Overview & Reviews

The 2006 model year brings a refresh to the Saab 9-5, as the company hopes to extend its life cycle several more years. Highlights include an exterior face-lift, a retuned suspension, a new control layout and a price cut of about $2,000. The familiar Linear, Arc and Aero trim levels are history, as the sedan and wagon come in one model apiece. The wagon is now called the SportCombi as on the 9-3 line. Equipment is similar to last year's Arc model, though 17-inch wheels and the high-output version of the 2.3-liter turbo four are now standard. A revised intake results in 10 extra horsepower for a total of 260. The old Aero's sport suspension is optional.

• Long list of standard features, exceptionally supportive front seats, plenty of cargo space, simple controls.

• Turbo four lacks refinement, ride can be harsh at times, torque steer under hard acceleration, excessive wind noise, some low-grade interior materials, no rear-seat airbags.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 46.00

• 

  More rattles than a box of biscuits - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By charles pinnick - November 20 - 8:06 pm

  Lovely car for the price but unfortunately I bought it new and could not get much of a deal. I am a slender 170lbs yet the cushion bottom on my leather ventilated sport-seats has gone nearly flat and I am sitting on the frame. Dealership said they fixed it by putting a new one in (and billing Saab no doubt) but I believe they simply turned it over and puffed it out. Bad for the back - and that is one of the reasons I bought my second Saab 9-5. The rattles on this car KILL me. The plastics are low-grade economy plastics and there are more rattles in this new design than there were in the older vehicle. These new vintages suffer from shoddier plastics--Saab says 1 yr on rattles-bs!

• 

  Second Saab wagon - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By nelsoncm - November 20 - 7:46 pm

  Its a nice car for a small family of 3, plus 1 dog. The 06 ride is fairly smooth (for a Saab) and as always, wonderful on the freeway. What brought me back to Saab for a second time was the comfy, supportive seats. Unlike Volvo, headrest is adjustable, which is nice when youre short. All the amenities are here, heated seats, satellite radio, moonroof. Roomier back seat than many other wagons. Decent warranty. Only one problem in first 6 months, a faulty airbag sensor, which was fixed under warranty. Because its a 4-cyl, gets great mileage. They manage to get 260 hp out of this little engine, so it moves, though there is more turbo lag than in my old v-6.

• 

  Fabulous Car! Terrible cup holders! - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Mike Hoggan - October 4 - 4:33 pm

  Love exterior design of our 95. Not a lot of them on the road, so its unique and gets a lot of attention. The 2.3 L turbo is thrilling powerhouse with excellent excelleration, especially in Sport mode. Handling terrific, color, quality & design of interior materials great. But some wind noise and annoying rattle that has developed in moon roof that dealership service now tells us is common problem with 95 but very annoying in car this price - we are determined this will be fixed.

• 

  needs all wheel drive - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By carguy - December 28 - 11:00 am

  Although this car is front wheel drive, it was fun to drive. I have owned several Saabs, and this 9-5 drove as good or better then all of them. Saabs are known for their torque, and the new 2.3 turbo was strong from second gear on up (first gear was weak). Unfortunately, there is still torque steer under hard acceleration (negative of front wheel drive cars). Seats were very supported and comfortable, stereo was very good, it shifted smoothly, and handled well. If Saab made this all wheel drive, they would have an awesome car to compete with the best from Europe, the front wheel drive on this car stops it from measurng up to other sport sedans. Over all, for the money, its a fun, comfortable car

• 

  Underestimated - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By SaabNY - June 23 - 12:50 am

  I purchased my 2006 9-5 with end of year incentives. We already had a Saab 9-3 in the family which we like a lot. Im very happy stepping up to the 9-5. Similiar understated luxury but with better interior quality and design. I now have 10,000 miles and zero problems. The 9-5 may not be the most modern car on the road but I think the long production run has given Saab a chance to refine the platform and fix a lot of early production issues. Despite some GM parts, the 9-5 still has lots of Saab feel and luckily manages to NOT feel like any GM vehicle that Ive ever driven.

• 

  A Mixed Bag-Fun, Economical but Fragile - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Mendelation - August 21 - 1:56 am

  Theres a lot to like in this car. Good combination of power and fuel economy. Lots of room in the interior and trunk. Unique car that you dont see everyday. However, the quality leaves much to be desired. The engine at idle send vibrations through the whole car and lots of interior pieces now vibrate. Lots of wind noise. Air bag problems, sun roof rattle problems, loss of coolant on trip, gas gauge failure. I worry about the long term durability of this car.

• 

  2006 9-5 good, but could be better - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By darryl greer - July 18 - 7:26 pm

  I just put my first 1000 miles on the new 9-5, having recently turned in a 2003 9-5 Arc with 50,000 miles, (flawless mechanical record). Good news is that the car is largely unchanged in handling and ride. Braking and headlights are superior. Yet the 2.3L four is much rougher than the old V-6, with noticable turbo-lag and torque steer. The updated dash is improved, but Saab uses cheaper materials inside, below prior quality. Seating remains the same- comfortable;and ventilation has improved. Overall, the car like previous 9-5s seems at its best cruising at higher speeds, and on extended highway drives, resulting in a smooth, safe and secure ride with performance and comfort.

• 

  First SAAB - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Gerick - December 9 - 1:50 pm

  I have owned Acura, BMW, and VW. After test driving the above cars plus others, The 9-5 had the perfect balance of sport and luxury, comfort and elegance. Its a drivers car. You feel connected to the road which I enjoy experiencing. Above all, its a unique car which not every one has.

• 

  Nice ride - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Ron L - April 3 - 4:00 pm

  Nice ride, fine fuel economy for a car with this power and room inside. Great car for a sales person who is in the car all day. I am loving this car! I live in Canada and run with 4 snows in winter and the car is safe and sound in ice and snow. ABS, ESP make for a nice combo on the ice covered roads.