The Saturn SC does 28.6 mpg combined (24.6 city, 36.0 highway), which works out to about $1,343 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Saturn SC engine, compared
Picking the right version of the same car 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 24.6 / 36 | 1995–2002 | $1,343 |
What that actually costs
Miles per gallon is an abstraction; the fuel bill is not. Here it is in money, at 12,000 miles a year and $3.20 a gallon.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.112 |
| Fuel per year | $1,343 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,715 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$169 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,088 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The gap between city and highway figures tells you whom the car suits. 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 | 24.6 mpg | $1,561 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36.0 mpg | $1,067 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +11.4 mpg (46%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SC changed over the years
Combined figure by model year. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2001 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 2000 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1999 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1998 | 24 / 36 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1997 | 24 / 36 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1996 | 25 / 36 | 1 | $1,324 | |
| 1995 | 24 / 36 | 1 | $1,371 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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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 mpg does the Saturn SC get?
28.6 mpg combined on average — 24.6 in the city and 36.0 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1995–2002.
How much does a Saturn SC cost in fuel per year?
About $1,343 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,715 over five years, or 0.112 dollars a mile.
Which SC engine is the most economical?
The 1.9L 4-cyl at 28.6 mpg.
Is the SC good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits above the average of 25.4 mpg, computed across 6877 ratings.
Are these real-world figures?
No — they are EPA laboratory ratings, the same ones on the window sticker. Real consumption depends on driving style, terrain, load and weather, and is typically a little worse.