Saturn averages 24.0 mpg combined across 14 models (1995–2010). The best on record does 29 mpg, the thirstiest 18 — a yearly fuel gap of about $809.
What that actually costs
What a Saturn costs to feed, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Average combined | 24.0 mpg |
| Fuel per year | $1,600 |
| Most frugal on record | 29 mpg — $1,324 a year |
| Thirstiest on record | 18 mpg — $2,133 a year |
Saturn models by fuel economy
From the most frugal down. The yearly figure is what the fuel actually costs at 12,000 miles.
| Model | Average mpg | Best / Worst engine | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saturn SC | 29 / 28 | $1,343 | |
| Saturn SL | 29 / 28 | $1,343 | |
| Saturn SW | 28 / 27 | $1,391 | |
| Saturn Astra | 27 / 27 | $1,422 | |
| Saturn Ion | 26 / 25 | $1,488 | |
| Saturn L200 | 25 / 25 | $1,536 | |
| Saturn Aura | 29 / 20 | $1,580 | |
| Saturn SKY | 23 / 22 | $1,722 | |
| Saturn LW | 25 / 20 | $1,730 | |
| Saturn Vue | 28 / 19 | $1,738 | |
| Saturn LS | 24 / 20 | $1,745 | |
| Saturn L300 | 25 / 20 | $1,786 | |
| Saturn Outlook | 19 / 19 | $2,021 | |
| Saturn Relay | 19 / 18 | $2,053 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
- Fuel profile built from your actual mileage and local prices
- Fuel tracker: what you really spend, month by month
- Insurance and fuel folded into 5-year cost to own
- Compare any two cars on total cost, not sticker price
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How we count
Fuel-economy figures come from EPA fueleconomy.gov — the same laboratory numbers printed on the window sticker. We don't adjust them; real-world consumption depends on how and where you drive.
What we add is money. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon — change either and the ranking stays, only the size of the bill moves. Cost per mile is the same figure divided out, useful when comparing a commute against a weekend car.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average Saturn mpg?
24.0 mpg combined across 14 models rated between 1995 and 2010. That averages everything the brand has offered, so a long history of trucks pulls it down.
Which Saturn model is the most economical?
See the table above — models are sorted from the most frugal down, with what each costs in fuel per year.
How much does a Saturn cost to run?
About $1,600 a year in fuel on average, at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon.
Why does the average look low for a modern brand?
Because it covers every model year on record, back to the 1980s. Cars built before the mid-2000s were markedly thirstier — that era is included.