- Newest year: 2005
- Gas
- Small cars
2004-2005 Saab 9-3 MPG & Fuel Cost
2 model years · 19–24 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 5 of 10 small car configurations, MY2005. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2004-2005 Saab 9-3 at a glance
The 2004-2005 Saab 9-3 covers 2 model years in the EPA database (14 configurations in all), rated 19–24 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2005, costs about $3,490 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD (23 MPG), at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2005. The best combined rating in the generation, 24 MPG, was reached in 2004.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2004-2005 Saab 9-3 by model year
What the 2005 Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs to drive
Per month
$291
$3,490 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$5.82
Per 100 miles
$23.27
Five years
$17,450
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$160less a year
Class median $3,650 a year, MY2005
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2005 Saab 9-3 MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Versus 2004: The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 23 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $3,490, $770 more.
Gas configurations (6)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,490 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $2,970 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,650 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 26 | 22 | $3,650 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 17 | 25 | 19 | $4,230 |
4 configurations require or recommend higher-octane gasoline and are costed at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2004 Saab 9-3 MPG
20–24 MPG · $2,720–$4,020/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (8)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 20 | 30 | 24 | $2,720 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 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 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 28 | 22 | $3,650 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 5-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,650 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 25 | 21 | $3,830 |
Show 0 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 27 | 21 | $3,830 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 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).
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD: $4,170 in California and $3,030 in Texas, a $1,140 difference.
- California $4,170
- Washington $3,920
- New York $3,450
- Florida $3,190
- Texas $3,030
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2005 small car models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2004-2005 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2004-2005 Saab 9-3 at 19–24 MPG combined across 14 configurations and 2 model years. The most efficient version, the 2004 Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 24 MPG (20 city, 30 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2004-2005 Saab 9-3?
The Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD reached the generation's best combined rating, 24 MPG, in 2004. The lowest top rating, 23 MPG, was in 2005.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2004-2005 Saab 9-3?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2005.
How does the 2004-2005 Saab 9-3 compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2003 Saab 9-3) is rated 21–23 MPG combined and costs $2,840–$3,830 a year to fuel; the 2004-2005 model is rated 19–24 MPG and costs $2,720–$4,230 a year.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2005 Saab 9-3 per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,490 a year. Across all 6 configurations the cost runs $2,970–$4,230 a year. That is a $1,260 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2005 Saab 9-3 100 miles?
About $23.27 per 100 miles for the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $19.80 and $28.20 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2005 Saab 9-3 more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD is rated 19 city and 29 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 10 MPG.
How does the 2005 Saab 9-3 compare with other small car configurations?
The Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs about $3,490 a year to fuel, $160 less than the class median of $3,650, and less than 5 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 370 rated small car configurations for MY2005, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2005 Saab 9-3 different from the 2004 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 24 to 23 MPG, down 1. Its annual cost goes from $2,720 to $3,490, $770 more. EPA lists 6 configurations for 2005 against 8 configurations for 2004. See the 2004 Saab 9-3 for that year.