2002 Saturn SC

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(4.4) 15 reviews
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2002 Saturn SC
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Key Specs
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Overview
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Key Specs

of the 2002 Saturn SC. Base trim shown.

  • Body Type:
    Coupe
  • Combined MPG:
    32-34 Combined MPG
  • Engine:
    100-hp, 1.9-liter I-4 (regular gas)
  • Drivetrain:
    Front-wheel Drive
  • View more specs

2002 Saturn SC Overview

By Cars.com Editors
Vehicle Overview
Changes are few in 2002 for the subcompact Saturn coupes, again offered in SC1 and SC2 form, which depends on the engine. Floormats are now standard in the SC2 coupe, which can be equipped with newly optional 15-inch aluminum wheels. Two-tone black/gray leather replaces tan leather upholstery as an SC2 option. Coupes are built from the same front-drive design as the SL sedan and the SW2 wagon.

Saturn gained attention early in 2001 by installing a standard third door on the driver’s side — an industry first. Optional curtain-type airbags store in the ceiling above the side windows and inflate along the length of the passenger compartment. Curtain airbags activate during a side-impact collision. Like all Saturns, the coupes use polymer lower body panels, but the hood, trunk and roof are made of steel.

From the beginning, Saturn has been best known for the customer-friendly shopping and buying experiences at its dealerships, more than for the products themselves. Sales of the subcompact S-Series fell by 14.7 percent — to 177,355 units — during 2000.

Exterior
Styling changes for 2001 included new lower-body panels and fresh front and rear fascias. All coupes have two conventional doors and a standard third door on the driver’s side. Called a “rear access door,” it swings open to the rear after the driver’s door is opened. An integrated design makes it nearly unnoticeable when the door is closed. The coupe rides on a 102.4-inch ...
Vehicle Overview
Changes are few in 2002 for the subcompact Saturn coupes, again offered in SC1 and SC2 form, which depends on the engine. Floormats are now standard in the SC2 coupe, which can be equipped with newly optional 15-inch aluminum wheels. Two-tone black/gray leather replaces tan leather upholstery as an SC2 option. Coupes are built from the same front-drive design as the SL sedan and the SW2 wagon.

Saturn gained attention early in 2001 by installing a standard third door on the driver’s side — an industry first. Optional curtain-type airbags store in the ceiling above the side windows and inflate along the length of the passenger compartment. Curtain airbags activate during a side-impact collision. Like all Saturns, the coupes use polymer lower body panels, but the hood, trunk and roof are made of steel.

From the beginning, Saturn has been best known for the customer-friendly shopping and buying experiences at its dealerships, more than for the products themselves. Sales of the subcompact S-Series fell by 14.7 percent — to 177,355 units — during 2000.

Exterior
Styling changes for 2001 included new lower-body panels and fresh front and rear fascias. All coupes have two conventional doors and a standard third door on the driver’s side. Called a “rear access door,” it swings open to the rear after the driver’s door is opened. An integrated design makes it nearly unnoticeable when the door is closed. The coupe rides on a 102.4-inch wheelbase and measures 180.5 inches long and 53 inches high.

Interior
Room in the four-passenger coupe’s backseat is significantly smaller than that of the SL sedans, which are capable of carrying five occupants. Even so, Saturn coupes have more rear space than some other sporty two-door models. The rear access door permits easier loading of both passengers and cargo — a feature that has not been adopted by competitors. In addition, with an 11.4-cubic-foot capacity, the Saturn coupe’s trunk is large enough to hold two golf bags.

Under the Hood
Coupes carry the same two engines as other S-Series models. The SC1 coupe uses a 100-horsepower, 1.9-liter single-overhead-camshaft four-cylinder. A dual-overhead-camshaft version rated at 124 hp goes into the SC2. Both engines team with either a five-speed manual or an optional four-speed-automatic transmission.

Safety
All Saturns can be equipped with curtain-type airbags that protect the heads of front and rear occupants. Antilock brakes are also optional.

Driving Impressions
From the time they debuted in 1990, Saturns have been noisy and rather unrefined. Although the coupes have improved over the years, they continue to fall short of various rivals. Acceleration is brisk in the SC2 with its dual-cam engine, but the SC1 isn’t so swift. In either form, the ride is a bit on the stiff side.

Saturns can be enjoyable to drive. They maneuver easily, and the rear access door is an undeniably clever innovation. Plenty of owners love their Saturns. But the company scores higher for the easygoing buying experience it provides than for the on-the-road performance of its products.
 
Reported by Jim Flammang  for cars.com
From the cars.com 2002 Buying Guide

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Consumer Reviews

4.4
15 reviews
Exterior Styling
(4.3)
Performance
(4.3)
Interior Design
(3.9)
Comfort
(4.0)
Reliability
(4.3)
Value For The Money
(4.5)

What Drivers Are Saying

(4.0)

Best Value One Owner Car

by BEP1102 from RENTON, WA on April 20, 2018

This car meets all my needs it was something I could afford to buy outright was very well maintained and has low miles. I am very happy with my choice Read full review

(5.0)

Loved it

by LoLo from Philadelphia on June 23, 2017

The 3rd door made it easier to get backseat passengers in but the faux window on the other side i didnt like. Great on gas only 20 to fill it up.great accelaration and handling Read full review

Safety & Recalls

Recalls

The 2002 Saturn SC currently has 1 recall

Crash and Rollover Test Ratings

The 2002 Saturn SC has not been tested.

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Cars.com Car Seat Check

Certified child passenger safety technicians conduct hands-on tests of a car’s Latch system and check the vehicle’s ability to accommodate different types of car seats. The SC received the following grades on a scale of A-F.*
* This score may not apply to all trims, especially for vehicles with multiple body styles that affect the space and design of the seating.

Warranty FAQs

What is a Bumper-to-Bumper warranty?

Often called a basic warranty or new-vehicle warranty, a bumper-to-bumper policy covers components like air conditioning, audio systems, vehicle sensors, fuel systems and major electrical components. Most policies exclude regular maintenance like fluid top offs and oil changes, but a few brands have separate free-maintenance provisions, and those that do offer them is slowly rising. Bumper-to-bumper warranties typically expire faster than powertrain warranties.

What is a Powertrain warranty?

Don't be misled a 10-year or 100,000-mile powertrain warranty doesn't promise a decade of free repairs for your car. It typically covers just the engine and transmission, along with any other moving parts that lead to the wheels, like the driveshaft and constant velocity joints. Some automakers also bundle seat belts and airbags into their powertrain warranties. With a few exceptions, powertrain warranties don't cover regular maintenance like engine tuneups and tire rotations.

What is included in Roadside Assistance?

Some automakers include roadside assistance with their bumper-to-bumper or powertrain warranties, while others have separate policies. These programs cover anything from flat-tire changes and locksmith services to jump-starts and towing. Few reimburse incidental costs like motel rooms (if you have to wait for repairs).

What other services could be included in a warranty?

Some automakers include free scheduled maintenance for items such as oil changes, air filters and tire rotations. Some include consumables including brake pads and windshield wipers; others do not. They are typically for the first couple of years of ownership of a new car.

What does CPO mean?

A certified pre-owned or CPO car has been inspected to meet minimum quality standards and typically includes some type of warranty. While dealers and third parties certify cars, the gold standard is an automaker-certified vehicle that provides a factory-backed warranty, often extending the original coverage. Vehicles must be in excellent condition and have low miles and wear to be certified, which is why off-lease vehicles feed many CPO programs.

See also the latest CPO incentives by automaker