Photo: Saab 9-3 by Nevs, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons. It shows the model, not always this exact version.
Saab · model year 2012
2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Wagon · Front-Wheel Drive · Gas · EPA class: Small Station Wagons
Where it places
The CarCody take
The 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a small station wagon with front-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, and a six-speed automatic. Its EPA figures are 18 MPG city, 28 highway, and 21 combined. EPA annual fuel cost is $3,200, with tailpipe CO2 of 423.19 grams per mile.
Good to know
- Wagon body in the Small Station Wagons class
- Front-wheel drive with a six-speed automatic
- 28 MPG highway according to EPA figures
- 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine
Watch for
- 18 MPG city is lower than its highway figure
- 21 MPG combined means notable fuel use
- EPA annual fuel cost is $3,200
- Tailpipe CO2 is 423.19 grams per mile
Who it suits. Drivers wanting a compact wagon with front-wheel drive Highway users who can benefit from the 28-MPG rating Buyers comfortable with a $3,200 EPA yearly fuel estimate
The 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a compact wagon for buyers who value its body style, front-wheel drive, turbocharged four-cylinder, and automatic transmission. Budget around the EPA’s $3,200 annual fuel estimate, especially if your driving is city-heavy. Highway trips make better use of its 28-MPG rating, while urban use falls to 18 MPG. The 21-MPG combined figure is the clearest ownership guide. Its 423.19-gram-per-mile CO2 figure adds another consideration when comparing small station wagons.
What it is
The 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a wagon in the Small Station Wagons class. It uses front-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, and a six-speed automatic transmission. Saab’s 9-3 family is covered in Saab cars.
The fuel listing is gasoline, with FFV shown as the alternative fuel type.
The numbers
The EPA combined figure is 21 MPG. That combines 18 MPG in city driving with 28 MPG on the highway.
For mostly urban trips, the 18-MPG city number is the one to use. Longer steady highway drives can reach the 28-MPG highway figure.
What it costs to run
EPA annual fuel cost is $3,200. Your actual bill will depend on how much you drive and how closely your trips match the city and highway test cycles.
Tailpipe CO2 is 423.19 grams per mile.
How it compares
The 9-3 SportCombi sits in the Small Station Wagons chart, where the named figure is combined MPG. Its 21-MPG result gives you the number to place beside other cars in that chart.
Use 18 MPG for a city-focused comparison and 28 MPG for highway-focused trips.
Who it suits
This wagon suits a buyer who wants a small station-wagon body with front-wheel drive and an automatic transmission.
It makes more sense for drivers who can work with a 21-MPG combined result and a $3,200 EPA yearly fuel estimate than for someone focused on minimizing fuel use.
Trade-offs
The highway figure is 10 MPG higher than the city figure, so stop-and-go driving carries a clear fuel penalty.
The 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder and automatic transmission are paired with a 21-MPG combined rating. The gasoline and FFV listings describe its fuel classifications.
Verdict
Choose this Saab when a compact wagon layout and front-wheel-drive automatic setup matter more than low annual fuel spending. The EPA numbers point to a car that uses fuel more efficiently on open highway than in town, but its combined result remains 21 MPG. That makes the $3,200 yearly estimate an important part of ownership planning. Its emissions figure is also clearly stated, giving buyers a direct way to weigh running cost and tailpipe output against other small wagons.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 21 MPG
- City MPG
- 18 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 28 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 423 g per mile
- Model year
- 2012
- Body
- Wagon
- EPA size class
- Small Station Wagons
- Drive
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Engine
- 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo
- Transmission
- Automatic (S6)
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s combined MPG?
The EPA combined rating is 21 MPG.
What city and highway MPG does it get?
It is rated at 18 MPG city and 28 MPG highway.
How much does fuel cost per year?
The EPA annual fuel cost estimate is $3,200.
What type of vehicle is the Saab 9-3 SportCombi?
It is a wagon in the Small Station Wagons EPA class.
Is the 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi front-wheel drive?
Yes. Its drive layout is front-wheel drive.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and an automatic S6 transmission.
What fuel does it use?
The fuel is listed as gasoline, with FFV shown as the alternative fuel type.
What is its tailpipe CO2 figure?
The EPA tailpipe figure is 423.19 grams per mile.
More Saab model years
2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible
21 MPG · $3,200 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 Convertible
24 MPG · $2,800 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD
22 MPG · $3,050 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 Sedan AWD
23 MPG · $2,900 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi
24 MPG · $2,800 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
22 MPG · $3,050 fuel a year 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan
24 MPG · $2,800 fuel a year