Tank Ledger

Saleen SSC MPG by year — every rating on record

The Saleen SSC has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 2 model years, from 1989 to 1990. Across those years its best rated version returned 16 mpg (1989) and its thirstiest returned 16 mpg (1989). The EPA record holds 2 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Subcompact Cars.

16best combined mpg (1989)
16worst combined mpg (1989)
16latest year best (1990)
2configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
1989116 mpg16 mpg#63 of 71 (11th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars
1990116 mpg16 mpg#60 of 65 (8th pct)Rear-Wheel DriveRegularSubcompact Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Saleen SSC placed highest in 1990 at #60 of 65, and lowest in 1989 at #63 of 71. It spent 0 of its 2 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 2 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
19904.9L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)132016718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a
19894.9L 8-cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd Regular(GUZZLER) (FFS) (MPFI)142116718.818.6$3,900555.4375n/a

What SSC fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 1990 Saleen SSC burns 719 to 719 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$2,156$2,156$0
$3.50/gal$2,516$2,516$0
$4.00/gal$2,875$2,875$0

EPA’s own estimate for the 1990 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 16 mpg the Saleen SSC is 8 mpg below the median, which is worth about $839 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Where Saleen sits

Saleen has too few nameplates on record for a make-level page of its own, so this nameplate stands alone here. Every make we cover →