1996 SaturnSW

Small Station Wagons · Front-Wheel Drive · 1.9 L 4-cyl

25MPGcombined

21city

31highway

A year of fuel$2,700

CO₂ from the tailpipe355.5 g/mi

Figures from the EPA label (fueleconomy.gov), the same as on the car's window sticker.

See it on fueleconomy.gov

Against the 278 saturn cars

Combined MPG 25 MPGbest 29 · avg 24

Annual fuel cost $2,700best $2,300 · avg $2,890

Bars are scaled to the best in the list; the mark shows the list average. Lower is better for fuel cost; higher is better for the rest. All figures are the EPA's.

Summary

The 1996 Saturn SW is a gasoline wagon with front-wheel drive and a 1.9 L four-cylinder engine. It uses a four-speed automatic transmission. Official fuel economy is 21 MPG in the city and 31 MPG on the highway, for 25 MPG combined. The EPA annual fuel cost is $2,700, and tailpipe emissions are listed at 355.48 grams of CO2 per mile. The Saturn SW is classified as a small station wagon, and SW is also its listed base model. These details help buyers understand the model's body and drivetrain as well as its stated fuel use. The city, highway and combined ratings provide distinct reference points for comparing its gasoline economy, while the annual cost and emissions figures add further context for ownership decisions.

Who it is for

The SW suits buyers seeking a gasoline wagon with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. Its 31 MPG highway rating may be useful to shoppers who compare highway fuel economy.

What is good

Wagon body
31 MPG highway
Front-wheel drive
Four-speed automatic transmission

What to know first

21 MPG city
EPA annual fuel cost is $2,700
Tailpipe CO2 is 355.48 g per mile

CarCody review

1996 Saturn SW: the full review

The 1996 Saturn SW combines a 1.9 L four-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and a four-speed automatic. Its official rating is 25 MPG combined, with an EPA annual fuel cost of $2,700.

Overview

The 1996 Saturn SW is a gasoline-powered small station wagon with front-wheel drive and an automatic four-speed transmission. Its 1.9-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with EPA ratings of 21 mpg in city driving and 31 mpg on the highway, for 25 mpg combined. Those figures offer a practical starting point for comparing fuel use, though actual consumption will vary.

The EPA lists annual fuel cost at $2,700 and tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions at 355.48 grams per mile. The annual cost is an estimate tied to fuel use, not a complete ownership budget: it does not describe other expenses such as maintenance or insurance.

Key features

Body: Wagon.
EPA class: Small Station Wagons.
Engine: 1.9-liter four-cylinder.
Transmission: Automatic four-speed.
Drive: Front-wheel drive.
Fuel: Gasoline.

The available specifications establish the SW's basic configuration and efficiency, but do not provide details about passenger or cargo capacity, equipment, safety features, or performance. Those aspects cannot be assessed from these figures alone.

Who it's for

The 1996 Saturn SW may suit shoppers comparing older gasoline wagons who want a clear EPA fuel-economy baseline. Its 25 mpg combined rating and $2,700 EPA annual fuel-cost estimate help frame fuel use, while the city and highway figures show how the rating differs by driving type. Buyers should consider these figures alongside the condition and service history of any specific used vehicle; no information about an individual car is provided here.

For readers browsing the broader lineup, see Saturn cars.

Pros and cons

Pros

EPA city, highway, and combined fuel-economy ratings are available for comparison.
Front-wheel drive and an automatic four-speed transmission make the drivetrain configuration clear.
The EPA annual fuel-cost and tailpipe-CO2 figures provide additional reference points for ownership comparisons.

Cons

The listed fuel economy is 21 mpg in city driving and 25 mpg combined, so shoppers prioritizing low fuel consumption should compare it with alternatives.
The available facts do not describe the wagon's interior space, equipment, safety, reliability, or current condition.
The EPA fuel-cost estimate does not include the full cost of ownership.

Alternatives

Within Saturn's later lineup, the 2010 Saturn Aura is one model to consider when comparing by year and body style. The 2010 Saturn Outlook is listed in AWD and FWD forms, while the 2010 Saturn SKY is another distinct option. The facts here do not provide comparable specifications for those alternatives, so their relative fuel economy or suitability cannot be established.

Verdict

The 1996 Saturn SW is defined here by a straightforward combination: a 1.9-liter gasoline four-cylinder, front-wheel drive, and an automatic four-speed transmission in a small-wagon body. Its official EPA baseline is 25 mpg combined, with a $2,700 annual fuel-cost estimate and tailpipe emissions of 355.48 grams per mile. That information is useful for an initial running-cost comparison, but it is not enough to judge space, comfort, equipment, or the condition of a particular used example.