2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi

The CarCody take

The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a gasoline wagon with front-wheel drive, a 2.8 L turbocharged 6-cylinder engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. The EPA classifies it as a Small Station Wagon. Its fuel economy is 16 MPG in the city and 26 MPG on the highway, giving it a combined rating of 19 MPG. The listed annual fuel cost is $4,350, and tailpipe CO2 is 467.74 grams per mile. Buyers comparing wagons can use these city, highway and combined figures alongside the yearly cost estimate to consider the model’s fuel use. Its official fuel-economy listing is at https://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/noframes/22112.shtml.

Who it suits. It may suit wagon shoppers seeking front-wheel drive, a turbocharged 6-cylinder engine and a manual transmission. The fuel-economy and annual-cost figures are useful for buyers weighing running costs.

Overview

The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a gasoline-powered wagon in the EPA’s Small Station Wagons class. Its 2.8-liter, six-cylinder turbo engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. The EPA rates it at 16 mpg in city driving, 26 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined.

Those figures set a clear expectation for running costs: the EPA-estimated annual fuel cost is $4,350. Tailpipe carbon dioxide emissions are 467.74 grams per mile. The 9-3 SportCombi is therefore a wagon option for shoppers weighing its body style and powertrain against substantial fuel consumption.

Key features

Powertrain and configuration

• 2.8-liter six-cylinder turbo gasoline engine
• Six-speed manual transmission
• Front-wheel drive
• Wagon body style

EPA fuel economy

EPA estimates are 16 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. The combined figure sits between the city and highway ratings, while the annual fuel-cost estimate of $4,350 offers a budget-oriented measure of fuel use. That estimate and the MPG ratings are EPA figures, not a guarantee of an individual owner’s expenses or mileage.

Who it's for

This 9-3 SportCombi may suit buyers who want a Saab wagon with a turbocharged six-cylinder engine, front-wheel drive and a manual transmission. Its fuel-economy profile is also important to consider: the EPA’s 19 mpg combined estimate and $4,350 annual fuel-cost estimate make fuel use a significant part of the ownership calculation. The published figures give buyers a basis for comparing its expected consumption with other vehicles they are considering.

For shoppers considering other body styles and model years within the same family, see the Saab cars list and these 2012 9-3 options: 2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible, 2012 Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD, 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Wagon body style paired with a six-cylinder turbo engine.
• Six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive are specified.
• EPA city, highway and combined mileage figures provide a clear fuel-economy baseline.

Cons

• The EPA combined rating is 19 mpg.
• The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $4,350.
• Tailpipe CO2 is 467.74 grams per mile.

Verdict

The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s defining details are its wagon configuration, 2.8-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine, six-speed manual transmission and front-wheel drive. Its EPA ratings—16 mpg city, 26 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined—make fuel economy a central consideration, reinforced by an annual fuel-cost estimate of $4,350. Buyers comparing it with other vehicles should weigh that published running-cost profile alongside the body style and powertrain they want.