Overview & Reviews

When is a Saab not a Saab? Certainly, the 9-7X, the company's first SUV, had Saab's signature grille, requisite badging and floor-mounted ignition. But underneath the Swedish veneer was General Motors' midsize, truck-based SUV platform, which means that the 9-7X shared its core mechanicals with the departed Chevy Trailblazer family (including models from Buick, GMC, Isuzu and Oldsmobile).

The Saab 9-7X thus felt like a trucky GM SUV that was taken to Sweden to get a mild infusion of Saab character, which -- no surprise -- is exactly what it is. It's like putting Uncle Sam in a Viking helmet, or Bruce Springsteen in an ABBA jumpsuit. In spite of Saab's best efforts at altering the interior and exterior styling and revising the vehicle's suspension tuning, it could never hide the fact that the Ohio-built 9-7X was limited by its heritage. As a choice for a luxury SUV, it was and remains mediocre. We feel most consumers would be happier with other choices, such as Acura's MDX or Mercedes' M-Class.

Most Recent Saab 9-7X
The Saab 9-7X was produced from 2005-'09. It originally came in a single trim level, but the next year saw each available engine get its own trim level: Linear and Arc. These were renamed the following year to reflect engine displacement: 4.2i and 5.3i. A higher-performance Aero model was introduced for 2008.

Forget small displacement and turbochargers -- the 9-7X's engine lineup was pure Detroit iron. The 4.2i came with a 4.2-liter inline-6 engine with 290 horsepower (275 hp for 2005). The 5.3i had a 300-hp 5.3 V8 with considerably more torque than the 4.2-liter. The Aero got a 6.0-liter V8 good for 390 hp and 395 pound-feet of torque. The only transmission available on the 9-7X was a four-speed automatic. All-wheel drive, a limited-slip differential, traction control and stability control (2006 and later) were standard.

Despite the different trim levels, all shared the bulk of standard equipment like side curtain airbags, leather upholstery, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a premium Bose stereo with six-CD changer, satellite radio and OnStar. The only major options for most of the 9-7X's run were a navigation system and a rear-seat entertainment system. The Aero had a performance-tuned chassis, 20-inch wheels and sport trim.

The fact that the 9-7X was not equipped with a turbocharged engine is one good clue that the vehicle wasn't a real Saab, and the layout of the interior was another. Despite some classic Saab features like the driver-canted dash, soft-touch knobs and center-console-mounted ignition, the interior still looked very GM.

The 9-7X seated five. Third-row seating, a feature common on vehicles in this class, wasn't available. There was plenty of cargo space, though, with 80 cubic feet when the rear seats were folded.

In reviews of the Saab 9-7X, we found that this SUV's positive attributes included a smooth ride and well-weighted steering. The Aero, in particular, offered a surprising level of performance. One strong criticism we had was regarding the four-speed automatic transmission, which couldn't match the efficiency or smoothness of the five- or six-speed transmissions in other luxury SUVs. Otherwise, our affection for the 9-7X was only slightly greater than that of its GM SUV platform mates -- which wasn't very high.

User Reviews:

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  9-7X Poor Handling in Snow/Ice - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By Jerry Clemens - September 13 - 7:40 pm

  Now having driven this 9-7x in two mild snow falls here in Reno I can say that the awd is not suitable for winter driving. The awd will not engage until over 20 mph and when driving 0-20mph you have No awd active and this suv goes where it wants when cornering or trying to start up and incline from a dead start. The 9-7X bucks and fishtails and ends up in about a 60 degree angle before if any help comes from the front wheels pulling. Stay with a true 4x4 with 4high, 4low on the fly option. I am returning mine under the "lemon law". Having spun out 6 times in a 14 mile loop to work. Not Safe At Any Speed in Winter. Also, No Tire Chains allowed per Saab,Usa/GM.

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  Aircraft engineers.. give me a break - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By yntny - April 27 - 4:16 pm

  I bought my Saab after waiting for a year. I thought it would be a great car. Was I wrong!. This car has been a bomb from the beginning. First my father was the project engineer on the F-14 from its inception So much for born from aircraft engineers.. he hates it. You should hear his comments. I bought it for its supposed sportiness, but I can get my 77 merc 280 sl convert to 80 without a glance and feel safe. This thing can barely hit 65 without me feeling like Im pushing a tank... and all at an avg. 11.5 a gallon. Oh and 14.3 mpg on a long haul hwy drive.

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  Run - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By Paul - June 13 - 7:06 am

  Best thing about my Saab is the extra 100,000 mile warrenty I purchased. Car has 48,000 miles on it. Without that extra warrenty I would easily be out about 5k by now. New accelerator, two new starters, two new windshield wiper pumps, new computer....there might be more...the past year is a bit of a blur to me at this point. Anyone want to buy a car?

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  aircraft engineers rolling in graves - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By JES - August 11 - 4:10 pm

  My father is one of the designers of the F-14 and is astounded when I tell him how badly this car performs.The jerk-feel when shifting gears.The ridiculous interior design with no space to put anything, the rear cargo space that does not lie flat with rear seats down. The terrible suspension, the inability to seal sound of air from inside car,the front bumper which popped off due to cheap plastic pins (bumpers cost min $1,250). The pulling out of alingment and told its normal. Blindspots, backing up you cant see a thing! Needs sensors. My Saab had water leak inside of it from rain. The dealer found out why in a release from one of many Saab does not give to owners. I waited for this car. What a waste!

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  Dont buy one - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By globaby - January 30 - 7:40 am

  Had numerous problems. New heater core, rattling in dash and severe wind noise they cant/wont fix. People keep telling me it looks like a trailblazer. I wont be buying another GM product.