Does Saturn have a Honda engine?
No. Saturn did not use Honda engines in its production cars.
Saturn, the former GM brand launched in 1985 and discontinued in 2010, relied on General Motors powertrains for its vehicles. There are no production Saturn models that came with Honda-supplied engines. This article explains what powered Saturn cars and clarifies any misunderstandings about engine sourcing.
Background on Saturn and its engines
Saturn was created by General Motors to compete with Japanese imports, emphasizing value, simplicity, and a unique dealership experience. Over its history, Saturn offered models such as the S-Series (compact cars), Ion, Sky, Vue (SUV), and Aura (sedan). Across these generations, Saturn used GM-engineered or GM-sourced powertrains rather than engines from Honda.
Engine sources in Saturn models
The following list highlights the main engine families that powered Saturn vehicles, reflecting GM’s in-house powertrain strategy.
- 1.9-liter inline-four engines (S-Series, 1991–2002) — a basic GM powertrain used in early Saturns.
- 2.2-liter and 2.4-liter Ecotec inline-four engines (used in later S-Series, Ion, Sky, Vue) — widely used across Saturn and other GM models.
- 3.0-liter V6 engine (used in the Vue and related Saturn crossovers) — a larger GM powertrain for SUVs and larger cars.
These engine families illustrate that Saturn’s lineup relied on GM-designed powertrains, with no Honda-sourced engines in production cars.
About rumors of Honda involvement
Over the years, rumors of cross-brand engine sharing have circulated in automotive circles. However, there is no credible evidence that Honda supplied engines for Saturn’s production vehicles. If any one-off test mules or concept experiments existed, they did not reach market production or public sales.
Summary
In summary, Saturn vehicles were powered by General Motors engines, not Honda engines. Saturn’s history reflects GM’s in-house powertrain strategy, with engine families such as 1.9L, 2.2L/2.4L Ecotec, and 3.0L V6 powering the S-Series, Ion, Vue, Sky, and Aura lineup. The Honda brand did not supply engines for Saturn cars sold to customers.
Which Saturn has a Honda engine?
Saturn Vue
2005 Saturn Vue, fun fact that you may not know. 2004 to 2007 V6 Vue's have a 3.5 Honda V6.
Did the 2008 Saturn Vue have a Honda engine?
Saturn's small sporty utility ditches the Honda engine for something from the corporate candy bin. It was a dirty little secret that Saturn tried to hide, but the press just couldn't let it go. The last generation Saturn Vue Red Line's 250 hp came courtesy of a Honda V-6.
Who makes the engines for Saturn?
Saturn Corporation
Is Saturn owned by Honda?
The Saturn Corporation, also known as Saturn LLC, was an American automobile manufacturer, a registered trademark established on January 7, 1985, as a subsidiary of General Motors. The company was an attempt by GM to compete directly with Japanese imports and transplants, initially in the American compact car market.
