Saab 9-3 Sedan MPG by year — every rating on record
The Saab 9-3 Sedan has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2010 to 2012. Across those years its best rated version returned 23 mpg (2010) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2011). The EPA record holds 7 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 3 | 23 mpg | 21 mpg | #33 of 59 (45th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular, Premium | Compact Cars |
| 2011 | 2 | 23 mpg | 20 mpg | #39 of 64 (40th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars |
| 2012 | 2 | 23 mpg | 22 mpg | #52 of 76 (32th pct) | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | 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 Sedan placed highest in 2010 at #33 of 59, and lowest in 2012 at #52 of 76. It spent 0 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 7 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 All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 18 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $2,850 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2012 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | SIDI, turbocharged | 20 | 30 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 27 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2011 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 17 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Automatic (S5) Premium | PR, turbocharged | 19 | 27 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2010 | 2.0L 4-cyl All-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd Regular | 2.0L 4-cyl, turbocharged | 20 | 29 | 23 | 500.0 | 12.9 | $2,700 | 386.39130434782606 | n/a |
What 9-3 Sedan fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2012 Saab 9-3 Sedan burns 500 to 523 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 | $1,500 | $1,568 | $68 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,750 | $1,830 | $80 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,000 | $2,091 | $91 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2012 model year is $2,700 to $2,850 a year in fuel, or $3,000 more than the average new vehicle over five years.
How it compares with other Compact Cars
Across the 498 nameplates EPA classifies as Compact Cars, the median best combined rating is 26 mpg. At 23 mpg the Saab 9-3 Sedan is 3 mpg below the median, which is worth about $202 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Compact 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.