking of trading in my 2009 Silverado and NEVER buying a GM product again! Will be lodging a formal written complaint with the LA Attorney Generals office and recommend that others follow suit!

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  Saturn Aura XR - 2007 Saturn Aura
  By cyclist - September 6 - 1:20 am

  The Saturn Aura, especially the XR trim package, is an exceptional vehicle. The car does not feel like an American sedan. It has the look and feel of a European sedan, and it drives like that way as well. The suspension is taut but not too harsh. The cabin looks like it belongs in a luxury car. All this for a car in the mid-$20s. In short, I love it.

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  High on the Sky - 2007 Saturn Sky
  By Laura in the Sky - September 5 - 7:16 am

  The Sky is just about perfect. OK, so if you go away for the weekend, you have to wear your clothes as the trunk is small. But comfort, grip of the road, mileage, and styling --it is not just like the Solstice at all! I have people stop me on the road, everywhere, to comment on the sleek lines. The ride is smooth and handling is fantastic with the wider wheel base! I love it!

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  Saturn Vue - 2007 Saturn VUE
  By Ed - September 5 - 1:56 am

  We love to drive our VUE. It is very responsive on the road in handling and in getting around. It has all the power we need. Gets great gas mileage.

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  Pleased and Dismayed - 2008 Saturn Aura
  By Pleased and dismayed - September 5 - 12:50 am

  After several Volvos I loved, I was impressed by the new Aura and felt it was a good value. Ive owned it 6 mos. now and overall, this is a fantastic car - too many things to list that I like. Details like quiet and ambient lighting, OnStar all excellent. I have had a lot of trouble with the 19" tires, dealer replaced all of them at least once, and they just cannot seem to get balanced smooth - the car rides crappy at 60MPH or higher, and I have been so disgusted with this that all the good things get overlooked. Its a shame, either the tires or my dealer cant get it right - they say its the way the car was designed-yeah right! GM always designs cars to vibrate at 60MPH