Tank Ledger

Saturn Aura MPG by year — every rating on record

The Saturn Aura has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 4 model years, from 2007 to 2010. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (2009) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2008). The EPA record holds 10 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.

26best combined mpg (2009)
20worst combined mpg (2008)
26latest year best (2010)
10configurations on record

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Model yearConfigurationsBest combinedWorst combinedClass rank that yearDrivetrainsFuelEPA class
2007221 mpg21 mpg#33 of 68 (52th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
2008325 mpg20 mpg#15 of 70 (80th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
2009226 mpg20 mpg#16 of 66 (77th pct)Front-Wheel DriveRegularMidsize Cars
2010326 mpg20 mpg#15 of 63 (77th pct)Front-Wheel DriveGasoline or E85, RegularMidsize Cars

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Saturn Aura placed highest in 2008 at #15 of 70, and lowest in 2007 at #33 of 68. It spent 4 of its 4 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 10 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

YearConfigurationEngine detailCityHighwayCombinedGallons/yrBarrels/yrEPA fuel cost/yrCO2 g/miGHG
20103.6L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular3.6L 6-cyl172620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
20102.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Gasoline or E85FFV, FFV223326442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
20102.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular2.4L 4-cyl223326442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
20093.6L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular3.6L 6-cyl172620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
20092.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular2.4L 4-cyl223326442.311.4$2,400341.8076923076923n/a
20083.6L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular3.6L 6-cyl172620575.014.9$3,100444.35n/a
20083.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.5L 6-cyl182922522.713.5$2,850403.95454545454544n/a
20082.4L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular2.4L 4-cyl223025460.011.9$2,500355.48n/a
20073.5L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular3.5L 6-cyl182821547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a
20073.6L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic (S6) Regular3.6L 6-cyl172621547.614.2$2,950423.1904761904762n/a

How the rating has moved between model years

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

ChangeBest combinedDeltaGallons a year at the newer rating
2007 → 200821 → 25 mpg+4 mpg460 gal
2008 → 200925 → 26 mpg+1 mpg442 gal

What Aura fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2010 Saturn Aura burns 442 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$1,327$1,725$398
$3.50/gal$1,548$2,013$464
$4.00/gal$1,769$2,300$531

EPA’s own estimate for the 2010 model year is $2,400 to $3,100 a year in fuel, or $750 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 26 mpg the Saturn Aura is 1 mpg better the median, which is worth about $62 a year at $3.50 a gallon.

Other Saturn nameplates

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