mpg-o-editor 
MPG-o-Matic Saturn VUE Green Line Review Summary: The distinctively styled Saturn VUE Green Line hybrid competes with the Ford Escape Hybrid, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Jeep Patriot, and Compass among others in the crowded compact SUV category.
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.
Saab gas mileage ratings have remained relatively steady over the years, with highway ratings that top out in the mid-to-high twenty mile per gallon (MPG) range.
The 2.0 liter equipped 9-3 Sport Sedan (shown below) holds the current high spot in the Saab lineup, scoring 19 MPG city and 29 MPG highway. While those numbers may have been sufficient while gas was cheap, the future is clear. Saab needs to begin offering a fuel-efficient diesel option in America, as quickly as possible.
Over the years, Saabs have flirted with and have exceeded the 30 MPG milestone (although under the older EPA testing standard). 1984 appears to be the high water mark, with the 2.0 liter equipped Saab 900 hitting 37 MPG when fitted with the five-speed manual transmission.
In the UK, Saab offers the 9-3 with three diesel engine options, with the most powerful of the trio delivering 8 second 0-60 times and 50.4 miles per Imperial gallon combined (in a six-speed manual equipped Saloon) … that’s the equivalent of roughly 42 MPG here in the States.
Not interested in a $500 rebate on your new car? Rather have free gas? How about ten tanks full? Hold onto your hats. Suzuki is offering up to $470 of “free gas” to folks who buy a new Suzuki car or SUV. That’s on top of 0% financing. FREE GAS PROVIDED IN FORM OF A … Read more
Over the years, BMW’s 3-Series have earned a well-deserved reputation for delivering a convincing combination of performance and handling, while achieving reasonable gas mileage (for those blessed with the constitution to keep their foot out of it). The current crop of BMW 328s and 335s are no exception, with highway gas mileage ratings in the mid to high twenty mile per gallon range.
The return of diesel-powered BMWs to America heralds a new era of fuel efficient sporting transport. We had the opportunity to review the BMW 335d and found it to deliver a stunning combination of fuel-efficiency and performance.
Rumor has it that the 335d will not be offered in 2012. We can only hope that the 3-series diesels return quickly, as the mileage ratings are nothing less than stunning.
In the UK, the diesel-powered BMW 320d ES is rated at 47.1 miles per Imperial gallon (MPG) urban, 68.9 MPG extra-urban, and 58.9 MPG combined with a six-speed manual transmission. That equates roughly to 39.2 city, 57.4 highway, 49 combined here in America. The 320d is no dog … as turns in a 0-62 mile per hour (MPH) time of 7.9 seconds with a top speed of 143 MPH.
It might seem odd that a website devoted to the topic of gas mileage would spend so much time on SUV reviews, but we’re simply listening to our audience. While it’s clear that the tide has changed, America’s tempestuous love affair with the SUV is far from over.
SUV reviews will be part of our editorial mix for as long as we keep buying the beasts. Rest assured that most, if not all, of our SUV reviews will focus on the more fuel efficient choices in each of the categories, from the cute Utes and Crossovers (CUV) to roomy seven and eight seaters. (But we won’t be driving a Hummer unless GM gets around to shipping a fuel-sipping hybrid or clean diesel.)
As of November, we’ve reviewed eleven SUVs and CUVs, including four hybrids and the only domestic diesel currently available in the USA: