Saturn · model year 1997
1997 Saturn SL
Compact · Front-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Compact Cars
Where it places
The CarCody take
The 1997 Saturn SL is a compact gasoline car with front-wheel drive and a five-speed manual transmission. Its EPA rating is 28 MPG combined, with 24 MPG in city driving and 36 MPG on the highway. The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,400, and tailpipe CO2 is 317.39 grams per mile.
Good to know
- 28 MPG combined EPA rating
- 36 MPG highway rating
- Front-wheel drive
- Five-speed manual transmission
- Compact-car class
Watch for
- 24 MPG city rating is lower than its highway figure
- Gasoline-only powertrain
- EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,400
- Tailpipe CO2 is 317.39 grams per mile
Who it suits. Drivers wanting a compact front-wheel-drive car People who prefer a five-speed manual Highway drivers who value a 36 MPG rating
The 1997 Saturn SL makes sense for someone seeking a compact front-wheel-drive car with a manual transmission and straightforward gasoline running figures. Its mixed-use rating is 28 MPG, but the spread from 24 MPG city to 36 MPG highway is important when estimating personal fuel use. The EPA annual estimate of $2,400 gives the clearest budget marker. Consider it when those drivetrain and size choices fit.
What it is
The 1997 Saturn SL is a compact car powered by a 1.9-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine. It sends power to the front wheels through a five-speed manual transmission.
Its defining EPA figure is 28 MPG combined. That rating blends the car's 24 MPG city figure and 36 MPG highway figure.
The numbers
Expect the city rating to matter most in stop-and-go driving, while the highway figure applies to steadier trips. The two ratings show a 12-MPG difference between those uses.
The SL's tailpipe CO2 figure is 317.39 grams per mile.
What it costs to run
The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,400. Your actual spending will depend on how much you drive and how closely your driving matches the city and highway test conditions.
How it compares
The SL's combined rating is 28 MPG.
Who it suits
This SL fits a driver who wants a compact gasoline car, front-wheel drive, and a manual transmission. Its 36 MPG highway rating gives long, steady trips a lower fuel-use figure than its city rating.
Trade-offs
The manual five-speed is part of the powertrain, so this is not an automatic-transmission choice. Fuel economy also varies by use: the 24 MPG city rating is well below the 36 MPG highway rating.
It runs on gasoline and carries a $2,400 EPA annual fuel-cost estimate, with 317.39 grams of tailpipe CO2 per mile.
Verdict
Choose the 1997 Saturn SL if a compact footprint, front-wheel drive, and a manual gearbox match your priorities. The useful reference point is 28 MPG across mixed driving, not the highway number alone. City-focused drivers should budget around the lower 24 MPG rating, while frequent highway travelers have the 36 MPG figure to work with. The published annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,400, making fuel budgeting a central part of this car's ownership decision.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 28 MPG
- City MPG
- 24 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 36 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,400
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 317 g per mile
- Model year
- 1997
- Body
- Car
- EPA size class
- Compact Cars
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 1.9 L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- Manual 5-spd
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What fuel economy does the 1997 Saturn SL get?
The EPA ratings are 24 MPG city, 36 MPG highway, and 28 MPG combined.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 1.9-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a five-speed manual transmission.
Is the 1997 Saturn SL front-wheel drive?
Yes. The SL uses front-wheel drive.
What is its EPA annual fuel cost?
The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,400.
How much CO2 does it emit?
Its tailpipe CO2 figure is 317.39 grams per mile.
What kind of car is the Saturn SL?
It is a 1997 compact car from Saturn's SL family.