FuelFacts

2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan MPG & Specs — Real-World vs EPA, All Trims

Fuel grade varies by trim — see the breakdown below.

22–24
MPG combined (19–20 city / 29–32 hwy)
$2,600–$2,850
est. fuel / year (today's prices, 15k mi)
Flex-fuel
gas type

Is the 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan good on gas?

At up to 24 MPG combined, the 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is about average for a Compact Cars — that class averages about 24.1 MPG across 6,481 EPA-tested versions, so it's middle-of-the-road for its size.

Real-world MPG vs the EPA number

The EPA figures above come from a standardized dynamometer test, not the open road — real-world MPG typically runs a bit lower depending on your driving, climate and terrain. That's true of every car on this site, old or new.

EPA updated its fuel-economy equations again for model year 2017 — mostly affecting hybrids and turbocharged engines — and recalculated 2011-2016 ratings to match, in some cases 1-2 MPG lower. The number above already reflects that update.

For its most efficient trim, the EPA estimates about $2,600 a year in fuel (15,000 miles) — roughly $217 a month.

2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan trims & fuel economy

Trim (engine / transmission)FuelMPGFuel/yr (today's price)
2.0L 4-cyl, 6-spd manual, FWDFLEX-FUEL24$2,600
2.0L 4-cyl, S6 automatic, FWDFLEX-FUEL22$2,850

2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan specs

What the EPA test-car listings record for this model year — every combination sold is a row in the trims table above.

Engine options2.0L 4-cyl turbo
Transmission6-spd manual · S6 automatic
Drive typeFWD
EPA body classCompact Cars
FuelFlex-fuel

Other years of the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan

2011 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2010 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2009 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2007 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2006 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2005 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan2004 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan

Similar cars (Compact Cars)

2012 Lexus HS 250h2012 BMW 640i Coupe2012 Honda Accord Coupe2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible2012 BMW 640i Convertible2012 Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD

Cars that take premium · Cheapest cars to fuel · Where fuel grade depends on the trim · Fuel guides

2 trim(s) · EPA FuelEconomy.gov data retrieved 2026-07-24 · fuel prices AAA national average as of 2026-07-05.