- Newest year: 2002
- Gas
- Small cars
- Same as 2001
2000-2002 Saturn SL MPG & Fuel Cost
3 model years · 26–29 MPG combined
15,000 mi/yr · regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026)
Cheaper to fuel than 10 of 10 small car configurations, MY2002. Ranked against all rated configurations, not sales-weighted.
2000-2002 Saturn SL at a glance
The 2000-2002 Saturn SL covers 3 model years in the EPA database (12 configurations in all), rated 26–29 MPG combined. The newest model year, 2002, costs about $2,250 a year to fuel for its most efficient version, the SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD (29 MPG), at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026). EPA changed the ratings in 2001; 2002 repeat the values of the year before.
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
2000-2002 Saturn SL by model year
What the 2002 SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD costs to drive
Per month
$188
$2,250 a year ÷ 12
Per 25 miles
$3.75
Per 100 miles
$15.00
Five years
$11,250
5 × the yearly cost, prices held at today's level
vs the small car median
$1,020less a year
Class median $3,270 a year, MY2002
Based on 15,000 miles a year and regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026).
2002 Saturn SL MPG
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
EPA lists the same ratings for the 2002 Saturn SL as for the 2001 model, so the configurations and costs are the ones in the 2001 section above.See 2001
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,510 |
2001 Saturn SL MPG
26–29 MPG · $2,250–$2,510/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 29 MPG. Its annual cost stays at $2,250.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 24 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,510 |
2000 Saturn SL MPG
26–29 MPG · $2,250–$2,510/yr
EPA re-estimated ratings of 1985-2007 vehicles under its 2008 method; these figures are the re-estimated values.
Gas configurations (4)
| Trim | Engine | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | $/yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd (Most efficient) | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 25 | 36 | 29 | $2,250 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Manual 5-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 23 | 34 | 27 | $2,420 |
| SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD Automatic 4-spd | 1.9L 4-cyl | FWD | 22 | 32 | 26 | $2,510 |
Fuel cost by state
Yearly cost of the SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD: $3,060 in California and $1,970 in Texas, a $1,090 difference.
- California $3,060
- Washington $2,840
- New York $2,250
- Florida $2,130
- Texas $1,970
Similar cars
Closest combined MPG among MY2002 small car models.
Generations
- 2000-2002 (3rd gen)
Frequently asked questions
What gas mileage does the 2000-2002 Saturn SL get?
EPA rates the 2000-2002 Saturn SL at 26–29 MPG combined across 12 configurations and 3 model years. The most efficient version, the 2002 SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD, is rated 29 MPG (25 city, 36 highway).
Which years had the best MPG in the 2000-2002 Saturn SL?
Every model year of the 2000-2002 Saturn SL tops out at 29 MPG combined, so no year is better than another.
Did EPA ratings change during the 2000-2002 Saturn SL?
Yes. Ratings changed in 2001. In 2002 the values repeat the year before.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Saturn SL per year?
Driving 15,000 miles a year at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), the SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,250 a year. Across all 4 configurations the cost runs $2,250–$2,510 a year. That is a $260 difference between the cheapest and the costliest configuration.
How much does it cost to drive a 2002 Saturn SL 100 miles?
About $15.00 per 100 miles for the SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD at regular gasoline $4.36/gal (U.S. average, Sep 2026), and between $15.00 and $16.73 across all configurations. That is the annual cost over 15,000 miles divided by 150.
Is the 2002 Saturn SL more efficient in the city or on the highway?
The SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD is rated 25 city and 36 highway MPG, so it is more efficient on the highway, by 11 MPG.
How does the 2002 Saturn SL compare with other small car configurations?
The SL 1.9L 4-cyl FWD costs about $2,250 a year to fuel, $1,020 less than the class median of $3,270, and less than 10 of 10 small car configurations. The comparison covers all 331 rated small car configurations for MY2002, not weighted by sales.
Is the 2002 Saturn SL different from the 2001 model?
No. EPA lists the same ratings for 2001 and 2002: 4 configurations rated 26–29 MPG combined. See the 2001 Saturn SL for that year.