The Saab 9-3 does 22.1 mpg combined (18.7 city, 28.2 highway), which works out to about $1,738 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 2L 4-cyl does 23 mpg while 2.8L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $351 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Saab 9-3 engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Saab 9-3 ranges from 23 down to 19 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $351 a year across 2 versions of the same car. Picking the right one often saves more fuel than picking a different car altogether. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19.5 / 29 | 1999–2012 | $1,670 | |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 15.8 / 25.5 | 2006–2009 | $2,021 |
What that actually costs
The Saab 9-3 burns a gallon every 22.1 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 543 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,738 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,690 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$244 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,178 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Saab 9-3 gives up 9.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.2 out there against 18.7 in town, a 51% drop worth $691 a year. A wide gap punishes stop-and-start traffic; a narrow one means the car doesn't care where you drive it.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City | 18.7 mpg | $2,053 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.2 mpg | $1,362 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.5 mpg (51%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 9-3 changed over the years
The 9-3 peaked in 2012 at 24 mpg (20 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2007 at 20.5 — 3.5 mpg apart, or $273 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2012 car does 24. Jumps usually mark a new generation or a new engine; dips often mean a heavier body or added all-wheel drive.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 20 / 32 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2011 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2010 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2009 | 17.5 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2008 | 17.5 / 26.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2007 | 17.5 / 27 | 2 | $1,873 | |
| 2006 | 17 / 27.5 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2004 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2003 | 20 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2002 | 20 / 30 | 1 | $1,600 | |
| 2001 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2000 | 19 / 27 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 1999 | 18 / 25 | 1 | $1,829 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 18 EPA ratings of the Saab 9-3 — 2 engines across 1999–2012. The mileage is EPA's laboratory figure, unchanged; the yearly bill is ours, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon, against EPA's own estimate of $3,178. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Saab 9-3 get?
22.1 mpg combined on average — 18.7 in the city and 28.2 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1999–2012.
How much does a Saab 9-3 cost in fuel per year?
About $1,738 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,690 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which 9-3 engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 23 mpg, against 19 for the 2.8L 6-cyl — a difference of about $351 a year.
Is the 9-3 good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world 9-3 figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Saab 9-3 is $3,178 against the $1,738 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 24 and 19 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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