Saab 9-3 Viggen MPG by year — every rating on record
The Saab 9-3 Viggen has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 1999 to 2002. Across those years its best rated version returned 22 mpg (2001) and its thirstiest returned 19 mpg (1999). The EPA record holds 4 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 1 | 19 mpg | 19 mpg | #35 of 56 (38th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2000 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #21 of 51 (60th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2001 | 1 | 22 mpg | 22 mpg | #10 of 54 (83th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #29 of 52 (45th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize 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 placed highest in 2001 at #10 of 54, and lowest in 1999 at #35 of 56. It spent 2 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 4 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 2.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B235R, turbocharged | 17 | 26 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,900 | 444.35 | n/a |
| 2001 | 2.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B235R, turbocharged | 18 | 28 | 22 | 522.7 | 13.5 | $3,500 | 403.95454545454544 | n/a |
| 2000 | 2.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Premium | B235R, turbocharged | 18 | 27 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $3,700 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 1999 | 2.3L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular | B235E5 FFS,TURBO, turbocharged | 17 | 24 | 19 | 605.3 | 15.7 | $3,300 | 467.7368421052632 | n/a |
How the rating has moved between model years
Comparing the best-rated configuration of each year. 2 of 3 year-over-year steps improved the top rating.
| Change | Best combined | Delta | Gallons a year at the newer rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 → 2000 | 19 → 21 mpg | +2 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2000 → 2001 | 21 → 22 mpg | +1 mpg | 523 gal |
| 2001 → 2002 | 22 → 20 mpg | -2 mpg | 575 gal |
What 9-3 Viggen fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2002 Saab 9-3 Viggen 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 price | Most efficient | Thirstiest | Spread |
|---|---|---|---|
| $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 Midsize Cars
Across the 483 nameplates EPA classifies as Midsize Cars, the median best combined rating is 25 mpg. At 20 mpg the Saab 9-3 Viggen is 5 mpg below the median, which is worth about $403 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize 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.