Overview & Reviews

Originally known as Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget (Svenska Aircraft Company), Saab is a Swedish company that began manufacturing automobiles in 1949. The company's early designs placed an emphasis on aerodynamics that is reflective of its history as an aircraft manufacturer.

The first production Saab, the 92, boasted a lower coefficient of drag than many modern cars. The 93, unveiled in 1955, was powered by a three-cylinder, 33-horsepower engine, and featured the distinctive fastback profile that made early Saabs among the most recognizable cars on the road. By the time the '50s drew to a close, Saab's lineup had grown to include the 95 wagon (capable of seating up to seven) and the 93 750 Gran Turismo, the automaker's first series-built sports car.

The marque started the '60s with the introduction of its successful Saab 96. With a production run of 20 years, this was the car that made Saab a recognized presence in the international market. The decade also saw the launch of the Saab Sport coupe. Scoring numerous wins on the rally circuit, the coupe marked Saab as a force to be reckoned with. The Sport's success on the track inspired a name change; it later came to be known as the Saab Monte Carlo 850. The Saab Sonett II sports car, with its body of fiberglass-reinforced plastic, also made its debut during the '60s, as did the Saab 99, which was the first Saab to feature the manufacturer's trademark wraparound windshield.

In 1973, Saab gave birth to the 99 Combi Coupe. The car came to define the Saab brand; with its hatchback and fold-down rear seat it offered remarkable utility. By the end of the decade, Saab had rolled out the 99 Turbo, which was a forerunner in harnessing turbo technology for use in production cars. The company also introduced the Saab 900, which held the distinction of being the first car to offer a cabin air filter.

During the 1980s, Saab cars (especially the Turbo models) gained American popularity as young urban professionals (yuppies) sought them out. The decade saw the launch of the 900 Turbo, the 900 Turbo Aero (the world's first car to offer a 16-valve turbo engine), the 900 convertible and the Saab 9000, a larger four-door car available in hatchback, and later on, sedan body styles.

In 1990, General Motors bought half of Saab's automotive division. The decade saw the launch of a revamped 900; the car offered a bevy of cutting-edge safety features, including three rear three-point seatbelts and rear side-impact protection. By the time the '90s drew to a close, Saab had also unveiled the 9-5, a larger, premium four-door sedan that essentially replaced the 9000. The 9-5 offered a host of new technologies such as ventilated seats. It was also the first to offer Saab's active head restraints, a system designed to prevent whiplash injuries.

By the 2000s, General Motors had bought the other half of Saab Automobile. Despite the brand's position on the leading edge of safety technology, Saab's popularity in the U.S. and around the world waned as its product portfolio grew increasingly stale and reliant on GM for parts, platforms and design. New models like the 9-2X and the 9-7X were based on platforms borrowed from other brands -- Subaru and Chevrolet, respectively. Meanwhile, the 9-5 soldiered on and the second-generation 9-3 ditched its quirky hatchback body style in favor of a mainstream sedan design. The hope was to make the 9-3 more appealing to American car buyers, but ultimately it only served to remove the car's unique personality.

In the midst of General Motors' financial difficulties and eventual bankruptcy, Saab was viewed as a disposable, troubled asset and essentially cast away. With the financial assistance of a European bank and the Swedish government, Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg intended to purchase Saab with the promise of restructuring the brand and keeping production within Sweden. That deal fell through when Koenigsegg changed its mind about becoming involved with such a troubled company. Another niche-market supercar company, Spyker Cars, pursued the purchase of Saab. But that venture eventually failed as well and ultimately, at the end of 2011, Saab went into "wind-down" mode, filing for bankruptcy. In other words, Saab's future is still very much in limbo.

User Reviews:

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  Mercedes to Saab - 2008 Saab 9-7X
  By JT from NC - December 23 - 10:30 pm

  Drove 9-7X from FL to NC and it handled beautifully. Not quite the E320 Mercedes ride but more than adequate. Great interior comfort and distinctive exterior. The Bose sound and the add ons to basic vehicle make for a nice package. Pricey and wish mileage was better 15-18/gal. Certainly didnt see many on the road so a unique. So far so good.

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  Great entry-level luxury - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By DB - December 18 - 9:56 pm

  This car has great response and power for day to day driving. On the highway it goes all the way from 35 to 90 quickly, smoothly, and fairly quietly. On the street it handles great and the ESP and ABS keep it safe. Driving this car in Salt Lake City during the winter felt secure, even in a midnight blizzard. I would rather be in this than in a pickup or SUV that might roll over. Interior is bare bones but nails all the little details. Once you get used to the major differences in control location, everything feels exactly right. Lots of room and very comfortable. The Senstronic shifter is very useful when going down a mountain.

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  Solid car - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By JAM - December 13 - 7:46 pm

  Ive owned my 9-5 for 3.5 years. Bought from a local coming off lease. Ive put approximately 90k miles on and am amazed at the mileage I get (mostly highway driving) I average 32- 34 highway depending on A/C needs. This car is quiet, comfortable, and somewhat fun to drive. It handles well but isnt a sportscar. It accelerates well especially in sport mode, but wont slap you in you seat. I bought a Maxima and it sits in the garage while I half heartedly attempt to sell this car - that should tell you something. The total package is well done if not overly exciting in any one area.

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  Good Car - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By SAAB - December 1 - 9:43 pm

  The Saab performs well and has a look that never dies. The only problem with it is that it had small problems like the radio blacking out and small things. They seem to be extremely forgiving with the cars good looks and performance.

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  Love this car. - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By rober in LA - November 26 - 10:40 am

  Ive had some problems with my top (replaced the motor after one week of owning the car) but this car by far is a blast to drive. When I drive out to Las Vegas from LA I can only tell you that I blow bast people like they are standing still.

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  It looks great - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Saabstory - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I want to like my 9-3. The greatest shortcoming in the car is its very very substandard structural integrity. To put it kindly, the car is "floppy" like a recently dead fish. When you are driving on smooth pavement in a straight line, the car feels great. Hit a bump, or take a twisty lane and you notice that the car doesnt feel like one piece. Go over rail road tracks and the car feels very loosely held together. Rattles abound, and electrical problems have plagued mine. That said, the engine is a 10 and the car is very thoughtful. Little things like how it remembers to use the rear wiper when you put it in reverse in the rain make a good impression.

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  I give up - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By 2-years Saab owner - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The car definately falls short in its structural regidity (convertible only). Therefore, you are bounced all over the place on bumpy roads - honestly I feel more comfortable riding my skies on bumps than the Saab convertible. Also the general interior setting becomes enoying very quickly. There is no cetral lock, and the romote car key only works from about three (3) feet of the car - funny you would find many of us Saab owners sticking the key to our chin to make the door open or lock from ten twenty feet of the car. Having said all of this, I am going to sell this car this spring and by another German or even a Japanese car.

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  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!

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  Not too happy with my convertible - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By atlantaowner - November 19 - 9:03 am

  I first bought a 93 Aero, it shook terribly, turned it back in and got a 93 Arc...this one shakes! In a loaner from the dealer and it shakes at 70 mph. My car has been in the shop for over a month just because of a simple (I thought) balancing job. But it turns out that it couldnt get fixed, so they had to replace all 4 tires! Not even a year after my 2nd purchse, I am already planning to trade in after summer. Do not buy a 93 convertible unless youre prepared for it to be in the shop time after time after time. Its in the shop for updates seems like every month. If you want a high maintenance car, this ones for you!

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  Loads For Your Money - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By dseyemd44 - November 16 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent vehicle which is fun to drive. There is no feature lacking in this car. While it may not be quite as quick as some of the other vehicles in its class, it is still plenty zippy. Forget about automatic in the Vector, get a stick. I have test driven most of the competitor vehicles and I feel that you get much more for your money with the Saab. This is a car for those who like the driving experience. If you want a fun vehicle to drive and you are not obsessed with impressing your friends and neighbors with a brand name, then Saab would be your choice.