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 the new 9-3 - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By danb74 - November 1 - 10:00 am

  This is the first car I have owned that I feel I just might actually love. Fun to drive, gets around curves with little effort, good turbo punch with very little lag, lots of room up front, great driver interior layout - and so on and so on.

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  almost perfect - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By erich - October 25 - 6:36 pm

  Saab really did a good job with this car. The V6 makes all the difference. Thank god those 4 cylinders are gone. The car has incredible passing power. Acceleration is smooth through the entire power band. I also found it to be a MUCH better value than a comperably equipped Audi or BMW. I feel like I saved thousands. The base Aero has almost everything youd want on it so you dont get dinged for options that should be standard.

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  Not bought yet? Run! Bought? SELL!!!! - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By SaabNeverAgain! - October 19 - 9:26 am

  Okay, positives first: This is by far the most fun car I have ever driven - except to the shop. And I know what I am talking about - I have had to do that a lot and that aint cheap! Bought it 3 years ago, had been leased for 3 years. Should have gotten the hint with all the things I had done on it while under the warranty still. I have had to pay $600-$1200 repairs on it several times a year for the past 3 years and I finally gave up and dumped this piece of workmanjunk at a pretty big loss! If you havent bought one, but consider it, seriously reconsider. If you have one and are seeing problems mount, just get rid of it ASAP - too expensive to fix everything, all the time!

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  My Saab 9-3 - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Jazz - October 14 - 2:00 am

  Great car, excellant performance, fun to drive. Too small with two growing children.

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  disappointed in build quality & service - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By notsofast - October 13 - 12:20 pm

  Took delivery 11/29/04 - after having the car for 26 days it had to spend 11 days at the dealer for repairs (steering wheel lock). The acceleration is very slow for surface street driving and hesitates badly. Service also a disappointment. Car has been in three times to get reprogramming offered by Saab completed.

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  Amazing car for the price. - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By realhwaker - October 11 - 9:26 pm

  It is just an amazing car for the dollar value. You can really get some good deals on this car. I bought a 2.0t with the 60th anniversary package. They have great lease rates and you will be hard pressed to find this kind of car in this price range. You also wont see tons of these on the road.

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  1999 9-3 WOW - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By rsbrissett - October 2 - 7:10 am

  I bought off the original owner who was 65 and kept every document. This car is nothing short of incredible! Acceleration is muscle car and fuel economy is frugal. Tensioner pulley seized (which caused serpentine belt to break) and caused the car to overheat for over 20 miles. After replacing the belt and the pulley the car is 100%! I cannot Kill my Saab! It has not let me down and neither will I!

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  So far so good! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By AlamoSpear - September 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my 9-3 used with 4,800 miles on it (9,000 now). I assume that it was traded in because of the rather harsh ride (my previous car was a MBZ 300E), especially given the poor condition of the roads around here. But it is a blast to drive - quick handling and acceptable acceleration with only 170HP. Love the exterior design. The enterior is minimalistic - very European. Trunk is quite large given the overall size of the car.

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  Its a nice car. - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By New 93 Owner - September 25 - 2:00 am

  It’s a nice little car. SAAB offers real nice deals. Many reviewers who talk bad about this car have not researched much. GM may have financially helped SAAB, but it is not the GM that designs and builds the car. It’s SAAB. Lexus are much better cars? Lexus are excellent boring cars that do not have personality. ES300? Isn’t it Camry? Do they know how much ES300 is sold for in Japan? It’s mid-sized family and nowhere near luxury. I agree this SAAB is not luxury, but at least it is quick and fun. The ReAxs system works pretty good on corners. Well, test-drive it. It is not that bad.

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  Marvellous Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Murf - September 25 - 2:00 am

  Saab has delivered a serious competitor to BMWs and Audis at an EXTREMELY competitive price - the 93 sports sedan is fast, safe, and packed with standard features that would cost $000s in similar European cars. Handling, agility and stylish looks are major pull factors. I test drove every car in its class and then some and for the money, there is no question that this is the leader of the pack.