It was introduced for the 2005 model year, and was built alongside its badge-engineered variants—the Buick Terraza, the Chevrolet Uplander, and the Pontiac Montana SV6—in Doraville, Georgia.

For 2006, a 3.9L LZ9 V6, with 240 hp (179 kW) and 240 lb·ft (332 Nm) torque, was added as an option, which delivered faster acceleration and better response than the 3.5L engine.

[1] The Relay scored three "Good" ratings (the highest possible score) and two "Acceptable" ratings (the second highest possible score) in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) crash tests.In terms of gas mileage, the Relay is rated at 19 miles per US gallon (12 L/100 km; 23 mpg‑imp) city and 25 miles per US gallon (9.4 L/100 km; 30 mpg‑imp) highway.

The Relay 3 also featured an optional navigation radio, as well as standard first-row side impact air bags, traction control, and power-sliding passenger-side door.

The 3.5L V6 was dropped, leaving the 3.9L as the base engine, with flex-fuel capability later becoming optional but only for fleet applications.

The Relay was replaced by the Saturn Outlook, an 8-passenger crossover SUV riding on the General Motors Lambda platform.