2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi

The CarCody take

The 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a gasoline small station wagon with front-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, and a five-speed automatic transmission. Its EPA rating is 22 MPG combined, with 19 MPG city and 27 MPG highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $3,050, and tailpipe CO2 is 403.95 grams per mile.

Who it suits. Drivers wanting a gasoline wagon with front-wheel drive Highway users who can approach the 27 MPG estimate Buyers comparing small station wagons by fuel cost

What it is

The 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a gasoline wagon in the EPA small station wagon class. It uses front-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, and an automatic S5 transmission.

It is part of the Saab cars lineup.

The numbers

The defining figure is 22 MPG combined. The EPA city estimate is 19 MPG, while highway driving is rated at 27 MPG.

That spread makes the highway figure more useful for mostly open-road trips, while the city number better represents stop-and-go driving.

What it costs to run

EPA annual fuel cost is $3,050 for this gasoline Saab. Your actual bill will depend on how much you drive and how closely your driving matches the city and highway estimates.

Tailpipe CO2 is rated at 403.95 grams per mile.

How it compares

The 9-3 SportCombi belongs to the Small Station Wagons class. Its 22 MPG combined rating is the number to place beside other cars in that class when fuel use is your main concern.

Use 19 city MPG and 27 highway MPG for a more specific comparison with your normal route.

Who it suits

This Saab suits a driver looking for a gasoline wagon with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission. The 27 MPG highway estimate fits driving that spends more time at steady speeds.

It also fits buyers who want to judge running cost from an EPA annual estimate rather than a single city or highway number.

Trade-offs

The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and automatic transmission are paired with a 22 MPG combined rating. City use is lower at 19 MPG, while highway use rises to 27 MPG.

The car runs on gasoline and produces 403.95 grams of tailpipe CO2 per mile.

Verdict

Choose the 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi if a small station wagon with front-wheel drive, a turbocharged four-cylinder, and automatic shifting matches your needs. Its EPA figures point to moderate fuel use for mixed driving, with a noticeable difference between city and highway travel. The $3,050 annual fuel estimate gives the running-cost figure to budget around, while the CO2 rating shows the emissions tied to each mile.