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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  Love the Arc - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By DoctorV3774 - February 27 - 11:53 pm

  Just picked up my Arc on June 16. It is fantastic. Ride is terrific, great sound system and lots of features standard. With the GM Employee Discount it is a steal!!!!

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  Love My Saab 9-7x - 2008 Saab 9-7X
  By J. Johnson - February 19 - 5:46 pm

  Home run, its a great SUV! The interior is very quiet and the Bose system is excellent. The ride is smooth and the vehicle hugs the road/curves with stability and comfort. I love the styling - understated but elegant! The seats are very comfortable and I really enjoy driving this vehicle.

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  9-7x - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By susan - February 10 - 1:10 pm

  I am over 6 ft and this car fits my style perfectly, head room, leg room great. I had considered the Mercedes SUV but glad I changed my mind and thought about the Saab ingenuity. Love the way it drives and handles. It is a statement SUV despite the connection with GM.

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  like riding in a cloud - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By Sam Fruia - January 16 - 12:33 am

  Fun, attractive, solid. I love this car, the car may not be the most fuel efficient but I do not mind the milage cost I just love driving and being in it, p.s. the xm radio does not hut the confort eather.

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  "Garage Queen" - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By lycklig - August 28 - 5:28 pm

  I have owned, and loved, 3 previous SAABs, but this one is a major disappointment. I purchased this so that the tall men in my life would no longer have to leave their knees at home when we go on a trip. The space is great and comfy, DVD and multi-CD players are sweet, and the on-board air-compressor is a great asset. BUT, it is sluggish when going uphill (diesel-pushers cruise past us), has had multiple major issues, and spends more time in the dealership garage than on the road with me. Gas mileage is about the same as my Suburban. This 9-7X has cost me so much time and money. I can hardly wait to trade it in!

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  A Sexy Beast! - 2008 Saab 9-7X
  By SvenBanginshea - August 25 - 9:20 pm

  What a sexy beast! The 9-7x Aero is a rare classic that was doomed by the poor timing of >$3.50/g gas. Their loss in sales is my gain in rarity. I have owned many exclusive, classic and modern sports cars, but never have I received so many admiring second- looks and seen so much drool from jaw dropping performance envy. Blows away all other SUVs except for fools that paid well over 2x as much for the turbo pepper S. And did I mention that the exterior is second to none! I have never stated this but, "Good Work, GM"!

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  Get one if you can - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By Steve - July 21 - 6:26 pm

  Our 97-x replaced a leased Honda Pilot. We werent sure at that time whether we had made a good decision... but after a few weeks it was apparent that we got a lot of SUV for the money. Three kids (two in booster seats) fit easily into the rear seat, and there is at least as much storage room behind the seat as the Pilot (maybe even more). The front seats are very comfortable and we really like the dual climate control, since my wife is always cold and Im always warm! The 18 inch tires provide a very smooth ride. We bought is used at a great saving from the original price and so far it has been worth every cent. I would recommend this SUV.