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 manual transmission. Its EPA rating is 24 MPG combined, split between 20 city and 32 highway. EPA annual fuel cost is $2,800, with tailpipe CO2 of 370.29 grams per mile.
Good to know
- 24 MPG combined EPA rating
- 32 MPG highway rating
- Wagon body with front-wheel drive
- Six-speed manual transmission
- 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder
Watch for
- 20 MPG city rating
- EPA annual fuel cost of $2,800
- 370.29 grams-per-mile tailpipe CO2
- Manual transmission is the only listed transmission
Who it suits. Drivers wanting a small front-wheel-drive wagon Highway trips where the 32 MPG rating matters Buyers comfortable with a manual transmission
The 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi makes sense for someone seeking a compact wagon with a manual gearbox and predictable EPA mileage. Budget $2,800 a year for fuel under the EPA estimate, and expect the result to vary with the balance of city and highway miles. Its 20 MPG city rating favors neither heavy urban use nor short trips, while 32 MPG highway is the stronger number for longer runs. The FFV designation and gasoline fuel listing round out the powertrain details without changing the central choice: a practical small wagon with a clear highway advantage.
What it is
The 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a wagon in the Small Station Wagons class. It has front-wheel drive, a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine, and a six-speed manual transmission.
Its defining EPA figure is 24 MPG combined. The fuel listing is gasoline, and the alternative-fuel type is FFV.
The numbers
The EPA split is 20 MPG in city driving and 32 MPG on the highway. The highway rating is higher than the city rating, showing how steady highway travel differs from stop-and-go use.
At 24 MPG combined, fuel use follows the combined rating.
What it costs to run
EPA annual fuel cost is $2,800. That estimate reflects the 24 MPG combined rating and gives a simple yearly budget figure for fuel.
Tailpipe CO2 is rated at 370.29 grams per mile.
How it compares
Its chart measure is 24 MPG combined, supported by 20 city and 32 highway. Without another model's rating, there is no honest MPG difference to quote.
For a broader Saab search, see Saab cars.
Who it suits
This wagon suits a driver who wants a compact body, front-wheel drive, and a manual gearbox, with more favorable EPA mileage on highway trips than in city driving.
It also fits a buyer looking at an FFV-labeled gasoline vehicle and planning around a $2,800 annual fuel estimate.
Trade-offs
The 32 MPG highway rating is notably higher than the 20 MPG city rating, so frequent urban driving will not match the combined figure. The manual transmission also requires the driver to shift.
The wagon body and front-wheel-drive layout define its format, while the 370.29-gram-per-mile CO2 rating is part of the running-cost picture.
Verdict
Choose the 9-3 SportCombi if a small wagon, front-wheel drive, and a six-speed manual fit your daily routine. Its 24 MPG combined rating gives a clear middle ground between its city and highway figures, while the EPA fuel estimate sets a $2,800 yearly reference point. Highway commuters may find the 32 MPG rating more relevant than the 20 MPG city number. Buyers who need an automatic transmission or a different body style should look elsewhere.
Every figure on record
- Combined MPG
- 24 MPG
- City MPG
- 20 MPG
- Highway MPG
- 32 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,800
- Tailpipe CO₂
- 370 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
- Manual 6-spd
- Fuel
- Gasoline
Questions
What is the 2012 Saab 9-3 SportCombi's combined MPG?
Its EPA combined rating is 24 MPG.
What city and highway mileage does it get?
The EPA ratings are 20 MPG city and 32 MPG highway.
How much does it cost to fuel each year?
The EPA annual fuel-cost estimate is $2,800.
What engine and transmission does it use?
It has a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission.
Is the 9-3 SportCombi front-wheel drive?
Yes. The listed drive layout is front-wheel drive.
What type of vehicle is it?
It is a wagon classified by the EPA as a Small Station Wagon.
What fuel and alternative-fuel designation are listed?
The fuel listing is gasoline, and the alternative-fuel type is FFV.
What is its tailpipe CO2 rating?
Tailpipe CO2 is rated at 370.29 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
21 MPG · $3,200 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