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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  My New Saturn - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By Susie - April 15 - 2:30 pm

  I went to this dealer to see a used Jeep Grand Cherokee and ended up buying a 2006 VUE. I believe it was a much better buy, 3 years newer, 1/2 the miles and covered by the mfg warranty. I also purchased a VUE with a sunroof which has been really a nice option for me. I have only had the car about a week but am extremely happy with it. I like the interior a lot. Have ordered luggage racks for it to give it a sportier look, mud flaps too. Think I got a lot more car for my money!

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  05 V-6 VUE is Great Little SUV - 2005 Saturn VUE
  By Joe Boxer - April 12 - 11:16 pm

  Ive owned my 05 V-6 VUE for about one month. I traded in a Trailblazer for the VUE and it is my first Saturn. Im especially impressed by the peppy engine and the manueverability of the VUE. It steers and parks like a car but offers the utility of an SUV. Ingress/egress for elderly or physically impaired people is far easier that a car or a large SUV. The price for the VUE was $1,000 less than most similarly equipped (although larger) SUVs, such as the Nissan Murano.

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  Enjoy the Vue - 2008 Saturn VUE
  By crazykz - April 12 - 11:13 am

  My Vue handles great, especially in the snow. It has ample power, but I do wish there was some way to have that power and get decent gas mileage at the same time. The interior is quiet and comfortable, although on longer rides the seat hurts the backs of my legs. Cargo space is impressive for a small SUV - has more room than my husbands BMW X3. I do wish I had a sun roof.

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  Reliable but noisy - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By Dgoock - April 11 - 2:23 pm

  I bought this car new and now have 211,000 miles on it. The thermostat and computer went out under warranty at about 25,000. The water pump went out at about 95,000, so I changed the timing belt at that time and it saved a bunch. Rear right bearing and hub went out at about 180,000. The big issue has been the tires. The rear tires get eaten up for some reason and get very noisy. I have to rotate the tires every 5000 to minimize this issue. The SUV is noisy in general, but most SUVs are. The vehicle is not smooth in acceleration or response to the throttle, it is jerky. But at the same time I have not had to do much to it for 211,000 miles of use! Front bearing and hub needed now.

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  TN - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By mworrell - April 11 - 10:00 am

  Great vehicle, but needs a few improvements.

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  not a happy camper - 2005 Saturn ION
  By Samantha - April 8 - 8:13 pm

  i bought this ion from a friend, in which i just bought it before winter came, had the car not start for me. called the dealership and they were very helpful, replaced the ignition switch. all seemed fine and dandy, due to the nice weather showed up again. march/April of this year, i installed command start, guess what, got cold out car would not start. u buy a command start for this purpose or am i not correct on that lol. they replaced the bcm *body control module* and so far so good, hasnt stranded me yet. i live in Saskatchewan Canada, so ya, we go from plus 30 to minus 10 in 24 hrs.

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  Problems Allready 04 VUE - 2004 Saturn VUE
  By purcntry - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Inside of 30 days of ownership in for OBD code P0571 3 times (Cruise/brake switch A malfunction) replaced switch service wrench light came back on in less than 4 blocks from service dept. Campaign to upgrade software to correct the computer from clearing OBD codes when vehicle ignition turned off strike 4. 3 conclusions campaign does not work, bad computer onboard hence unable to correct the code or faulty wiring with low voltage either way headed back down on saturday to give back problem vehicle for same model without service wrench light problem. They can try to fix it with there time not mine.

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  Comfortable but chintzy interior - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By doctor dave - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Saturn Vue is comfortable and there is a lot of interior room. The inside finish is particularly cheap and the overall workmanship is less than one would expect from a car sold at a premium on which there is no negotiation. The legendary Saturn service is a great ad campaign but in practice it is a lot of "feel good activity" and very little actual help or action if something is wrong.

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  Not really pleased... - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Ladydih30 - March 18 - 10:00 am

  In the past year Ive taken my car into the dealership to have 6 different (major) things repaired. The ignition was replaced, the passenger side lower control arm had to be replaced, the turn signal wiring had to be replaced, the computer replaced. There was a fuel line recall, and the door lock collapsed into the door. Someone at the dealership told me to be grateful I didnt have the same problem another customer does, apparently her car just shuts down randomly as she is driving along and they cant figure out why. I dont have the trust in my Saturn that I had in the cars Ive had by other manufaturers.

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  My pee wee ion 2 - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Michael L. Joyner - March 18 - 10:00 am

  i like the gas mileage and the way it drives