The Best Saturn Station Wagons
Saturn stopped producing vehicles in 2010, but its early 2000s L-series and 1990s S-series had station wagon models available.
Written by Shannon Fitzgerald
Reviewed by Jessica Barrett
Though
Saturn
ultimately stopped manufacturing vehicles in 2010, its S-series and L-series in the 1990s and early 2000s had station wagon builds available. Formerly a GM brand, Saturn marketed itself as “a new kind of car company.” But while its “no-haggle” price model gave it some popularity amongst car buyers, its lackluster styling and material quality didn’t leave it much resonating power today. Still, the classic beige Saturn station wagon became a common fixture on the road in its time, especially during the height of the S-series’ popularity in the late 90s.
Today, station wagons as a whole have been widely replaced with the more versatile SUV or van. But nostalgic drivers can still purchase used Saturn station wagons for sale in relatively good shape—and top-rated
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Does Saturn still make a station wagon?
No. In fact, Saturn hasn’t made any vehicles since its disbandment in 2010.
Before the brand was discontinued, however, it did offer station wagons through its first four generations—reaching the most critical success with its S-series station wagon models, the
Saturn SW1
and Saturn SW2
.What’s the difference between a station wagon and a hatchback?
Side-by-side, station wagons and
hatchbacks
may appear nearly identical, but there are some key differences between the two. Generally, this boils down to style and storage. For example, station wagons usually:
- Have longer bodies than hatchbacks
- Offer more passenger and cargo space (which is accessed by a liftgate)
- Utilize an extra, vertical pillar—or a D-pillar—in the roof support
- Intend for more cargo storage in their build
Sedans are constructed as three-box vehicles, separating the engine, passenger space, and cargo storage into individual compartments. Station wagons and hatchbacks, on the other hand, only use a two-box design—merging seating and storage.
While hatchbacks typically prioritize smoother styling in this design, station wagons lean more toward amplifying storage and seating capacity as much as possible. That’s why some hatchbacks have shorter, sloping bodies whereas wagons are a bit boxier.
MORE: The top 10 best station wagons
The best Saturn station wagons you can buy
Though you can’t buy a new Saturn station wagon from the dealership these days, there are older S-Series and L-Series models you can purchase from a local used car dealer.
You can also look for a Saturn station wagon through an online used car marketplace. Some reliable places to look are
Kelley Blue Book
and Edmunds
, but you can also try searching (carefully) on sites like Craigslist
, as well. Here’s a look at what Saturn station wagons might be out there.
Saturn S-Series
Original MSRP: $14,290
Fair market range: $1,803 to $3,552
Passenger volume: 91.8 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 58.2 cubic feet (rear seats folded)
Engine: 100-hp four-cylinder or 124-hp twin-cam four-cylinder
Produced between 1993 and 2001, S-Series Saturn station wagons generally came in a standard SW1 and higher-end SW2 trim—mirroring the engine, suspensions, and gauge designs of the
Saturn SL1
and Saturn SL2
sedans. In its 2001 model, this meant the Saturn station wagon was equipped with a standard 100-hp four-cylinder or 124-hp twin-cam four-cylinder upgrade. Also standard were “ding, dent, and rust-resistant” polymer exterior panels.
Key complaints were that the interior seating was low to the ground and made with flimsier material, making it a bit uncomfortable during long car rides. Additionally, standard features were minimal—to build a wagon with essentials like AC and anti-lock brakes, you had to pay for each individually.
That said, with 91.8 cubic feet of passenger space and 58.2 cubic feet of cargo storage, the Saturn S-Series wagon excelled in roominess. It also excelled in customer support and satisfaction. While you, unfortunately, can’t head to a Saturn dealership today to enjoy this service, most
GMC
dealerships will take care of the maintenance and repair needs of Saturn wagon owners—just be sure to call ahead to confirm. Saturn L-Series
Original MSRP: $16,995
Fair market range: $1,893 to $4,102
Passenger volume: 98 cubic feet
Cargo volume: 79 cubic feet (rear seats folded)
Engine: 140-hp four-cylinder, 182-hp V6
With station wagon models only available between 2000 and 2004, the Saturn L-Series is a little more elusive today in the used car market than the S-Series.
Unlike the S-Series Saturn station wagons, L-Series wagons came with much more standard features, including:
- Head curtain airbags
- ABS
- Heated mirrors
- Six-speaker CD stereo
- Tilt steering wheel
Optionally, you could purchase an auto-dimming rearview mirror with a compass. Saturn wagon drivers who loaded their vehicle with a V6 engine at the highest trim level could also add on (at no cost) a DVD entertainment system or OnStar telematics.
Though the L-Series continued the S-Series’ legacy of massive storage and passenger space, its interior material quality remained subpar to less-roomy competitors like the
Honda Accord LX
and Toyota Camry LE
. New steel quarter panels were outfitted on its signature “ding, dent, and rust-resistant” polymer panels, however, offering greater support during the ride. 
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How to save money on Saturn insurance
If you choose to purchase a used Saturn station wagon from a private seller, you’ll want to make sure your vehicle is well-protected on the road—especially given its older age.
Jerry
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The average user ends up saving more than $800 a year on
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