Saab 9-3 Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record
The Saab 9-3 Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 14 model years, from 1999 to 2012. Across those years its best rated version returned 24 mpg (2002) and its thirstiest returned 18 mpg (2007). The EPA record holds 42 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 3 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #30 of 40 (26th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2000 | 4 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #21 of 39 (47th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium, Regular | Subcompact Cars |
| 2001 | 4 | 22 mpg | 21 mpg | #16 of 37 (58th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2002 | 2 | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | #9 of 34 (76th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2003 | 2 | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | #9 of 28 (70th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2004 | 3 | 22 mpg | 20 mpg | #10 of 31 (70th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2005 | 2 | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | #11 of 29 (64th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2006 | 4 | 21 mpg | 19 mpg | #19 of 38 (51th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2007 | 4 | 21 mpg | 18 mpg | #21 of 40 (49th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium, Regular | Subcompact Cars |
| 2008 | 4 | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | #25 of 59 (59th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars |
| 2009 | 4 | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | #27 of 61 (57th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars |
| 2010 | 2 | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | #27 of 63 (58th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars |
| 2011 | 2 | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | #38 of 64 (41th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2012 | 2 | 24 mpg | 21 mpg | #47 of 76 (39th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Gasoline or E85 | Compact Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Saab 9-3 Convertible placed highest in 2002 at #9 of 34, and lowest in 2012 at #47 of 76. It spent 9 of its 14 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 42 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.
| Year | Configuration | Engine detail | City | Highway | Combined | Gallons/yr | Barrels/yr | EPA fuel cost/yr | CO2 g/mi | GHG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Gasoline or E85 | SIDI; FFV, turbocharged, FFV | 18 | 28 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Gasoline or E85 | SIDI; FFV, turbocharged, FFV | 20 | 32 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $2,600 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 20 | 28 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2009 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2009 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2009 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2009 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2008 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 15 | 24 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $4,300 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2008 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2008 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2008 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2007 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 15 | 26 | 18 | 638.9 | 16.5 | $3,450 | 493.72222222222223 | n/a |
| 2007 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2007 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2007 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2006 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 16 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2006 | 2.8L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Premium | 2.8L 6-cyl, turbocharged | 15 | 26 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2006 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2006 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2005 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $4,100 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 2005 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | B207R, turbocharged | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B207R, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Premium | B207R, turbocharged | 18 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2003 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2003 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $3,350 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2002 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 20 | 30 | 24 | 479.2 | 12.4 | $3,250 | 370.2916666666667 | n/a |
| 2001 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | B205L, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 19 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 19 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2001 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | B205L, turbocharged | 19 | 26 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 17 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | B205L, turbocharged | 18 | 23 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | B205L, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B205R, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | B204L3, turbocharged | 17 | 23 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B2O4R3, turbocharged | 17 | 25 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.0L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | B2O4L3, turbocharged | 18 | 25 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 5 of 8 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 → 2000 | 21 → 22 mpg | +1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 2001 → 2002 | 22 → 24 mpg | +2 mpg | 479 gal |
| 2002 → 2003 | 24 → 23 mpg | -1 mpg | 500 gal |
| 2003 → 2004 | 23 → 22 mpg | -1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 2005 → 2006 | 22 → 21 mpg | -1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2007 → 2008 | 21 → 22 mpg | +1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 2009 → 2010 | 22 → 23 mpg | +1 mpg | 500 gal |
| 2011 → 2012 | 23 → 24 mpg | +1 mpg | 479 gal |
What 9-3 Convertible fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible burns 479 to 548 gallons depending on configuration. Below is what that costs at three pump prices, and how much more the thirstiest configuration costs than the most efficient one.
| Pump price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3.00/gal | $1,438 | $1,643 | $205 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,677 | $1,917 | $240 |
| $4.00/gal | $1,917 | $2,190 | $274 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2012 model year is $2,600 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Subcompact Cars
Across the 461 nameplates EPA classifies as Subcompact Cars, the median best combined rating is 24 mpg. At 24 mpg the Saab 9-3 Convertible is exactly at the median.
- All Subcompact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.
Other Saab nameplates
Every Saab model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.