Saturn LW300 MPG by year — every rating on record
The Saturn LW300 has a combined EPA fuel economy rating for 5 model years, from 2001 to 2005. Across those years its best rated version returned 25 mpg (2004) and its thirstiest returned 20 mpg (2001). The EPA record holds 6 configurations for this nameplate, most recently a Midsize Cars.
In the EPA record this nameplate also appears as LW300 and L300. The figures below cover every one of them.
Year-by-year EPA ratings
| Model year | Configurations | Best combined | Worst combined | Class rank that year | Drivetrains | Fuel | EPA class |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 1 | 20 mpg | 20 mpg | #30 of 54 (45th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2002 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #25 of 52 (53th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2003 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #23 of 46 (51th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2004 | 2 | 25 mpg | 21 mpg | #8 of 55 (87th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
| 2005 | 1 | 21 mpg | 21 mpg | #28 of 56 (51th pct) | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars |
Where it has stood in its class
Ranked against every other nameplate the EPA filed under the same class that year. The Saturn LW300 placed highest in 2004 at #8 of 55, and lowest in 2001 at #30 of 54. It spent 4 of its 5 ranked years in the top half of its class.
Every configuration on record
All 6 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2004 | 2.2L 4-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 2.2L 4-cyl | 21 | 31 | 25 | 460.0 | 11.9 | $2,500 | 355.48 | n/a |
| 2003 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2002 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 26 | 21 | 547.6 | 14.2 | $2,950 | 423.1904761904762 | n/a |
| 2001 | 3.0L 6-cyl Front-Wheel Drive Automatic 4-spd Regular | 3.0L 6-cyl | 18 | 24 | 20 | 575.0 | 14.9 | $3,100 | 444.35 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 → 2002 | 20 → 21 mpg | +1 mpg | 548 gal |
| 2003 → 2004 | 21 → 25 mpg | +4 mpg | 460 gal |
| 2004 → 2005 | 25 → 21 mpg | -4 mpg | 548 gal |
What LW300 fuel costs over a year
At the EPA's 11,500 miles a year, the 2005 Saturn LW300 burns 548 to 548 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 | $1,643 | $1,643 | $0 |
| $3.50/gal | $1,917 | $1,917 | $0 |
| $4.00/gal | $2,190 | $2,190 | $0 |
EPA’s own estimate for the 2005 model year is $2,950 to $2,950 a year in fuel, or $3,500 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 21 mpg the Saturn LW300 is 4 mpg below the median, which is worth about $307 a year at $3.50 a gallon.
- All Midsize 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.