The Saturn Vue does 22.1 mpg combined (19.6 city, 26.3 highway), which works out to about $1,738 a year in fuel at $3.20 a gallon and 12,000 miles. Engine choice matters more than you'd think: 3.6L 6-cyl Hybrid does 28 mpg while 3.6L 6-cyl does 19 — a difference of $650 a year. Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below the average of 25.4 mpg.
Every Saturn Vue 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.6L 6-cyl Hybrid | 27 / 30 | 2009–2009 | $1,371 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl Hybrid | 24.3 / 31 | 2007–2010 | $1,407 | |
| 2.2L 4-cyl | 19.8 / 26.5 | 2002–2007 | $1,707 | |
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 19 / 26 | 2008–2010 | $1,745 | |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 18 / 25 | 2004–2007 | $1,920 | |
| 3L 6-cyl | 17 / 23.5 | 2002–2003 | $1,969 | |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 16.3 / 23.7 | 2008–2010 | $2,021 |
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 | $0.145 |
| Fuel per year | $1,738 |
| Fuel over five years | $8,690 |
| Against other 4-cyl cars | +$226 a year |
| EPA's own estimate | $2,757 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 | 19.6 mpg | $1,959 a year if you only drive in town |
| Highway | 26.3 mpg | $1,460 a year if you mostly commute |
| Gap | +6.7 mpg (34%) | Wide — this car dislikes traffic |
How the Vue 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 20 / 27 | 3 | $1,670 | |
| 2009 | 21 / 26.7 | 3 | $1,670 | |
| 2008 | 20 / 27.3 | 3 | $1,670 | |
| 2007 | 20.3 / 27 | 3 | $1,692 | |
| 2006 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2005 | 19 / 26 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2004 | 19.5 / 25.5 | 2 | $1,786 | |
| 2003 | 18 / 25 | 2 | $1,829 | |
| 2002 | 18 / 24.5 | 2 | $1,873 |
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 Vue get?
22.1 mpg combined on average — 19.6 in the city and 26.3 on the highway, per EPA ratings across 2002–2010.
How much does a Saturn Vue cost in fuel per year?
About $1,738 at 12,000 miles and $3.20 a gallon — roughly $8,690 over five years, or 0.145 dollars a mile.
Which Vue engine is the most economical?
The 3.6L 6-cyl Hybrid at 28 mpg, against 19 for the 3.6L 6-cyl — a difference of about $650 a year.
Is the Vue good on fuel compared with similar cars?
Against other 4-cyl cars it sits below 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.