For those looking for a fuel-efficient used car today, the Saturn SL sedan’s great gas mileage ratings present a compelling option.

The SL sedan was built with a 1.9 liter four cylinder engine in single overhead cam (SOHC) and dual overhead cam (DOHC) varients. The SL and SL1 were fitted with the SOHC engine, which produced 100 horsepower (HP) and 114 foot pounds of torque. The SL2 was equipped with the more powerful 16-valve DOHC engine, which produced 124 HP and 122 foot pounds of torque.

Saturn SL Gas Mileage: 1991-2002

The attention-grabbing “accessorized” 2002 Saturn SC (shown above) demonstrated GM’s factory effort to go after a bit of the tuner market … in the looks department.

A 1.9 liter four cylinder engine — in both single overhead cam (SOHC) and dual overhead cam (DOHC) variants — was found under the hood of the SC (depending on the model). The SC1 carried the SOHC engine, which produced 100 horsepower (HP) and 114 foot pounds of torque, while the SC2 was fitted with the more powerful 16-valve DOHC engine, which produced 124 HP and 122 foot pounds of torque.

The SC coupe’s driver’s side third door (shown below) set the coupe apart from the competition, by providing enhanced access to the back seat for loading and unloading.

Saturn SC Gas Mileage: 1991-2002

Viewing the statistics, it’s easy to understand how the Insight hybrid achieved those remarkable gas mileage results. Weighing in at under a ton, Honda’s little spaceship had a big head start, with a diminutive 1.0 liter three cylinder engine providing just enough oomph and efficiency to land the micro hybrid’s gas mileage in the stratosphere.

With the Insight put out to pasture after the 2006 model year, the Toyota Prius snatched the hybrid gas mileage crown, edging out the Honda Civic Hybrid.

The mid-decade loss of the Civic Hybrid’s manual transmission option is worth noting. With the ever-increasing focus on fuel-efficiency and a Honda sports hybrid on the way, it might not be the last we see of the stick-shift Honda hybrids.

The promise of the 100 mile per gallon (MPG) hybrid isn’t a dream … it’s achievable today, with an aftermarket plug-in hybrid conversion kit.

2000-2008 Hybrid Gas Mileage

Part and parcel to our role as the Internet’s leading independent authority on gas mileage, we’re committed to the task of documenting each and every hybrid SUV currently on the road by the end of 2008. As of August 2008, we’ve reviewed the following vehicles:

• Ford Escape Hybrid SUV
• Lexus RX400h Hybrid SUV
• Saturn Vue Green Line Hybrid SUV
• Toyota Highlander Hybrid SUV

Each one of these SUV hybrids is an excellent vehicle in its own right. Each takes a different approach.

The Escape Hybrid is a more traditional SUV with the best overall mileage in its class, while the RX400h is a roomy and comfortable living room on wheels. These two play opposite ends of the utility and luxury scale.

The Vue Green Line has European roots and flair, with unique styling, segment-topping highway gas mileage, and a more car-like ride.

The roomy and versatile Toyota Highlander Hybrid delivers the best overall gas mileage for a seven passenger SUV.

Over the following months, if all goes well, we’ll schedule the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, Chrysler Aspen Hybrid, Dodge Durango Hybrid, and Mercury Mariner Hybrid … along with second-gen units as they are available.

We’re most intrigued by the possibilities of plug-in hybrid SUVs. If an owner-modded plug-in Prius is capable of 100 miles per gallon (MPG), we’d hope to see a modded Escape Hybrid deliver similar numbers.

While only time will tell what the aftermarket has planned, we plan to be there to tell the tale and we hope you’ll come along for the ride …

Under the hood, the 2008 Astra is fitted with an Ecotec 1.8 liter four cylinder engine producing 138 horsepower and 125 foot pounds of torque. While European design details abound in the Astra, the power plant is decidedly domestic.

Among its distinctive design features, the simple yet elegant dashboard, enormous sunroof, and switchblade-like ignition key set the Astra apart from the crowd.

The EPA gas mileage estimates for the 2008 Saturn Astra are 24 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG) when equipped with an automatic transmission.

Over a week of driving, we were able to exceed the estimates, achieving 33.6 MPG on the highway and 28.1 MPG combined.

The Astra provides excellent handling, but its lack of low-end power is a shortcoming, particularly when fitted with the automatic transmission.

The key to optimum gas mileage is presented front and center. The Astra’s on board computer shares its orange monochrome LCD with the sound system allowing you to maximize fuel efficiency with a pair of trip meters and an instant consumption gauge.

Keep an eye on the Astra’s instant consumption gauge while driving with forethought and you’ll soon achieve those (formerly) elusive high mileage figures.

While the Astra may be lacking in straight line performance, it shines on twisty back roads, where it is a sheer joy to drive. The optional sport suspension package and low profile Michelin tires provide an abundance of grip as the Astra moves effortlessly through the twisties.

It’s easy to see why the German-designed, Belgian-built Astra is one of the best-selling cars in Europe, where it is marketed as both an Opel and a Vauxhall. The handling is clearly a notch above much of the competition.

We’d love to see the Astra become a huge success here in the States. But given the times in which we live, it will take a radical move from General Motors to fit the right power plant under the hood. Simply bolting in a more powerful but more thirsty turbocharged gasoline engine will only serve to entice the purely performance oriented.

For the sake of all, GM needs to bring a high-MPG version of the Astra here ASAP.

When mated to a manual transmission in the European Astra Sport Hatch SRi, GM’s CDTI common rail diesel engine produces 0-60 times of 8.3 seconds with 150 HP and 320 Newton meters of torque (roughly 236 foot pounds).

But it’s the fuel economy figures that are the big story with the Euro diesel Astra. In the UK, the Astra Sport Hatch SRi is rated at 39.2 urban / 60.1 extra-urban. That equates to roughly 32.6 city / 50 highway here in the United States.

How many of those could Saturn sell?

Only time will tell …

The Green Line is powered by a Hybrid drive train with a 2.4 liter Ecotec inline four cylinder engine that produces 169 horsepower (HP) and 161 foot pounds of torque, mated to a 4-speed automatic transmission.

Saturn’s little hybrid SUV is different then the Toyota-technology based hybrids, in that it gets better gas mileage on the highway then it does in the city. Like the Honda Civic Hybrid, the VUE Green Line does not creep around at low speed solely on electric power. Instead, the Green Line uses its electric motor to assist with acceleration.

There’s no doubt that the Saturn VUE Green Line produces excellent mileage on the open road, with EPA ratings of 25 city / 32 highway miles per gallon (MPG). This score awards the little SUV the distinction of the highest highway MPG of all 2008 SUVs sold in America. We easily exceeded the official ratings, rolling up a healthy 34.2 MPG on the highway in over 200 miles of driving in 70 degree weather.

While the Saturn VUE Green Line is thrifty on the Interstate, with 3789 pounds to push around it’s no rocket ship off the line. (We didn’t set a stop watch for the 0-60 time, but we did videotape it.) But the Ecotec inline four’s power band kicks in around 4000 RPM and is strong all the way to the 7000 RPM red line. A manual shift option on the shifter allows the sporting-minded driver to keep the rev-happy engine in its power band.

Hint: Letting off the gas after accelerating to speed is one of the keys to getting the best gas mileage from the Green Line. You’ll want to watch for the green Eco light while keeping an eye on the Instant Fuel Economy display in the Driver’s Information Center (between the Tachometer and Speedometer). When the Eco light is lit, you’re in the zone for better mileage … it’s up to you to maintain the slightest possible pressure on the gas pedal.

The VUE Green Line’s Auto Stop function saves fuel by shutting down the engine when you come to a complete stop with your foot on the brake.

When you lift your foot off the brake pedal, the belt alternator starter system instantly brings the engine to life. (In practice, we found it best to carefully lift your foot a moment before you want to take off, to avoid any lag.)

In addition to the Instant Fuel Economy display, the Driver’s Information Center provides a host of data, including: direction, outside temperature, average fuel economy, oil life, tire pressures, trip distance, and fuel range.

All in all, the Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid compact SUV presents an interesting mix of European styling, smooth ride, car-like handling, plenty of cargo room, and class-topping highway fuel economy.

While only available in front-wheel-drive (FWD), the VUE Green Line is a thrifty choice for style-conscious folks downsizing from jumbotron-sized SUVs. It’s not a far stretch to imagine nearly doubling your gas mileage.

We caught lots of double-takes from folks sizing up the VUE, a good share of which came from moms driving gas-guzzling mega luxury SUVs.

Could a Cadillac version be far off?

The 2008 Saturn Aura is available in four levels of trim, each with a specific power plant.

• Aura XE – 2.4 liter DOHC four cylinder engine, producing 169 horsepower (HP) and 160 foot pounds of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. Gas mileage ratings: 22 city / 30 highway MPG.
• Aura XE V6 – 3.5 liter V6 engine, producing 219 HP and 219 foot pounds of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic. Gas mileage ratings: 18 city / 29 highway MPG.
• Aura XR (shown above)- 3.6 liter V6 engine, producing 252 HP and 251 foot pounds of torque, mated to a six-speed TAPshift automatic. Gas mileage ratings: 17 city / 26 highway MPG.
• Aura Green Line – 2.4 liter four cylinder engine with hybrid propulsion, producin 164 HP and 159 foot pounds of torque, mated to a four-speed automatic. Gas mileage ratings: 24 city / 32 highway MPG.

Saturn Aura Gas Mileage – 2007-2008

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

1979-1981 High MPG Cars 1982 High MPG Cars 1983 High MPG Cars 1984 High MPG Cars There’s no denying that there were some real clunkers in those big lists. But there’s one thing for sure. While the list of today’s 30 MPG cars might be shorter, the improvement in overall quality cannot be denied. Passing a federal law to raise the automakers’ overall fuel efficiency to 35 MPG by 2020 is just goofy when you get right down to it. With the natural shift that is currently underway, that goal may well be met in half the time purely through market forces. As the public more fully understands the choices that are currently available – and are soon to come to market – the shift will accelerate. The 2009 model year may very well prove to be the tipping point, as 1985 was in the opposite direction. A 30 MPG car might be considered by some (many?) Europeans to be a gas guzzler. The cars sold abroad are not all that different. Yes, there are differences in environmental and safety systems, but the facts remain. A great many of the cars that our very own American automakers sell in Europe far exceed their domestic models when it comes to fuel-efficiency.

30 MPG Cars – 2008 Audi A4 Audi A4 Cabriolet Audi TT Coupe Chevrolet Aveo Chevrolet Aveo 5 Chevrolet Cobalt Chevrolet HHR Chevrolet HHR Panel Chevrolet Malibu Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid Chrysler Sebring Dodge Avenger Ford Escape Hybrid FWD Ford Focus Honda Accord 2DR Coupe Honda Accord 4DR Sedan Honda Civic Honda Civic Hybrid Honda Fit Hyundai Accent Hyundai Elantra Hyundai Sonata Kia Optima Kia Rio Kia Spectra Mazda Mazda3 Mazda Tribute Hybrid 2WD Mercedes-Benz E320 Bluetec Mercury Mariner Hybrid FWD Mini Cooper Convertible Nissan Altima Nissan Altima Coupe Nissan Altima Hybrid Nissan Sentra Nissan Versa Pontiac G5 Pontiac G6 Pontiac Vibe Saturn Aura Saturn Aura Hybrid Suzuki SX4 Suzuki SX4 Sedan Toyota Camry Toyota Camry Hybrid Toyota Solara Toyota Corolla Toyota Matrix Toyota Prius Toyota Scion XD Toyota Yaris Volkswagen EOS

2008 Cars – 30 MPG Highway

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.

The 2008 Vue is available with three engine choices, based on trim level. The Vue XE FWD and Green Line (hybrid) models are fitted with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine, rated at 169 horsepower. AWD Vue XE models are equipped with a 3.5 liter V-6 engine, rated at 222 horsepower, while the Vue XR and Vue Red Line are fitted with a DOHC 3.6 liter V-6 that pumps out 257 horsepower, topping the charts for the range. Gas mileage ratings for the Vue Green Line hybrid top the 2WD SUV highway charts.

Saturn Vue Gas Mileage – 2002-2009

Note: the EPA tweaked their testing procedure, starting with the 2008 model year, with the end result being that the 2008 MPG estimates are now lower than previous years. As always, YMMV.