Against 446 other V6 cars rated 2003–2005, the L300 beats their 18.9 mpg average by 2.1 mpg, about $203 a year. Averaged over the years each was sold, the most economical engine since 2001, the 2.2L 4-cyl (2004), does 25 mpg and the thirstiest, the 3L 6-cyl (2001–2005), 20.8: $310 a year apart.
Every Saturn L300 engine, compared
Yearly cost assumes 12,000 miles at $3.20 a gallon.
| Engine | Combined | City / Highway | Years | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 21 / 31 | 2004–2004 | $1,536 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 18 / 25.6 | 2001–2005 | $1,846 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Buick Century gets 21 mpg and the Lincoln Zephyr 20 mpg, next to 21 mpg for the 2005 L300.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2005) | $0.152 |
| Fuel per year | $1,829 |
| Fuel over five years | $9,145 |
| Against other V6 cars, 2003–2005 | −$203 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,900 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2005 Saturn L300 gives up 8 mpg in town: 26 on the highway against 18 in the city, $656 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2005) | 18 mpg | $2,133 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26 mpg | $1,477 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +8 mpg (44%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the L300 changed over the years
The L300 peaked in 2004 at 23 mpg (19.5 city, 28.5 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2001 at 20 — 3 mpg apart, or $250 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2005 car does 21. The 2005 model loses 2 mpg against 23 for the 2004, with 1 version instead of 2.
| Model year | Combined | City / Highway | Engines offered | Fuel per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2004 | 19.5 / 28.5 | 2 | $1,670 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 26 | 1 | $1,829 | |
| 2001 | 18 / 24 | 1 | $1,920 |
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
- No ads, no tracking — and much more
How we count
This page rests on 6 EPA ratings of the Saturn L300 — 2 engines across 2001–2005. 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 $2,900. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2005 Saturn L300 get?
21 mpg combined, 18 city and 26 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 2001 the L300 has averaged 21.5 mpg.
Is the 2005 L300 more efficient than the 2004?
No: 21 against 23 mpg combined, about $159 a year more to run.
Which L300 year has the best gas mileage?
The 2004, at 23 mpg combined (19.5 city, 28.5 highway).
Does the L300 get better gas mileage than the Buick Century?
About the same: 21 mpg for the 2005 L300 against 21 for the 2005 Buick Century.
Mark ForCar as a preferred source and our data shows up first in your Google results. One click, no account.