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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  What a scam - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By mike03870 - December 3 - 10:00 am

  i have owned a dozen cars ranging from hondas to BMWs and this is the worst piece, least reliable piece of dung I have had the displeasure of owning. The dealer, Gray Blake SAAB in Exeter, NH has been beyond terrific. Very helpful, straightforward and polite. The car is a different story. Within the first 30k miles, the car completely ran out of oil TWICE. I drove this heap for up to 20k miles with NO OIL before the indicator came on. The most frustatrating part of the ordeal has been SAABs absolute refusal at a corporate level to acknowledge this or rectify it. Just Crazy. Stay clear.

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  More unique than a BMW - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Cully - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Look like a BMW, handles almost as well but you wont seen another at the stop light.

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  9500 Exciting Miles - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Jwbania - December 3 - 10:00 am

  Very nice car! Quite a looker both inside and out. Turns heads and gets comments. Great Factory wheels on the Aero! Turbo is fantastic for passing and handling is probably as good as it gets for a front wheel drive factory car. Hand to take it in once for a faulty air valve, but was a minor problem.

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  Stay away!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By psaul - November 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchase 99 conv w/50K miles. spent $4500 replacing coil pack, conv top pistons, water pump and trip computer. Requested "good will" assistance from Saab and denied because 12 months our of warrentee. Internet forums indicate quality problems with Top and Trip computer and coil pack. Please stay away.

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  Great car - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By kilo - November 27 - 6:06 pm

  30+ mpg, smooth ride, plenty of power, great visibility, loaded with features, zero repairs over 1 year ownsership. Tons of room to haul anything both in car and on top. We drive this car on 17 hr trips to Michigan - seats very comfortable. Dont think a better wagon for the money exists on the market.

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  Dont Buy This Car - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By ivanrothschild - November 25 - 12:03 am

  Got a great deal on it used. It was fun at first, the turbo was a blast. Ventilated seats, neat dash controls, but it started falling apart. Car alarm would go off randomly in the night when temperatures dropped. It burned oil. Was expensive to fix and never was able to fix it. Oil bled into the brake lines. Blue smoke everytime I started it. Finally had to pawn it off to a dealer as a trade-in. LEMON. I loved the features of the car and still miss certain things about it, but it was unreliable and just downright embarrassing with the clouds of blue smoke I left in parking lots.

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  MY 99 9-5 - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By thausner - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Saab. Being a very satisfied owner of a 9000 CD (it was really an excellent, great performance car) I decided to purchase a new MY99 9-5 2.3 LPT. Even today, with more than 50k miles on it, I do not regret my decision. The car is very comfortable (way above the 9000 standard), very reliable, economical and still fun to drive. I also suppose that the safety standard is excellent but hope not to test this trait ever. My next car will be a Saab again. Unless GM makes a main stream car out of it (aka the German Opel) which could happen if they continue to prefer watching the financial aspects of Saab too closely.

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  Solid, fun, luxurious... great value - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Rodrigo - November 24 - 2:00 am

  This is my third saab... and I do the test drives of all the cars on my price range every time my lease comes up. I have yet to be lured to other brands (american or foreign). Cheaper than BMWs, Mercedez, etc... and a lot classier than Buick, olds, etc...

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  A fine car - overlooked by consumers and reviewers alike - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By carter63 - November 23 - 4:49 am

  Im 59" / 160lbs, btw I owned a 99 SAAB 9-3 for 11 years and replaced w/ this car. Tho a SAAB owner, I wasnt very impressed with the prior 9-3...this one is better. Seats B: Prior 9-3 was an A+ perfect Handling B/A: I love the light steering touch, but the sport suspension is jouncy. Revised new rating with addition of Bilstein HD dampers & 3pt undercarriage brace. Interior A: Old school SAAB charm Exterior A: Outstanding Hauling B+: Good use of space for gear Mileage C: City - 17mpg / Hwy 26.4 (w/500lbs of occupants & luggage: 500mi journey on I5 in California; 60 degree weather, traveling 72mph on cruise) Brakes B: They work, but have GM spongy feel with pulsing ABS at work

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  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.