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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  impresive - 2004 Saturn ION
  By alvaro45 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  very reliable, significant improvement over the old SL2 ,you can feel the increase horse power compare to the old engine.Seats should be redesigned, excelent Stereo and best of all the best brakes in a car this size.

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  Excellent Vehicle - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Bkckb2003 - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Ive only had my ION for a little over a month but I love it. Good gas mileage, atrractive interior/exterior, and some interesting features.

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  The Saturn Sky Redline Rocks! - 2008 Saturn Sky
  By Saffy - September 15 - 1:06 pm

  I love this car. It has fantastic looks, lots of power, great handling, and is comfortable. It gathers a crowd no matter where we go. Like any small 2 seat roadster it has limited trunk space but there is more there than one thinks. And contrary to some reports - putting the manual convertible top down is actually fairly easy and with little to no practice can be a quick one-hand operation. The built-in OnStar and hands-free cell phone are wonderful. The 5-speed manual gets great gas mileage. The only downside is that you may suffer some pain at first from the permanent grin that you will have from driving and owning this car.

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  Great Car - 2003 Saturn ION
  By Nicholas Towne - September 15 - 10:00 am

  Ive always been a big Saab fan, but when I last needed a new car, I went with the Saturn Ion 2, because it seemed to drive and handle more like a Saab than any other car I tested. With a stress free buying experience and with how good the dealer was with me was outstanding. Ever since I bought the car, I have loved driving and drive when I can. The handling is excellent, and I drive on pretty rough roads and the car holds well. Its my first new car Ive ever had, and so far the best car Ive ever had.

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  My VUE - 2003 Saturn VUE
  By bewolfe1 - September 14 - 9:36 am

  Very dependable. Mileage is less than expected. Front seating could be improved for larger senior owners.

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  Good car for the money - 2004 Saturn ION
  By Ion owner 13 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I own a Saturn Ion 3. The sport tuned suspension offers a great deal of comfort. There is ample room for front seat passengers. Rear seat room is adequite for cars of this class. I have seen and experienced much worse, especially with Japanese and Korean models in this class size. Fuel mileage is good (especially freeway). Trunk capacity is amazing (largest in its class). There is finally an American competitor for the VW Jetta.

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  I love my ION - 2004 Saturn ION
  By 1313 - September 14 - 2:00 am

  I had a few set backs when I first got the ION, Initially they thought it was a computer problem later we found out it was a user (me) problem. I used to get my Key stuck in the igntion. Saturn on a whole was very helpful in figuring out what was going on with the car and since this incident I havent had a problem. I love the love the car and the gadges in the center console are not a problem at all.

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  Fine European Car Sold as a Saturn - 2008 Saturn Astra
  By Jim - September 14 - 12:16 am

  I am 62", and many small cars wont work. This one does. I have all options on this car, including the sport package. The handling is excellent, and the steering is very quick. The mileage is about what the EPA estimates, although it falls off at speeds around 70 mph or higher. I am a fan of European cars, and this fills the bill without costing an arm and a leg (I have owned 3 Volvos, a Mercedes and a BMW).

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  wow!!!! - 2002 Saturn VUE
  By caz - September 13 - 1:43 am

  excellent handling and ride, incredible V6 engine, bigger than all the rest. and priced right too

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  Scully the Saturn - 2006 Saturn VUE
  By VINNY - September 11 - 10:23 am

  I used to own a 1999 Saturn SL2 and that car went to the depths of hell and back with me. I was in the market for a new car and Saturn had a 0% finance promotion running. I gave it a shot and fell in love with the VUE V6. It handles like a sports car and has the kick of one too. With 260 HP, you actually feel the power rather than waiting to catch up with it. Curtain side airbags make it safer than most SUVs. Highly recommended.