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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  Buying Another One - 2009 Saturn Aura
  By PMM - October 18 - 7:13 am

  I have owned so many cars that I cant even list. I must admit that when you look at the complete package of price, performance, features, mileage, looks and comfort that you cant beat the Aura. Get an XR 4cyl under $20k and you will be extremely happy. I constantly get 30mpg in combo driving. Dont worry about Saturn going away, all Chevy techs can work on it and your good for 100k warranty miles. I put 15k on my first one and am getting ready to buy a 2nd one for the family for $18k. The person that speaks about the transmission is misinformed. This is one of the best 6sp/4cyl in the world. Also, in every car if you roll down just the back windows you get a noise. I am not a GM empl.

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  the saturn - 2005 Saturn Relay
  By edwin DeVand - October 17 - 9:50 pm

  It is a smooth riding vehicle it is very roomy and we can put my wifes electric wheelchair in it. The door opening was wide enough to put a electric lift into the car so that she can ride it or put it in the car without any problems. The cost of the car was very reasonable for what we got. the price included a full set of brand new Michelin tires. We both are very pleased with the cost, the way the salesman treated us, and the service dept.

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  Cramping my style - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By peak_rush - October 17 - 12:46 pm

  There is not enough leg room to stretch out. No excuse that its a small car. Even older GM designs, like the Saturn ION and Chevy Cobalt have enough leg room for a 62" tall guy to totally stretch out his legs. Maybe people overseas are vertically challenged.

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  My VUE Experience...so far - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By angelina7899 - October 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 2003 AWD V6 VUE in late January. I loved the way the car looked and drove up until May when my temperature gauge began to read erratically. I immediately returned to the dealership, disgruntled and dissatisfied that my brand new car with 3,000 miles on it was already having problems. No one seemed to care about that at the dealership I purchased my car from, making me vow never to purchase another Saturn again nor to have my current Saturn serviced there again. Since then, no other problems have arisen and I am overall very satisfied with my purchase

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  Fourth Saturn - 2003 Saturn ION
  By RevJLS - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This Ion replaced 2 SLs - one with 155000 miles. These are durable, fun cars. I look for the Ion to be equally durable. Fit and finish show an improvement over the SLs. Fun factor is high, and I love the center instrument cluster.

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  Pleased Ion owner - 2003 Saturn ION
  By flinch - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Have had it for 3,00 miles and cant find anything not to like.

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  Love my Saturn - 2003 Saturn ION
  By psugrad - October 16 - 10:00 am

  This is the first car I purchased. I had been looking for several years for a new car when this came out. Knew exactly what I wanted and found everything in the ION. As always the Saturn staff were excellent. Frequently travel on long business trips and dont have any problem with being in the car for the duration.

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  I love it! - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Jan Brooks-Long - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Its great! I love that Im a mom with a car that my daughter can get in and out of (shes 3)and I can transport alot of stuff, but I can still have my funky steering wheel cover, and my fabulous little SUV. The seats fold 40/60 style in the back & you can fit anything!

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  CR-VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Pumph - October 16 - 10:00 am

  Solidly built, reliable vehicle. Much more solid than the "tinny" CRV a co- worker drives. Easy to park and yet roomy inside.

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  Lots for the money - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By wagzab - October 16 - 10:00 am

  As usual the customer service at Saturn is exemplory. The car itself is a great value for the dollar, better than any other SUV we looked at. Really like the no dent body panels as we camp a lot.