The Saturn SKY does 22.3 mpg combined (19 city, 28.3 highway), which works out to about $1,722 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg.
Every Saturn SKY engine, compared
The Saturn SKY 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2L 4-cyl | 19 / 28.3 | 2007–2010 | $1,722 |
What that actually costs
The Saturn SKY burns a gallon every 22.3 miles, so 12,000 miles takes about 538 gallons a year. At $3.20 that is what the table below adds up to.
| Measure | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost per mile | $0.143 |
| Fuel per year | $1,722 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,610 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$228 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $3,300 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The Saturn SKY gives up 9.3 mpg the moment you leave the motorway — 28.3 out there against 19 in town, a 49% drop worth $664 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 | 19 mpg | $2,021 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 28.3 mpg | $1,357 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +9.3 mpg (49%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the SKY changed over the years
The SKY peaked in 2010 at 23 mpg (19 city, 29 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 2009 at 22 — 1 mpg apart, or $75 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other. The 2010 car does 23. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 19 / 29 | 1 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2008 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 | |
| 2007 | 19 / 28 | 1 | $1,745 |
MPG is a number. Dollars per year is the answer.
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How we count
This page rests on 4 EPA ratings of the Saturn SKY — 1 engine across 2007–2010. 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 $3,300. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the Saturn SKY get?
22.3 mpg combined on average — 19 in the city and 28.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2007–2010.
How much does a Saturn SKY cost in fuel per year?
About $1,722 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,610 over five years, or 0.143 dollars a mile.
Which SKY engine is the most economical?
The 2L 4-cyl at 22.3 mpg.
Is the SKY good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.7 mpg, computed across 4765 ratings.
Are these real-world SKY 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 SKY is $3,300 against the $1,722 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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