The Saab 9-7X does 15.9 mpg combined (13.8 city, 19.3 highway), which works out to about $2,415 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 4.2L 6-cyl does 16 mpg while 5.3L 8-cyl does 15.8 — a difference of $30 a year. Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg.
Every Saab 9-7X engine, compared
Gas mileage on the Saab 9-7X ranges from 16 down to 15.8 depending on which engine sits under the bonnet — a spread of $30 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.2L 6-cyl | 14 / 19.8 | 2005–2009 | $2,400 | |
| 5.3L 8-cyl | 13.6 / 18.8 | 2005–2009 | $2,430 |
What that actually costs
The Saab 9-7X burns a gallon every 15.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 755 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.201 |
| Fuel per year | $2,415 |
| Fuel over five years | $12,075 |
| Against other V6 cars | +$485 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,925 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Saab 9-7X gives up 5.5 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 19.3 out there against 13.8 in town, a 40% drop worth $793 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 | 13.8 mpg | $2,783 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 19.3 mpg | $1,990 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +5.5 mpg (40%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the 9-7X changed over the years
The 9-7X peaked in 2009 at 16 mpg (14 city, 20 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2005 at 15.5 — 0.5 mpg apart, or $77 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2009 car does 16. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 14 / 20 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2008 | 13.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2007 | 13.5 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2006 | 14 / 19.5 | 2 | $2,400 | |
| 2005 | 14 / 18 | 2 | $2,477 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 10 EPA ratings of the Saab 9-7X — 2 engines across 2005–2009. 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 $3,925. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Saab 9-7X get?
15.9 mpg combined on average — 13.8 in the city and 19.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2005–2009.
How much does a Saab 9-7X cost in fuel per year?
About $2,415 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $12,075 over five years, or 0.201 dollars a mile.
Which 9-7X engine is the most economical?
The 4.2L 6-cyl at 16 mpg, against 15.8 for the 5.3L 8-cyl — a difference of about $30 a year.
Is the 9-7X good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other V6 cars it sits below the average of 19.9 mpg, computed across 4940 ratings.
Are these real-world 9-7X 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 9-7X is $3,925 against the $2,415 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the 16 and 15 mpg versions of this car is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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