Against 260 other 4-cyl cars rated 2000–2002, the SL beats their 24.4 mpg average by 4.6 mpg, about $250 a year.
Every Saturn SL engine, compared
The Saturn SL 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 | 24.3 / 35.3 | 1991–2002 | $1,357 |
What that actually costs
Against its rivals in the same model years, the Ford Escort gets 25.7 mpg, the Toyota Echo 32.3 mpg and the Mazda Protege 25.3 mpg, next to 29 mpg for the 2002 SL.
| 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 | $2,188 a year |
City or highway — who is this car for
The 2002 Saturn SL 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 SL changed over the years
The SL peaked in 2002 at 29 mpg (25 city, 36 highway) and was at its thirstiest in 1991 at 27 — 2 mpg apart, or $98 a year in fuel between buying one year and the other.
| 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 | 24 / 35 | 1 | $1,371 | |
| 1991 | 23 / 34 | 1 | $1,422 |
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 SL — 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 $2,188. Full method.
Frequently asked questions
What mpg does the 2002 Saturn SL get?
29 mpg combined, 25 city and 36 highway, per EPA. Across every year since 1991 the SL has averaged 28.3 mpg.
Is the 2002 SL more efficient than the 2001?
About the same: 29 against 29 mpg combined.
Which SL 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.
Does the SL get better gas mileage than the Ford Escort?
Yes: 29 mpg for the 2002 SL against 25.7 for the 2003 Ford Escort, about $170 a year less to run.
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