Overview & Reviews

Looking to appeal to younger, less affluent buyers, Saab took the easy way out with the 9-2X by using the "badge-engineered" approach practically pioneered by parent company General Motors. By leveraging GM's overseas partnerships, starting with a Subaru Impreza wagon and adding some unique styling, a retuned suspension and different fabric inside, Saab wound up with the entry-level 9-2X sport wagon. Although the 9-2X came together quickly with the desired blend of style and practicality, Saab's unique Scandinavian character was largely left out of the mix.

The "X" in the Saab 9-2's moniker referred to its standard all-wheel-drive system, a core attribute of the donor vehicle. Differentiating the Saab 9-2X were its softened exterior lines with unique front and rear styling, as well as larger alloy wheels and all-season tires. Carried over, however, were two engines: an un-Saab-like, non-turbocharged 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder on the base 2.5i model, and a much stronger turbo version on the high-performance Aero.

Was the transformation worth it? In our opinion, not really. Despite a longer warranty and a more fetching appearance, the Saab 9-2X came off as a poor value at the time. Its Subaru-sourced interior felt rather cheap for a premium brand, and it didn't deliver the sort of refined ride quality one might expect from a high-end vehicle. The 9-2X also lacked upscale features like stability control, navigation and premium audio.

Not surprisingly, sales were slow. Because of this as well as disruptions with GM's partnership with Subaru, Saab discontinued the model after just two years. As a used model, the 9-2X fares a little better, especially since there will likely be good deals to be found. Subaru fans simply wanting a nicer Impreza are potential buyers. But most people looking for a premium small wagon will be better off paying more for a true, small luxury wagon.

Most Recent Saab 9-2X

The Saab 9-2X wagon was produced for 2005 and '06. Two trim levels were offered in the first year -- the base Linear and the more powerful Aero. The Linear was renamed "2.5i" for the second year. Standard features on the base model were 16-inch alloy wheels, cloth sport seats, manual air-conditioning and a single-CD sound system. The upmarket Aero was a bit more appealing with foglamps, metallic-ringed gauges, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shifter, automatic climate control and a CD changer. The 9-2X could be further dressed up with 17-inch alloys, leather seating, seat heaters, xenon HID headlights and a moonroof.

The base Linear and 2.5i models were motivated by a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed ("boxer") four-cylinder engine. It was rated at 165 horsepower and then upgraded for the 2.5i model to produce 173 hp. The Aero model's engine also changed slightly. For '05, it was a 2.0-liter turbocharged flat-4 making 227 hp. The following year, it had a 2.5-liter version that made 230 hp. All engines were hooked up to a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic. All-wheel drive was standard.

While the exterior styling of the 9-2X may have whispered "Saab," the interior was much less distinguished. The gauges were clean and legible, but also somewhat plain for this price point. Attractive two-tone cloth upholstery graced the seats and decently textured materials were used on the dash and door tops, but there were also hard, shiny plastics used elsewhere and a cheap, cardboard-like headliner overhead. More practical than pretty, a 60/40-split-folding rear seat helped with bulky cargo and up to 62 cubic feet of cargo space was available.

Although the suspension settings were retuned and softened for the Saab 9-2X, we found that the refined ride quality of its competitors was missing. Making up for this was a tossable character on curves and back roads, especially in Aero guise. The base engine provided enough power for around-town driving, but it felt a bit sluggish when passing on the highway. The Aero's turbo engine was a gem, though, with a broad power band and smooth delivery except for a slight bit of lag off the line. The automatic transmission tended to blunt the 9-2X's performance in either case, so enthusiasts will want to look for a manual gearbox.

User Reviews:

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  I Love My Saaburu - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Oolon Coluphid - February 22 - 2:36 am

  This car is so much fun to drive that my wife and I regularly fight over the keys.

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  the perfect AWD sport wagon - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By jvo - February 16 - 5:20 pm

  After driving this car for about 4000 miles I absolutely love it. The AWD is excellent in South Florida rain and Ive found the usable cargo space to be near that of my previous 96 4runner. After about a 1200 mile breakin period Ive notice a significant improvement in gas mileage to around 27 mpg (combined city/highway). The seats were supportive and comfortable on the numerous 3-4 hour trips Ive taken. Perhaps the best attributes of this car are the combination of Japanese reliability, European luxury service, and GM employee pricing. I repeatedly get inquiries and compliments on my unique car.

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  Great buy - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Gina - February 12 - 7:36 pm

  Great car. Love the free oil changes and maintenance. Have not had one problem except using the wrong gasoline. Must use detergent gasoline (Shell, Amoco, etc). non-detergent gasoline will slow start-ups. Very comfortable car.

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  Fit for me and fun to drive - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By sagebrush - January 28 - 9:13 pm

  I choose this car for fit to my driving style, safety and fun to drive. I like a manual, compact car and the styling suited my step up from traditional GM cars. I knew it was a Saaburu - but for someone who wanted a manual 5 sp with AWD, and didnt look like a boys car (Im middle-aged professional woman), the 9-2X is a kick to drive. I feel safe with some fun power. I hit a deer doing 50 mph and the car didnt even quiver (the windshield didnt fare too well - but held). While I dont disagree with the reviews - I still love my car - and that is what counts.

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  Y not WRX - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Awdride - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car but for alot less you can find a nice cheap used WRX wagon on ebay. Actually Subaru designed the 9-2x for saab thats why they look exactly the same. great car.

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  Electrical Problems - beware - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Disgruntled Saab Man - January 23 - 9:06 am

  I had heard Saab was reliable and the new models did have pazazz and class. Wrong. Uncomfortable seats, and from the first I had problems with electrical. After setting for 3-4 days, the battery was completely dead. Then it would be fine for a month or so; then repeat the problem. The dealer was clueless. They replaced the battery and the alternator, which I told them was not the problem. I had a Jeep once with same problem. It was a wiring problem that drained the system. But, they knew best. Finally they offered me an insulting trade down to a used VW with outrageous payments. I took it to Carmax and got a Honda. Carmax is where I now buy all of my cars (Hondas). Great place.

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  Saab 9-2X Fun! - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Alisa - December 24 - 12:30 pm

  I love my Saab 9-2x so much that I have actually tried to convince others to buy it, too! The car has handled well in every situation Ive tried it in, Im hoping it will remain just as good in the snow this winter. It is sporty, yet still a "luxury" car if that makes any sense at all. I wasnt looking for any frills, just a good, solid car. I did, however, end up getting the cold weather package so I have heated windshield wipers and outer mirrors... I cant wait til it is cold enough to use them! This car was in HIGH demand when I bought it this summer, so Ill live with the upgrade. :) I have never owned a Saab before... after owning this car I would gladly go back!

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  Good all wheel drive wagon - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By Joe Yu - November 15 - 5:13 am

  The car is fun to drive and the reliability is excellent. The interior of the car is cheap appearing. The all wheel drive is very good in the snow.

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  Sweet little thing - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Anne - October 19 - 3:26 pm

  This is my first car, and i could not have asked for a better one. I never have to worry about it breaking down and that little 2.5 liter engine gets me where i want where i want to go on about 27mpg. It is great in corners and never looses hold of the road. Also it is so pretty to look at...sigh...the only problem i have with it is that the non-turbo model has that typical subaru lag in 2nd gear. Also in really bad snow, like 6 inches on the road, turns can be tricky, but it does great everywhere else. All in all, i love this car! Test drive it!!

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  saab 92-x - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By davidreaume - October 14 - 4:40 pm

  Both my wife and I love this car. The utility and fun to drive is unsurpassed.