How much horsepower does a Saturn have?

How Much Horsepower Does a Saturn Have? Let’s Break It Down.

Saturn. Remember them? General Motors created this brand back in the day to take on the Japanese automakers. They offered a bunch of different models, so figuring out the horsepower of a Saturn isn’t always straightforward; it really depends on which model and year you’re talking about. Let’s dive into some of the most popular Saturns and what kind of power they packed.

The Saturn S-Series (1991-2002): The OG Saturn

The S-Series was Saturn’s first line, those compact cars that included the SL sedan, SC coupe, and SW wagon. These ran on a 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine. The cool part? You had a choice between a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) or a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) version.

• SOHC Engines: The early S-Series, from ’91 to ’94, with that LK0 engine? They put out a modest 85 horsepower. Not exactly a rocket, but reliable. Then, in ’95, things got a little boost. The SOHC engine (now the L24) got a multi-port fuel injection upgrade, bumping the power up to a more respectable 100 hp.
• DOHC Engines: Now, if you wanted a bit more pep in your Saturn, you went for the DOHC engines (LL0). These delivered a solid 124 horsepower. You usually found these in the fancier trim levels, like the SC2, SL2, and SW2. Definitely the ones to go for if you wanted to have a little fun.

Saturn Ion (2003-2007): Stepping into the 21st Century

The Ion replaced the S-Series in 2003. This compact car had a few different engine options during its run.

• Base Models: Most Ions came with a 2.2-liter Ecotec four-cylinder, which gave you around 140 horsepower. A decent step up from the old S-Series.
• Ion Red Line: Ah, the Red Line. This was the hot stuff. The Ion Red Line had a supercharged 2.0-liter Ecotec engine that cranked out 205 horsepower. Now we’re talking! This was a genuinely quick little car.

Saturn Vue (2002-2010): Saturn Goes SUV

The Vue was Saturn’s compact crossover SUV, and it was one of their best sellers. Engine choices varied quite a bit depending on the year and trim.

• Four-Cylinder Engines: The base Vue models often had a 2.2-liter four-cylinder, making around 143 horsepower. Good enough for getting around town.
• V6 Engines: But if you wanted some real grunt, you opted for a V6. The best one? A 3.5-liter V6, sourced from Honda, that produced a healthy 250 horsepower in the Red Line version. That’s the one you wanted for hauling stuff or just having some extra oomph.

Saturn Aura (2007-2009): Trying to Be European

The Aura was Saturn’s attempt at a mid-size sedan that could compete with the imports from Europe. Did it succeed? Well, that’s another story, but it did have some decent engines.

• Four-Cylinder Engines: Some Aura models had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that made about 169 horsepower. Not bad for a base engine.
• V6 Engines: But the real draw was the V6 options. The top dog was a 3.6-liter V6 with 252 horsepower. That gave the Aura some serious get-up-and-go.

Saturn Sky (2007-2010): The Sporty One

The Sky was a two-seat roadster and definitely the sportiest Saturn. It was a looker, too!

• Base Model: The standard Sky came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder, putting out around 177 horsepower. Fun for cruising.
• Sky Red Line: But if you wanted a true sports car experience, you went for the Sky Red Line. It had a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that pumped out 260 horsepower. This thing was a blast to drive!

Saturn Relay (2005-2007): The Minivan Experiment

The Saturn Relay was a minivan, marking a departure as the first Saturn without the brand’s signature polymer side panels.

• V6 Engine: Initially, the Relay featured a 3.5 L LX9 V6, delivering 200 hp. In 2006, they upped the ante with an optional 3.9 L LZ9 V6, boosting the output to 240 hp.

So, there you have it. The horsepower in a Saturn could range from a modest 85 hp in the early S-Series to a pretty impressive 260 hp in the Sky Red Line. It all came down to the specific model, year, and engine you chose. Happy motoring!