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Saturn was formed by General Motors in 1984 to provide competition to the growing wave of Japanese imports. The brand was distanced from GM with its own plant (Spring Hill, Tennessee) and listed as the "Saturn Corporation" without any reference in advertising to GM. For years, Saturn buyers had no idea that GM was even connected to their vehicles.
The first models, the S-Series coupe and sedan, were introduced in 1989 as 1990 models. They were powered by a unique (although, somewhat Isuzu-derived) powertrain and were based on the unique Z-body platform. A wagon was added a year later.
Saturn vehicles are NOT low quality. They have typically been ranked very well in all surveys, especially when it comes to dealership experience where they rank with the best.
The S-Series was updated in the mid-1990s and the L-Series was added in 1999. The L-Series is derived from the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra. Offered in four-door sedan and wagon body styles, the L-Series is powered by a version of GM's global "L850" DOHC four-cylinder engine or the English GM "MV6" 54-degree DOHC V6 found in various Opel, Vauxhall, Saab, and Cadillac models.
The VUE was introduced fairly recently as their entry-level SUV and is powered by the same engines as the L-Series. From my experience, the VUE is not on the same quality level as the other two. It is based on the new Theta platform which will be shared with the upcoming Chevrolet Equinox as well as Pontiac and Suzuki SUVs.
Replacing the S-Series, the ION was introduced late in 2002. It is all new and is based on GM's global Delta platform. It's four-cylinder is the L850 DOHC engine.
Saturn was originally intended to compete with Honda, Toyota, and Nissan on price and quality. The brand has been starved for nearly a decade before the L-Series was introduced.
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