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1995
Saturn SL

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$10,995
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New 1995 Saturn SL
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Available trims

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  • 4dr Sedan SL1 5-Spd Manual
    Starts at
    $10,995
    See all specs
  • 4dr Sedan SL2 5-Spd Manual
    Starts at
    $11,995
    See all specs

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Expert 1995 Saturn SL review

our expert's take
Our expert's take
By
Full article
our expert's take

Little things. Annoyances. Nuisances. Nit-picking aggravations that you have to live with until it’s time to turn the old buggy in for a new one.

The folks from Saturn made a list of customer gripes and set out to make some needed changes for the 1995 model year. For the most part Saturn delivered.

Consider past gripes and Saturn solutions for ’95.

– The 1.9-liter, single overhead cam, 4-cylinder engine has been converted to port fuel injection from throttle-body injection. That boosted horsepower to 100 from 85, while increasing fuel economy by 3 miles per gallon on the highway with manual transmission and 1 m.p.g. in city and highway with automatic.

– All Saturns now sport dual air bags to satisfy those who shop safety and to lure customers away from the new Dodge and Plymouth Neon, which offer dualbags on their 1994 models to Saturn’s driver’s bag.

– All Saturns lacked cupholders, but now owners will have the choice of onecupholder/one ashtray in the center console or a removable ashtray to provide dual cupholders.

But, as we said, not all the customers’ wishes were not granted.

– All Saturns needed a styling upgrade so the SC1 coupe sports a new front end and the SC2 coupe a new front and rear. But the SL, SL1 and SL2 sedans andSW1 and SW2 wagons remain unchanged. The sedans get their redesign for 1996. Base models continue to offer black bumpers, SL2, SC2 and SW2 continue with body-colored bumpers for 1995.

– All Saturns with automatic transmission tend to be noisy. They’ve been quieted for 1995, but a 4-cylinder and automatic will never purr like a V-8.

– With dual air bags, the automaker did away with the automatic safety belts that wrapped around front-seat occupants when the ignition key was turned on and then retracted to allow them exit when the key was turned off. Though some complained the belts performed like a crazed octopus, they forced motorists to wear a shoulder belt. For 1995, motorists must reach over, grab the lap/shoulder belt, pull it across and fasten it into the holder.

– Cupholders will hold 12-ounce pop cans or coffee cups, but not 16-ounce bottles or mugs with handles.

– Saturn owners who want to move into a larger model can’t because the automaker hopes that loyalists will visit a sister division-Buick, Oldsmobile,Pontiac or Chevy-when they need a bigger vehicle that holds more people. That’s not expected to change.

– Saturn owners who want a convertible can’t get one, though officials promise one once they figure out how to retain a rear seat for two passengers.

Saturn unveiled its 1995 model lineup here and let the media drive a variety of models through the Tennessee countryside. Our initial impressions with the hand-built prototypes:

SL1 sedan: The base 1.9-liter engine needed a power boost and gets it for ’95 with the port fuel injection. Still no screamer off the line, but you don’t experience fi rst gear wheezing trying to flee the stoplight or climb theincline with the 100-h.p. 4 as you did with the 85-h.p. version. Still, even at 100 h.p., you need to play with the shift lever often to gain the momentum to travel the Tennessee hills.

For the fuel-conscious, the upgraded 1.9 delivers 28 m.p.g. city/40 m.p.g. highway with manual transmission, up from 28/37 for ’94, and 27/36 with 4-speed automatic, up from 26/35 for 1994. The 5-speed is fairly smooth between gears but the engine is rather loud approaching each shift point.

Saturn still hasn’t solved the problem of narrow side wing bolsters for those who don’t shop at the 3-5-7 shop. Oddly, in adding dual bags, Saturn redid the dash and the steering wheel to provide more open space in the ring for motorists to see the instrument panel ahead and the lights/wiper stalks oneach side. But the turn signal stalk seems unnecessarily big and requires too much effort to use. Chrysler focused on slippery smooth sta lk controls and turn indicators in its new cars. Saturn must not have paid attention.

Our test vehicle came with the standard 14-inch tires. With those tires andthe fact the SL1’s suspension is a tad soft, you’ll experience some road wander.

Unlike many new cars that place the passenger-side air bag in the top of the dash, Saturn put it dead center and still provided a rather large glove box underneath. To ensure the bag is directed toward the passenger in a frontal impact, the dash includes an “eyebrow” protrusion over the bag openingto guide its travel.

SC2 coupe: The big change here is a single-piece plastic front end with foglights and a new rear end with larger taillights and a more rounded, higher standing deck lid spoiler to make it easier for owners to wash or wax.

The 1.9-liter, 124-h.p., dual overhead cam, 4-cylinder is sufficiently lively with the 5-speed manual. A slight modification in transmission gearing raises the top-of-the-line coupe’s mileage rating to 25/35 from 25/34 with manual and to 24/34 from 23/32 with automatic.

With a sportier suspension and larger 15-inch tires, the SC2 coupe has noticeably better road manners than all other Saturns. Sits well in corners and turns and has less of a tendency to wander between the lane markers.

For 1995 the coupes feature a lap/shoulder belt adjustment along the door pillar to compensate for different motorist heights. Sedans won’t have that feature until next year, when they are redesigned.

A noticeable plus for ’95 is that Saturn went back to color-coordinated dashes. In 1994 you could get any color dash you wanted as long as it was charcoal. The one-color-fits-all dash may have saved Saturn money, but it failed in making a fashion statement.

Usually the seat side wings feel narrow when the seats are finished in leather but wide and more comfortable when the seats are finished in cloth. Saturn is the exception. This car came with leather seats, and the bolsters were more supportive than those in the SL1 sedan in cloth. The SC coupe invites more aggressive driving with its more powerful engine and larger 15-inch tires, and you need the support to keep you in your seat.

SW2 wagon: When equipped with automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes (again an option in all Saturns and not standard), traction control is an option. For 1995, you’ll find three buttons at the center top of the dash, onefor traction control, one for rear window defroster, one for fog lights.

Traction control is always in the “on” mode until you disengage it by pushing the easy-to-see-and-use button. Found out firsthand that the system works when rounding a corner covered with loose gravel, at speed, without sacrificing footing.

In this car, as in all Saturns, the automaker showed its focus on simplicity and avoidance of stuffiness by putting the word “air bag” in the steering wheel hub and in the dash where the cushion restraints are. Many automakers use a more formal code, such as SRS (supplemental restraint system)or SIR (supplemental inflatable restraint). Saturn adds the words air bag so subsequent buyers will know they are getting dual bags when the car reaches the used-car lot. Nice touch.

SW1 wagon: Surprise. Figured the new 100-h.p., 4-cylinder would show a lackof oomph compared with the same engine and 5-speed manual in the SL1 sedan we drove. Not the case, though the transmission was forced to shift a lot on its own when traveling up and down hills to regain the energy needed for the trip.And when starting from the stoplight, you’ll hear some engine/trans groan, though not at the same decibel level as in years past.

One bit of advice: If you decide to pass a slow-moving pickup in a Saturn with the 100-h.p. engine and 4-speed automatic, you’ll need to start building up momentum a few blocks sooner than you would with the 100-h.p. engine and 5-speed or the 124-h.p., 4 and 5-speed or automatic.

Another pleasant surprise on all Saturn wagons and sedans is a redesign of the plastic facia running floor to ceiling along the inside of the center doorpillar. In past models, when entering the car, it was easy to catch clothes orbuttons-or whatever-on a so-called protective plastic lip that stuck out on each side of the pillar. If you didn’t lose a button, you’d at least pull the plastic from its mooring. For 1995, rather than a plastic lip over the facia, you have a one-piece facia that should mean less wear and tear on buttons and less chance of dislodging the facia. Another nice touch.

1995 Saturn SL review: Our expert's take
By

Little things. Annoyances. Nuisances. Nit-picking aggravations that you have to live with until it’s time to turn the old buggy in for a new one.

The folks from Saturn made a list of customer gripes and set out to make some needed changes for the 1995 model year. For the most part Saturn delivered.

Consider past gripes and Saturn solutions for ’95.

– The 1.9-liter, single overhead cam, 4-cylinder engine has been converted to port fuel injection from throttle-body injection. That boosted horsepower to 100 from 85, while increasing fuel economy by 3 miles per gallon on the highway with manual transmission and 1 m.p.g. in city and highway with automatic.

– All Saturns now sport dual air bags to satisfy those who shop safety and to lure customers away from the new Dodge and Plymouth Neon, which offer dualbags on their 1994 models to Saturn’s driver’s bag.

– All Saturns lacked cupholders, but now owners will have the choice of onecupholder/one ashtray in the center console or a removable ashtray to provide dual cupholders.

But, as we said, not all the customers’ wishes were not granted.

– All Saturns needed a styling upgrade so the SC1 coupe sports a new front end and the SC2 coupe a new front and rear. But the SL, SL1 and SL2 sedans andSW1 and SW2 wagons remain unchanged. The sedans get their redesign for 1996. Base models continue to offer black bumpers, SL2, SC2 and SW2 continue with body-colored bumpers for 1995.

– All Saturns with automatic transmission tend to be noisy. They’ve been quieted for 1995, but a 4-cylinder and automatic will never purr like a V-8.

– With dual air bags, the automaker did away with the automatic safety belts that wrapped around front-seat occupants when the ignition key was turned on and then retracted to allow them exit when the key was turned off. Though some complained the belts performed like a crazed octopus, they forced motorists to wear a shoulder belt. For 1995, motorists must reach over, grab the lap/shoulder belt, pull it across and fasten it into the holder.

– Cupholders will hold 12-ounce pop cans or coffee cups, but not 16-ounce bottles or mugs with handles.

– Saturn owners who want to move into a larger model can’t because the automaker hopes that loyalists will visit a sister division-Buick, Oldsmobile,Pontiac or Chevy-when they need a bigger vehicle that holds more people. That’s not expected to change.

– Saturn owners who want a convertible can’t get one, though officials promise one once they figure out how to retain a rear seat for two passengers.

Saturn unveiled its 1995 model lineup here and let the media drive a variety of models through the Tennessee countryside. Our initial impressions with the hand-built prototypes:

SL1 sedan: The base 1.9-liter engine needed a power boost and gets it for ’95 with the port fuel injection. Still no screamer off the line, but you don’t experience fi rst gear wheezing trying to flee the stoplight or climb theincline with the 100-h.p. 4 as you did with the 85-h.p. version. Still, even at 100 h.p., you need to play with the shift lever often to gain the momentum to travel the Tennessee hills.

For the fuel-conscious, the upgraded 1.9 delivers 28 m.p.g. city/40 m.p.g. highway with manual transmission, up from 28/37 for ’94, and 27/36 with 4-speed automatic, up from 26/35 for 1994. The 5-speed is fairly smooth between gears but the engine is rather loud approaching each shift point.

Saturn still hasn’t solved the problem of narrow side wing bolsters for those who don’t shop at the 3-5-7 shop. Oddly, in adding dual bags, Saturn redid the dash and the steering wheel to provide more open space in the ring for motorists to see the instrument panel ahead and the lights/wiper stalks oneach side. But the turn signal stalk seems unnecessarily big and requires too much effort to use. Chrysler focused on slippery smooth sta lk controls and turn indicators in its new cars. Saturn must not have paid attention.

Our test vehicle came with the standard 14-inch tires. With those tires andthe fact the SL1’s suspension is a tad soft, you’ll experience some road wander.

Unlike many new cars that place the passenger-side air bag in the top of the dash, Saturn put it dead center and still provided a rather large glove box underneath. To ensure the bag is directed toward the passenger in a frontal impact, the dash includes an “eyebrow” protrusion over the bag openingto guide its travel.

SC2 coupe: The big change here is a single-piece plastic front end with foglights and a new rear end with larger taillights and a more rounded, higher standing deck lid spoiler to make it easier for owners to wash or wax.

The 1.9-liter, 124-h.p., dual overhead cam, 4-cylinder is sufficiently lively with the 5-speed manual. A slight modification in transmission gearing raises the top-of-the-line coupe’s mileage rating to 25/35 from 25/34 with manual and to 24/34 from 23/32 with automatic.

With a sportier suspension and larger 15-inch tires, the SC2 coupe has noticeably better road manners than all other Saturns. Sits well in corners and turns and has less of a tendency to wander between the lane markers.

For 1995 the coupes feature a lap/shoulder belt adjustment along the door pillar to compensate for different motorist heights. Sedans won’t have that feature until next year, when they are redesigned.

A noticeable plus for ’95 is that Saturn went back to color-coordinated dashes. In 1994 you could get any color dash you wanted as long as it was charcoal. The one-color-fits-all dash may have saved Saturn money, but it failed in making a fashion statement.

Usually the seat side wings feel narrow when the seats are finished in leather but wide and more comfortable when the seats are finished in cloth. Saturn is the exception. This car came with leather seats, and the bolsters were more supportive than those in the SL1 sedan in cloth. The SC coupe invites more aggressive driving with its more powerful engine and larger 15-inch tires, and you need the support to keep you in your seat.

SW2 wagon: When equipped with automatic transmission and anti-lock brakes (again an option in all Saturns and not standard), traction control is an option. For 1995, you’ll find three buttons at the center top of the dash, onefor traction control, one for rear window defroster, one for fog lights.

Traction control is always in the “on” mode until you disengage it by pushing the easy-to-see-and-use button. Found out firsthand that the system works when rounding a corner covered with loose gravel, at speed, without sacrificing footing.

In this car, as in all Saturns, the automaker showed its focus on simplicity and avoidance of stuffiness by putting the word “air bag” in the steering wheel hub and in the dash where the cushion restraints are. Many automakers use a more formal code, such as SRS (supplemental restraint system)or SIR (supplemental inflatable restraint). Saturn adds the words air bag so subsequent buyers will know they are getting dual bags when the car reaches the used-car lot. Nice touch.

SW1 wagon: Surprise. Figured the new 100-h.p., 4-cylinder would show a lackof oomph compared with the same engine and 5-speed manual in the SL1 sedan we drove. Not the case, though the transmission was forced to shift a lot on its own when traveling up and down hills to regain the energy needed for the trip.And when starting from the stoplight, you’ll hear some engine/trans groan, though not at the same decibel level as in years past.

One bit of advice: If you decide to pass a slow-moving pickup in a Saturn with the 100-h.p. engine and 4-speed automatic, you’ll need to start building up momentum a few blocks sooner than you would with the 100-h.p. engine and 5-speed or the 124-h.p., 4 and 5-speed or automatic.

Another pleasant surprise on all Saturn wagons and sedans is a redesign of the plastic facia running floor to ceiling along the inside of the center doorpillar. In past models, when entering the car, it was easy to catch clothes orbuttons-or whatever-on a so-called protective plastic lip that stuck out on each side of the pillar. If you didn’t lose a button, you’d at least pull the plastic from its mooring. For 1995, rather than a plastic lip over the facia, you have a one-piece facia that should mean less wear and tear on buttons and less chance of dislodging the facia. Another nice touch.

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Consumer reviews

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
Write a review
Comfort 3.9
Interior 4.1
Performance 4.3
Value 4.8
Exterior 4.1
Reliability 4.8

Most recent

  • Great great little car super reliable super cheap to fix

    Great great little car super reliable super cheap to fix great gas mileage. Love the plastic body panels no dents.. rides a little rough interior cheap plastic but holds up. Not super comfy. Fast and luxury it's not. But cheap and reliable it is.... Is it better than a Toyota Corolla? Just as reliable and cheaper to maintain. Long lasting clutch timing chain not a belt.🇺🇸🇺🇸
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • best all around car I ever owned

    The car belonged to my cousin and he passed away and left it to me. I would have never thought about buying one. I rode in it with him,it was ok . Once I owned it and drove it, totally changed my mind, For a small car drives great, has decent power,I get 28-30 mpg in town. Blew me away. It suddenly became the best car I've had since I was 21, now 66 and I love this car. Starting to rust,but I live in Ohio. So I've already been looking for another one.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Very reliable vehicle!

    Single owner for 24 years! Excellent vehicle and dependable for value. No major maintenance required. Just routine maintenance, great gas mileage and no dickering over price; something no longer since Saturn has been discontinued.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    1 person out of 1 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • One of the best cars I have owned.

    This has been a great car for my wife to drive. It has never had any problems since I owned it. Great on gas... easy to work in if needed and a great value.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • it's a very reliable source of transportation its

    This car is good on gas and gets me around great car all around I love driven it it's very good on gas and I would tell anyone to get themselves one
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Transporting family
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Owned 22 years

    This is a bulletproof car.. This has been said by many owner.. 225000 and still running strong.. Hard to believe but the AC still works.. Got to open hood each week to check oil and fluids but no big deal..No car payment now for 18 years..
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 5.0
    Interior 5.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 5.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • 1995 Saturn Sl1

    My first car was this one. I've had it for 2 years and have put it through h e l l, what teenager wouldn't. It is a very reliable car for being 18 years old and a great gas saver. I love this car to death and plan on keeling it running for another 200,000 miles. There are some fixes to deal with here and there but that is expected, which I don't mind because the parts for this car are very cheap and not hard to find. Only 1 big fix was made to this car since I've had it. The clutch went out at 180,000 miles which isn't uncommon, and still it was only around 200 to fix.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • Don't do it

    I test drove this car and it stalled. When it stalled I couldn't get it to start for about 20 minutes. Compression starting it wouldn't even work. There are scratches all around the car. Passenger side door is very stuck and the mirror is missing. I was actually still willing to possibly buy but the dealer was rude and wouldn't even try to talk down the price. Coolant as oil in it as well
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does not recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 2.0
    Performance 2.0
    Value 1.0
    Exterior 2.0
    Reliability 1.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • BEST CHEAP CAR ON MARKET

    I bought this car brand new in 95, its not cool or sexy but it is Bulletproof.very easy and cheap to repair, i have changed oil every 3000 miles since new and now have 302,000 miles on it on original engine and transmission and still get 35mpg, try that on a $11,000 japanese car. I still drive it everyday on my 70 mile round trip commute..great everyday transportation.
    • Purchased a New car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • tough little car

    I recieved my 1995 SL as a gift from my sister. when i first got this car, I was hesitant about it. my real intent was to get it into good condition and sell it to buy a civic or some other cheap import. After a couple weeks of owning it, I grew to love it. It's reliable. I have only done one repair (leaky valve cover gasket) since i've owned it, otherwise, the only money I've put in have been maintenance and upgrades (alarm system and audio system) This little car is fun to drive. It's far from fast, but has great handling, and actually matches the rated gas mileage (which I've noticed is rare from cars of this age) The s-series cars are easy and even pleasant to work on, and a nice balance of simple and useful. The only real thing to be careful on is the oil level. These cars were actually designed to burn oil, i've read this has to do with the quality of 5w30 oil at the time they were designed. Other than that, they are pretty foolproof. The design was a bit ahead of it's time, pretty well-styled. the interior is functional and relatively comfortable. The back seats of the sedan are a bit on the small side, but the driver and front passenger seats are pretty spacious. I'm abotu 6'5" and have no troubles in this car, even taking it on long drives I stay comfortable.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 4.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • served it's purpose

    this is a great car to get you from point a to b. reliable, fuel efficient, and if you have a manual tranny, not entirely boring. had been through 2 other owners before me, and 3 people learning to drive stick, passed it down to my sister, she still drives it.
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 3.0
    Interior 3.0
    Performance 3.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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  • College Student First car

    I brought this car from a local saturn dealer in aug 07 and it had 17k mi on it because the original owner was an elderly woman who used it for basic, short trips until she lost her ability to drive. This is my first car and I LOVE it. It's reliable, handles great and gets great gas mileage. It's also gold too...I call it Retriever because it's gold and dependable like a Golden Retriever lol. I drove almost 50 mi yesterday and barely used 1/4 tank of gas! Since i'm currently in college, i was thinking about getting a new car after i graduate but I'm probably going to keep it for many years to come!
    • Purchased a Used car
    • Used for Commuting
    • Does recommend this car
    Comfort 4.0
    Interior 4.0
    Performance 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Exterior 3.0
    Reliability 5.0
    0 people out of 0 found this review helpful. Did you?
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FAQ

What trim levels are available for the 1995 Saturn SL?

The 1995 Saturn SL is available in 1 trim level:

  • (2 styles)

Is the 1995 Saturn SL reliable?

The 1995 Saturn SL has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of 5 according to cars.com consumers. Find real-world reliability insights within consumer reviews from 1995 Saturn SL owners.

Is the 1995 Saturn SL a good Sedan?

Below are the cars.com consumers ratings for the 1995 Saturn SL. 94.7% of drivers recommend this vehicle.

4.5 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
  • Comfort: 3.9
  • Interior: 4.1
  • Performance: 4.3
  • Value: 4.8
  • Exterior: 4.1
  • Reliability: 4.8
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