- Newest year: 2008
- Gas
- Small cars
2008 Saab 9-3 MPG & Fuel Cost
16 configurations · 18–23 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 6 of 10 small car configurations, MY2008. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2008 Saab 9-3 at a glance
The 2008 Saab 9-3 has 16 configurations in the EPA database, rated 18–23 MPG combined. The most efficient is the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD at 23 MPG, which costs about $3,490 a year to fuel at premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). Annual fuel cost across the configurations runs from $3,490 to $4,460, a $970 difference. The Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD costs less to fuel than 6 of 10 small car configurations rated for MY2008 (class median $3,830 a year).
What the 2008 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
$340less a year
Class median $3,830 a year, MY2008
Based on 15,000 miles a year and premium gasoline $5.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2008 Saab 9-3 MPG
Gas configurations (16)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd (Most efficient) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,490 |
| SportCombi 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 29 | 23 | $3,490 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 27 | 22 | $3,650 |
| Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 19 | 26 | 21 | $3,830 |
| Convertible 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| SportCombi 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S5) | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | FWD | 18 | 24 | 20 | $4,020 |
| Convertible 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Sport Sedan 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,230 |
| SportCombi 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Manual 6-spd | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 16 | 26 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Aero Sedan 2.8L 6-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 6-spd | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,230 |
Show 6 more configurations
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aero SportCombi 2.8L 6-cyl turbo 4WD Manual 6-spd | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 16 | 24 | 19 | $4,230 |
| Convertible 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Sport Sedan 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,460 |
| SportCombi 2.8L 6-cyl turbo FWD Automatic (S6) | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | FWD | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Aero Sedan 2.8L 6-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic (S6) | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,460 |
| Aero SportCombi 2.8L 6-cyl turbo 4WD Automatic (S6) | 2.8L 6-cyl turbo | 4WD | 15 | 24 | 18 | $4,460 |
16 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 MY2008 small car models.
Generations
Frequently asked questions
How does the 2008 Saab 9-3 compare with the previous generation?
The previous generation (2007 Saab 9-3) is rated 18–22 MPG combined and costs $3,440–$3,830 a year to fuel; the 2008 model is rated 18–23 MPG and costs $3,490–$4,460 a year.
What gas mileage does the 2008 Saab 9-3 get?
EPA rates the 2008 Saab 9-3 at 18–23 MPG combined across 16 configurations. The most efficient, the Sport Sedan 2.0L 4-cyl turbo FWD, is rated 23 MPG combined (19 city / 29 highway).
How much does it cost to fuel a 2008 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 16 configurations the cost runs $3,490–$4,460 a year. That is a $970 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2008 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 $23.27 and $29.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2008 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 2008 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, $340 less than the class median of $3,830, and less than 6 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 307 rated small car configurations for MY2008, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2008 Saab 9-3 different from the 2007 model?
The most efficient configuration moves from 22 to 23 MPG, up 1. Its annual cost goes from $3,650 to $3,490, $160 less. EPA lists 16 configurations for 2008 against 12 configurations for 2007. See the 2007 Saab 9-3 for that year.