The Saturn SC does 27.9 mpg combined (23.9 city, 34.7 highway), which works out to about $1,376 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 SC engine, compared
The Saturn SC 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl | 23.9 / 34.7 | 1991–2002 | $1,376 |
What that actually costs
The Saturn SC burns a gallon every 27.9 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 430 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.115 |
| Fuel per year | $1,376 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,880 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | −$118 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,229 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Saturn SC gives up 10.8 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 34.7 out there against 23.9 in town, a 45% drop worth $500 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 | 23.9 mpg | $1,607 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 34.7 mpg | $1,107 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +10.8 mpg (45%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SC changed over the years
The SC peaked in 2002 at 29 mpg (25 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1992 at 25 — 4 mpg apart, or $212 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2002 car does 29. 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 | |
| 1994 | 24 / 34 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1993 | 24 / 33 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1992 | 21 / 30 | 1 | $1,536 | |
| 1991 | 21 / 31 | 1 | $1,536 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 12 EPA ratings of the Saturn SC — 1 engine across 1991–2002. 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 $2,229. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Saturn SC get?
27.9 mpg combined on average — 23.9 in the city and 34.7 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 1991–2002.
How much does a Saturn SC cost in fuel per year?
About $1,376 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $6,880 over five years, or 0.115 dollars a mile.
Which SC engine is the most economical?
The 1.9L 4-cyl at 27.9 mpg.
Is the SC 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 SC 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 SC is $2,229 against the $1,376 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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