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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  A cool wagon for young professionals - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By antrow - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I traded in an Acura 3.2 CL for my SAAB 9-5 Aero Sportwagon. I loved my Acura but needed to have a car that I could haul things in. Too many times I was stuck at the store trying to shove plants and furniture items into every corner of my Acura. The SAAB was the only wagon that I thought looked cool and felt small and sporty but still had the room I needed. I have had lots of positive comments from people both young and old regarding the cars looks. So far I can say the car has been trouble free. My only complaints are the lack of low-end power before the turbo kicks in and the lack of good cup holders. Other than that I am loving it.

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  Satisfying Ride - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By WCF - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I like the Saab the more I drive it. The suspension/engine combination is very responsive and the 5 speed is excellent. It is a great sport wagon.

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  FUN FUN FUN! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By DAN THE MAN - September 26 - 10:00 am

  WITH A FAMILY OF FOUR AND A BUDGET I HAD TO LIVE WITH, THERE WERENT ALL THAT MANY CHOICES. THE AUDI A4 I TEST HAD A ROUGH RIDE, THE SEBRING JUST DIDNT DO IT EITHER AND THE BMW WAS OVERPRICED. I TEST DROVE THE SAAB AND HAVE LOVED IT EVER SINCE. ITS NOT GOING TO BEAT ALOT OF CARS IN RACES, BUT THAT S NOT WHAT I BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR. ITS A FUN TO RIDE CAR. SMOOTH, EASY CONTROLS AND ENOUGH ROOM FOR FOUR. IF YOU CANT BUY THE DODGE VIPER CONVERTIBLE (MY DREAM CAR), WELL THEN THIS IS A GREAT FUN CAR.

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  2003 SAAB 9-3 - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By DaviDwight - September 26 - 10:00 am

  I just got the new 9-3 and I love it. It drives well, plenty of power, particularly at higher speeds. Theres a lag from a stand still, but its overcome quickly and then has plenty of response. Corners like a champ.

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  This is One Fun Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By ChristianSaab - September 26 - 10:00 am

  Im a first time Saab buyer, just bought the 9-3 Arc and love it. Test drove the MB C230 and a few others in this class, and the 9-3 is by far the tightest, quickest drive.

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  none - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By pius - September 26 - 10:00 am

  great car for the money with great fuel efficiency

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  Great Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By yeah - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is the ultimate car in my opinion. The Vector handles like no other automobile I tested. The looks are above and beyond any other in its class.

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  Great Car, do not forget the spare tire - 2010 Saab 9-5
  By Marcos - September 24 - 10:00 am

  So far so great. My third 95. Make sure you negotiate the spare tire before you purchase the car. I forgot to do so and now my dealer is trying to nail me for almost $600.00 for something that is not worth more than $250.00. Otherwise, much more impressive than earlier models.

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  First time Saab owner - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Sarah - September 24 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Saab, I am its 3rd owner and I bought it with 126k on it. Has a brand new turbo, drivers side heated seat does NOT work, I love it dont get me wrong so far so good, fingers crossed I dont rack up some hefty repair bills!

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  Make it more of a Saab! - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By mdnumber32 - September 22 - 7:16 pm

  I really like this car, and the fact that you dont see them all over the place, however, Saab did almost nothing to make it their own, which is really disappointing for a car company with so much personality. No problems so far after 6 months of ownership. Im just recently finding out that the heated seats get perfectly warm very fast, and I love that theyre paired with cloth upholstery. Ive gone through 4 cars in the past 2 years and this is certainly the most satisfying. The sound system is horrible, and the heat and air cant really be turned up to a very high max (important for super hot and cold days).