Overview & Reviews

With so many entry-level luxury car choices from Germany, Japan and America, it's easy to overlook the Swedish Saab 9-3. Once upon a time, it was a great match for buyers looking for a spacious, safe and comfortable automobile with a proven safety record and a distinctly modern attitude. Actually, for used buyers, that's still the case, but new car shoppers looking for an entry-level luxury sedan will find the 9-3 now noticeably behind the times.

Though the unique and practical 9-3 hatchbacks were discontinued after the 2002 model year, the 9-3 family continues to be offered in multiple body styles: a four-door sedan, two-door convertible and four-door wagon, the latter called SportCombi. All utilize a small-displacement turbocharged engine that extracts decent power while salvaging respectable fuel economy.

Among the Saab 9-3's chief shortcomings are its lone, underwhelming engine choice, comparatively cut-rate interior quality, somewhat cramped cabin and an aging design that's lacking many increasingly common features. So, it's easy to overlook the 9-3 for a new-vehicle purchase, and that's probably not a bad thing.

Current Saab 9-3
Today's Saab 9-3 is sold in three body styles: sedan, SportCombi wagon and convertible. Each is broken into 2.0T and Aero trim levels, while the SportCombi is available in an additional all-wheel-drive trim known as 9-3X. Sedan and SportCombi models feel spacious, with low floors, upright windows and seating for five, though three in the rear seat can be tight. Legroom in particular is a sore spot. Convertible models have a rear seat for two adults of small-to-average size. Cargo room in all models is generous.

All 9-3s are powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that produces 210 horsepower. Front-wheel-drive 2.0T models come standard with a six-speed manual and are optional with a five-speed automatic. This is standard on the front-drive Aero. A six-speed automatic is standard on all-wheel-drive models, but any 9-3 with a standard automatic can be equipped with a no-cost optional manual.

The 9-3X gets an elevated ride height, an electronic limited-slip differential and different exterior and interior trim to make it a more all-terrain-suitable wagon. The front-wheel-drive Aero features a sport-tuned suspension, while the Aero XWD (sedan only) gets a limited-slip differential and a self-leveling suspension.

Inside, dramatic two-tone color schemes with lots of matte-black finishes create an intense, distinctly Scandinavian ambience -- though its look and materials are not as upscale as competitor luxury cars or even some run-of-the-mill family sedans. Longstanding Saab-isms remain, including a floor-mounted ignition switch and a "Night Panel" button that darkens all non-essential dashboard lights to reduce eye fatigue. However, the climate and audio controls are now generic, ergonomically friendly GM units.

Editorial reviews have praised the Saab 9-3 as one of the better-handling front-wheel-drive cars on the market, while taking note of its comfortable front seats and cavernous cargo areas, even in the convertible. The Aero in particular, although expensive, has a lightweight, agile feel missing from many of its competitors. Its low-powered engine, though, gives it a distinct disadvantage in a class where 300 hp is a common output. While the 9-3 isn't a bad car, you can definitely do better nowadays.

Used Saab 9-3 Models
Shoppers interested in a used Saab 9-3 should note that the vehicle has changed some since its introduction for 2003. Originally, the vehicle was available in three trim levels. The base Linear and more luxurious Arc shared a turbocharged 175-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and nearly identical styling. The Vector wore sportier clothes, rode lower and offered a 210-hp version of the same engine, which was also optional on the Arc. The 9-3 Convertible appeared for 2004, followed by the SportCombi wagon for 2006. Vector models were renamed Aero for 2005.

For 2006, the base Linear trim level and its weak motor were dropped, while the Arc was renamed 2.0T and gained the 210-hp engine as standard. The Aero received the 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 that year good for 280 hp. Six-speed manual and automatic transmissions were available. All 9-3s got an interior freshening for '07, including less bizarre, GM-sourced climate and audio controls. The all-wheel-drive Aero sedan and wagon arrived for 2008, along with the limited (for-2008-only) "Turbo X" edition. It featured 18-inch wheels, black paint, a lowered and firmer suspension, self-leveling rear shock absorber, larger brakes, black leather seats and faux carbon-fiber interior trim.

For 2009 only, the 9-3 lineup was expanded to include a dizzying number of trim levels for the various body styles and engines. They were gone the following year when the 9-3X was introduced and the Aero's turbo V6 was unfortunately dropped from the lineup. The current transmission availability dawned at this time as well.

The original Saab 9-3 debuted in 1999. Less a new model than a new name, the 9-3 took over for its Saab 900 predecessor and featured a mildly upgraded interior and revised chassis turning. Other than that, this 9-3 was pretty much the same as the 1994-'98 years of the 900. It was available in three body styles: a two-door hatchback, a four-door hatchback and a convertible.

The first-generation 9-3 is considered one of the last true Saabs. Designed before General Motors took over Saab in 2000, the 9-3 possessed all the eccentricities and quirks that Saab-o-philes consider sacred: temperamental keyholes in the floor, rounded, jet-fighter-like wraparound windshields and bustle-back styling on the hatchbacks.

Early 9-3s were offered with lively turbocharged four-cylinder engines. In 1999, base models produced 185 hp, while next up the ladder were the SE models with 205 hp and 9-3 Viggen models with 230. By 2002, base models were dropped, leaving the SE as the entry-level 9-3.

The most extroverted of the original 9-3s was the convertible. One of the first convertibles to offer a completely one-touch power top, as well as the ability to open and close all four windows with one button, the Saab 9-3 convertible also boasted one of the largest trunks in its class and a generous amount of side glass for good outward vision.

First-generation 9-3s generally provide a decent amount of feature content and safety. Their body structures are built to last, but due to spotty assembly quality, their interiors may not be. Editors at the time couldn't overlook the original 9-3's numerous shortcomings, but nonetheless were smitten by the 9-3's charm and dare-to-be-different packaging. As long as a broken-in 9-3 isn't a broken 9-3, it could be a compelling used car option -- just be prepared for the generally high maintenance and repair costs that come with owning a European import.

User Reviews:

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  Love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Davidr - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I was going to buy the Audi A-4 Convertible, as I really disliked the look of the 2003 Saab. My fiance really liked the 2003 Saab and not the Audi. Well, I decided to take one more look at the Saab, and found the totally redesigned 2004 was there and blew me away. But it and expensive- no deals. SO, back to the Audi, which is slow and poorly equiped(1.8T) or very expensive (3.0). So, knowing how cheap they were selling the Saab 2003 at the end of the year, I held out and as expected in two months the price dropped about $150 per month on the new program. Since, it has gone down anther $30! Drives like a dream!

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  love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By saabnman - April 21 - 2:00 am

  love this car, have had it for a month, well built, better than I thought it would be when I purchased. Only problem is that I wish I had considered Saabs prior to now. Have been driving MB E320, prior to that BMWs & Volvos - this is the most fun drive of all of them.

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  Nice car for the money - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By tony w. - April 18 - 6:40 am

  This is a really nice car and we get lots of compliments everywhere we go. Fuel mileage is good and the rear seat is bearable for children on intermediate length trips. Speaking f trips, there is actually room for luggage in the trunk with the top down, go figure. Good job saab

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  supah fly - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bogota columbia - April 16 - 10:00 am

  its a super duper car

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  brand new. - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By ronr - March 21 - 10:00 am

  great details. only question is reliability. drives like a dream.

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  2008 9-3 2.0t Sport Sedan - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By magnetic1 - March 19 - 1:23 pm

  The styling is great (int and ext) and elegant. After many test drives, there is nothing with more punch/dollar. Performance is impressive for 4cyl turbo. Peak torque and hp at low rpms means accessible speed. Youre flying before you know it. Some turbo lag, but prep to ~2500 rpm and its a rocket. Too much body roll on corners, but grip on the road seems unaffected. Mine is AT, but the MT is a joy. Youve got to drive it even if not buying. Love the brakes...lots of expression. As always with Saab, the controls become intuitive. Radio and climate arent impressive. Some interior items feel cheap. Not bad for the money though. Like the gauges and SID in front. Love the car. No regrets.

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  Long live my SAAB - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By B - March 8 - 4:30 am

  Love the car. Fun to drive. More than enough power that you could ask for. stylish inside and out. Warranty has been great

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  Best of the Best - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By RobertB - March 4 - 1:40 pm

  This car is wonderful. The car fits me like a glove, handles well in snow and ice, sound system is great. The trunk space surprised me on how much it can hold. Ive owned many cars over the past 25 years and this Saab convertible is my favorite car of them all.

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  Viggen - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By From BMW to SAAB - March 2 - 10:00 am

  This is my forst SAAB after driving several BMWs (All 3 series). The viggen shows a far better built an finish than the BMW. Viggen however, is not as tamed as the BMW. It requires driver attention. This car can deliver a lots of performance - but make sure that your driving is also up to the task. +

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  What are you waiting for? - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Jerry - February 27 - 8:56 am

  Just took delivery of a 2007 60th Anniversary edition 9-3 2.0T on a trade for my 03 9-3 Linear. Got the 4 cyl instead of the 6 cyl Aero because my driving needs dont warrant the bigger engine. The 4 cyl is plenty of power and pickup. Saab has this car totally dialed in now and it is amazing. Pricewise a terrific value, safe and refined. There is no reason this should not be the leading entry level luxury sedan on the market. Far more interesting and fun to drive than the Asian counterparts, and a far better buy than the other Europeans. Drive it, look at how its built, and get one while they last.