Tank Ledger

Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible MPG by year — every rating on record

The Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 3 model years, from 2000 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2001) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2002). The EPA record holds 3 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

22best combined mpg (2001)
20worst combined mpg (2002)
20latest year best (2002)
3configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2000121 mpg21 mpg#29 of 39 (26th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2001122 mpg22 mpg#17 of 37 (56th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars
2002120 mpg20 mpg#24 of 34 (30th pct)Front-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact 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 Viggen Convertible placed highest in 2001 at #17 of 37, and lowest in 2000 at #29 of 39. It spent 1 of its 3 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 3 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20022.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumB235R, turbocharged172620575.014.9$3,900444.35n/a
20012.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumB235R, turbocharged182822522.713.5$3,500403.95454545454544n/a
20002.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd PremiumB235R, turbocharged182721547.614.2$3,700423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 1 of 2 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2000 → 200121 → 22 mpg+1 mpg523 gal
2001 → 200222 → 20 mpg-2 mpg575 gal

What 9-3 Viggen Convertible fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible burns 575 to 575 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 priceMost efficientThirstiestSpread
$3.00/gal$1,725$1,725$0
$3.50/gal$2,013$2,013$0
$4.00/gal$2,300$2,300$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 2002 model year is $3,900 to $3,900 a year in fuel, or $8,250 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 20 mpg the Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $335 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Saab nameplates

Every Saab model compared → — all nameplates ranked by best combined rating, with what each one costs a year.