The Saturn Ion does 25.8 mpg combined (22.8 city, 31.6 highway), which works out to about $1,488 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Saturn Ion engine, compared
The Saturn Ion was rated in a single specification, so its gas mileage does not vary by version — only by model year. Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 22.8 / 31.6 | 2003–2007 | $1,488 |
What that actually costs
The Saturn Ion burns a gallon every 25.8 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 465 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.124 |
| Fuel per year | $1,488 |
| Fuel over five years | $7,440 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$6 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,420 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Saturn Ion gives up 8.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 31.6 out there against 22.8 in town, a 39% drop worth $469 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 | 22.8 mpg | $1,684 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 31.6 mpg | $1,215 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8.8 mpg (39%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Ion changed over the years
The Ion peaked in 2007 at 26 mpg (23 city, 32 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2003 at 25 — 1 mpg apart, or $59 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2007 car does 26. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2006 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2005 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2004 | 23 / 32 | 1 | $1,477 | |
| 2003 | 22 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 5 EPA ratings of the Saturn Ion — 1 engine across 2003–2007. 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 $2,420. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Saturn Ion get?
25.8 mpg combined on average — 22.8 in the city and 31.6 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2003–2007.
How much does a Saturn Ion cost in fuel per year?
About $1,488 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $7,440 over five years, or 0.124 dollars a mile.
Which Ion engine is the most economical?
The 2.2L 4-cyl at 25.8 mpg.
Is the Ion good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world Ion figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones printed on the window sticker, and EPA's own annual fuel estimate for the Saturn Ion is $2,420 against the $1,488 we compute at 12,000 miles. Expect a little worse in practice: the spread between the city and highway figures is smaller than the spread between two drivers of the same one.
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