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2001 SAAB 9-3 SE 2.2TiD (Front)
Shown: 2001 SAAB 9-3 SE 2.2TiD (Front). Photo: DieselFordMondeo, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
  • Newest year: 2002
  • Gas
  • Small cars

2000-2002 Saab 9-3 MPG & Fuel Cost

3 model years · 20–24 MPG combined

24 MPG
Combined
20 MPG
City
30 MPG
Highway
Annual fuel cost · Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD
$3,350

15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)

Cheaper to fuel than 4 of 10 small car configurations, MY2002. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.

Next generation: 2003

2000-2002 Saab 9-3 at a glance

The 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 covers 3 model years in the EPA database (26 configurations in all), rated 20–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2002, costs about $3,350 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD (24 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001 and 2002. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2002.

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

2000-2002 Saab 9-3 by model year

2000-2002 Saab 9-3: EPA combined rating and yearly fuel cost for each model year
Model yearPowertrainsCombined$/yrEPA ratings
2002 Gas 20–24 MPG $3,350–$4,020 Ratings changed
2001 Gas 21–22 MPG $2,970–$3,830 Ratings changed
2000 Gas 20–22 MPG $2,970–$4,020 First year

What the 2002 Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs to drive

Per month

$279

$3,350 a year ÷ 12

Per 25 miles

$5.58

Per 100 miles

$22.33

Five years

$16,750

5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level

vs the small car median

$80more a year

Class median $3,270 a year, MY2002

Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2002 Saab 9-3 MPG

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2001: The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 24 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $3,350, $380 more.

Gas · 2.0L, 2.3L
Combined
20–24 MPG
Per year
$3,350–$4,020

Gas configurations (6)

2002 Saab 9-3 gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 20 30 24 $3,350
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 20 30 24 $3,350
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 27 21 $3,830
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 27 21 $3,830
Viggen Convertible 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 17 26 20 $4,020
Viggen 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 17 26 20 $4,020

6 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2001 Saab 9-3 MPG

21–22 MPG · $2,970–$3,830/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Versus 2000: The most efficient configuration stays at 22 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,970.

Gas · 2.0L, 2.3L
Combined
21–22 MPG
Per year
$2,970–$3,830

Gas configurations (10)

2001 Saab 9-3 gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 26 22 $2,970
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 26 22 $2,970
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 28 22 $3,650
Viggen Convertible 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 28 22 $3,650
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 28 22 $3,650
Viggen 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 28 22 $3,650
Show 0 more configurations
2001 Saab 9-3 gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost (+4)
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD182521$3,110
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD182521$3,110
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD192621$3,830
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD182621$3,830

6 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

2000 Saab 9-3 MPG

20–22 MPG · $2,970–$4,020/yr

EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.

Gas · 2.0L, 2.3L
Combined
20–22 MPG
Per year
$2,970–$4,020

Gas configurations (10)

2000 Saab 9-3 gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 27 22 $2,970
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 27 22 $2,970
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 27 22 $3,650
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD 19 27 22 $3,650
Viggen Convertible 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 27 21 $3,830
Viggen 2.3L 4-cyl turbo FWD 18 27 21 $3,830
Show 0 more configurations
2000 Saab 9-3 gas configurations: EPA ratings and annual cost (+4)
TrimEngineDriveCityHwyComb.$/yr
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD182320$3,270
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD182320$3,270
Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD172420$4,020
9-3 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic 4-spd2.0L 4-cyl turboFWD172420$4,020

6 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).

Fuel cost by state

Yearly cost of the Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD: $3,990 in California and $2,900 in Texas, a $1,090 difference.

Gasoline prices: California: California state average; Washington: Washington state average; New York: New York state average; Florida: Florida state average; Texas: Texas state average (Sep 2026).
Fuel cost in every state

Similar cars

Closest combined MPG among MY2002 small car models.

EPA ratings: fueleconomy.gov file of Sep 29, 2026 · Prices: EIA regular gasoline, U.S. average, Sep 2026 ($4.36/gal) · 15,000 mi/yr, 55% city / 45% highway · How we calculate

Generations

Frequently asked questions

What gas mileage does the 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 get?

EPA rates the 2000-2002 Saab 9-3 at 20–24 MPG combined across 26 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2002 Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 24 MPG (20 city, 30 highway).

Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2002 Saab 9-3?

The Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2002. The lowest top rating, 22 MPG, was in 2000 and 2001.

Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2002 Saab 9-3?

Yes. Ratings changed in 2001 and 2002.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Saab 9-3 per year?

Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,350 a year. Across all 6 configurations the cost runs $3,350–$4,020 a year. That is a $670 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.

How much does it cost to drive a 2002 Saab 9-3 100 miles?

About $22.33 per 100 miles for the Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $22.33 and $26.80 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.

Is the 2002 Saab 9-3 more efficient in the city or on the highway?

The Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD is rated 20 city and 30 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 10 MPG.

How does the 2002 Saab 9-3 compare with other small car configurations?

The Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,350 a year to fuel, $80 more than the class median of $3,270, and less than 4 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 331 rated small car configurations for MY2002, not weighted by sales.

Is the 2002 Saab 9-3 different from the 2001 model?

The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 24 MPG, up 2. Its annual cost goes from $2,970 to $3,350, $380 more. EPA lists 6 configurations for 2002 against 10 configurations for 2001. See the 2001 Saab 9-3 for that year.