Photo: Saturn Ion by MercurySable99, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Saturn · model year 2003
2003 Saturn Ion
Compact · Front-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Compact Cars
Where it places
The CarCody take
The 2003 Saturn Ion is a compact front-wheel-drive car using a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and five-speed manual transmission. Its EPA rating is 25 combined MPG, with 22 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG on the highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $2700, and tailpipe CO2 is 355.48 grams per mile.
Good to know
- 25 MPG combined EPA rating
- 30 MPG highway rating
- Front-wheel drive compact car
- Five-speed manual transmission
Watch for
- 22 MPG city rating is lower than highway mileage
- Annual EPA fuel-cost figure is $2700
- Gasoline powertrain produces 355.48 g/mi tailpipe CO2
Who it suits. Drivers wanting a compact front-wheel-drive gasoline car Owners who prefer a five-speed manual Highway-focused driving at 30 MPG
Choose the 2003 Saturn Ion if a compact front-drive car with a manual transmission matches your needs. Its 25 MPG combined rating gives a middle ground between city and highway use, while the EPA fuel-cost estimate puts annual gasoline spending at $2700. The 30 MPG highway result makes longer road trips more efficient than urban driving, but the 22 MPG city figure will matter more in stop-and-go use.
What it is
The 2003 Saturn Ion is a compact car with front-wheel drive. It runs on gasoline and uses a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a five-speed manual transmission. See other Saturn cars.
Its defining EPA figure is 25 combined MPG, blending the 22 MPG city rating with 30 MPG highway mileage.
The numbers
Expect 22 MPG in city driving and 30 MPG on the highway. The combined figure is 25 MPG, so driving that mixes both conditions is the most useful single reference point.
What it costs to run
The EPA annual fuel-cost figure is $2700. That gives a year-level view of gasoline spending for this car.
Tailpipe CO2 is 355.48 grams per mile.
How it compares
The Ion's highway rating is 8 MPG higher than its city rating. Its combined 25 MPG sits between those two figures, reflecting the split between urban and highway driving.
Who it suits
This car fits a buyer seeking a compact gasoline car with front-wheel drive and a manual gearbox. Its 30 MPG highway figure favors drivers who spend more time on open roads.
Trade-offs
City mileage is lower at 22 MPG, while highway driving reaches 30 MPG. The five-speed manual transmission and gasoline powertrain define how it is driven and fueled.
Verdict
Choose the 2003 Saturn Ion if a compact front-drive car with a manual transmission matches your needs. Its 25 MPG combined rating gives a middle ground between city and highway use, while the EPA fuel-cost estimate puts annual gasoline spending at $2700. The 30 MPG highway result makes longer road trips more efficient than urban driving, but the 22 MPG city figure will matter more in stop-and-go use.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 25 MPG
- City MPG
- 22 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 30 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,700
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 355 g per mile
- Model year
- 2003
- Body
- Car
- EPA size class
- Compact Cars
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 2.2 L 4-cyl
- Transmission
- Manual 5-spd
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2003 Saturn Ion's combined MPG?
The EPA combined rating is 25 MPG.
How many MPG does the Saturn Ion get in the city?
Its city rating is 22 MPG.
What is its highway fuel economy?
The Ion is rated at 30 MPG on the highway.
How much does it cost to fuel each year?
The EPA annual fuel-cost figure is $2700.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 2.2-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission.
Is the 2003 Saturn Ion front-wheel drive?
Yes. The Ion uses front-wheel drive.
How much tailpipe CO2 does it emit?
Tailpipe CO2 is listed at 355.48 grams per mile.
More Saturn model years
2004 Saturn Vue AWD
19 MPG · $3,550 fuel a year 2004 Saturn Vue FWD
22 MPG · $3,050 fuel a year 2004 Saturn Vue FWD
23 MPG · $2,900 fuel a year 2004 Saturn Vue FWD
20 MPG · $3,350 fuel a year 2003 Saturn Ion
24 MPG · $2,800 fuel a year