Against 260 other 4-cyl cars rated 2000–2002, the SC beats their 24.4 mpg average by 4.6 mpg, about $250 a year.
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
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile (2002) | $0.110 |
| Fuel per year | $1,324 |
| Fuel over five years | $6,620 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars, 2000–2002 | −$250 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,229 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2002 Saturn SC gives up 11 mpg in town: 36 on the highway against 25 in the city, $469 a year if every mile were city driving.
| Measure | Value | Reading |
|---|---|---|
| City (2002) | 25 mpg | $1,536 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 36 mpg | $1,067 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +11 mpg (44%) | 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 biggest single-year change came in 1993: 25 to 28 mpg.
| 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 2002 Saturn SC get?
29 mpg combined, 25 city and 36 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1991 the SC has averaged 27.9 mpg.
Is the 2002 SC more efficient than the 2001?
About the same: 29 against 29 mpg combined.
Which SC year has the best gas mileage?
The 2002, at 29 mpg combined (25 city, 36 highway), which is also the latest model year we hold.
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