Saturn Ion MPG by year — every rating on record

The Saturn Ion has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 2003 to 2007. Across those years its best rated version returned 26 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 23 mpg (2004). The EPA record holds 20 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Compact Cars.

Year-by-year EPA ratings

Where it has stood in its class

Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Saturn Ion placed highest in 2007 at #9 of 47, and lowest in 2004 at #23 of 65. It spent 5 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.

Every configuration on record

All 20 configurations EPA lists for this nameplate, newest first.

How the rating has moved between model years

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

What Ion fuel costs over a year

At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2007 Saturn Ion burns 442 to 500 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.

EPA’s own estimate for the 2007 model year is $2,400 to $3,350 a year in fuel, or $5,000 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 26 mpg the Saturn Ion is exactly at the median.

• All Compact Cars rankings — every nameplate in the class, best to worst.

Other Saturn nameplates

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