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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  No Swedish Meatball Here - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By jasdyer - October 27 - 10:00 am

  Our Saab 9-3t has far exceeded our expectations. We were looking upscale and wanted some practical returns for an impractical investment. The vehicle safety rating was an attraction and the styling has no apologies to make against the more widely purchased European sedans. The standard-output turbo is plenty,delivering impressive power at the merest punch of the accelerator. The cars handling systems are equal to the control task presented by the surge in power yet not so tight that you feel like you bought a go-kart with leather seats. If you want to say youve arrived but still have a few destinations in mind, you just might be ready for a Saab.

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  in love with my new saab - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By babymox - October 27 - 10:00 am

  i hate to get a new car, always disappointed - i am in love with this one. thanks saab

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  Talk about some bang for your buck - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Tim - October 27 - 5:06 am

  It started out with a 9-3 my mom bought! I feel in love with it. She decided to buy a 9-5 ARC and again i was in shock. I decided my first car was going to be a Saab 9-5SE. I bought this car and had a trouble free ride until my friend hit a cement wall at 73 MPH... The outside of my car was crushed but the cockpit was untouched. I walked away with a scratch and that only happend because I put my hand up in front of the airbag.. Ive tried volvos, BMWs, Mercedes There is just something about a Saab.. Once you love it you dont go back to any other make! When you want a safe/sporty car dont look further than a Saab

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  Deal of the Year! - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By spidaman - October 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Saab, and clearly the best so far. The Saab 9-5 2.3t Linear loaded with auto transmission and premium package for $339/month lease is a great value. The luxury plus performance plus safety and utility is unbelievable. Even though this is the "low-end" 9-5, the acceleration is brisk (in Sport mode), the handling is responsive, although not super-tight. A very comfortable ride for driver and passenger.

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  Best sporty Saab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Saab lover - October 25 - 10:00 am

  The Saab has an excellent warranty and also includes free scheduled maintenance. I love to take my friends for a ride and see their faces when they notice the acceleration on this 250 hp little rocket. Handling and ridde confort are superb.

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  Beauty meets power - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Zach Leighton - October 24 - 12:56 pm

  This car is fast, the sport button was always on for me, and you can tell when the turbo kicks in, giving you the rush of adrenaline. The interior is creamy and extremely comfortable, it is also the best looking wagon on the road. It is also the safest car on the road, I got hit at 60mph on the drivers side and nobody was even scratched! The only problem was the turbo not being cooled enough and breaking at around 70kmi.

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  Saab 9-5 - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By MEC - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car that is fun to drive

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  So much potential but alas !! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Dave - October 15 - 8:10 pm

  2002 9-3 SE auto hatch with 125K. Loads of power in a practical package - especially in Sport mode. Best drivers seat ever! Would be a keeper but for constant repairs (antenna mast; squeaky brakes; center exhaust pipe; shocks; CPS; alternator; etc etc) and premium gas! Thank goodness the new engine cassette was a recall! Too bad, I guess they were right when they said SAAB stands for Swedish Auto Always Broken. 2009 Mazda 6 or Accord will take the 9-3s place in the garage. Sushi for herring I guess.

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  I am a Fan So Far - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Bryan B - October 15 - 12:13 pm

  I love the look of this car, the wheels, the front grill, etc... with the black sport interior and the chrome style dash I think it is a great looking sporty car. Highway driving and parkway driving -- best I have ever driven. In and around town it is stiffer and you feel the potholes more than my wifes Arc wagon. Bottomline, I am very pleased so far.

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  06 SportsCombi - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Matt Severson - October 12 - 3:06 pm

  What a fun car to drive. Expecting our first baby and wanted safety first and foremost in a wagon. Tired of SUV. Considered the Volvo V70 and XC70 but didnt have the same "fun" quotient. We had a Saab 9-3 convertible before and had always been impressed by its torque at low RPMs. The 9-3 Sports Combi did not disappoint. We were hooked after the first drive. The redesign suspension makes handling superb. I love that it has full complement of airbags including curtain airbags. Gets good gas mileage, is fun and unique to drive. Would like to have gotten the 9-5 but its in desperate need of a redesign.