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:

• 

  Excellent Car! - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Buster - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car for the person who loves performance (to include high speed autobahn style driving) but also hates to hear their adult friends groan at being stuck in the back during a road trip. This car has great interior room and more trunk space than BMW. The engine is extreemly strong although if youre looking for a stoplight racer - get a Mustang. If your looking for a car that makes tight curves and highway miles a blast - this is it.

• 

  different is good! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By VINCENT - September 6 - 2:00 am

  The new 9-3 is the real deal, I test drove a Linear model and was pleased with the car. Its fun to drive and I just cant say enough about the interior! I love the look and feel of the interior. The only drawback from the Linear is its 175hp. it needs atleast 10-15hp more. It does not feel as fast as a 325i from BMW.

• 

  Very Quick 4 banger - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Greyaero - August 31 - 2:00 am

  This Aero 5 speed can run with the best of them. Can easily get 30 mpg on road trips. Different that the run of the mill sport sedan. The safety features are excellent, sa good as they get.

• 

  No Competition in SAFETY - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By MichaelG - August 31 - 2:00 am

  When spending this kind of money I like a car that I do not see everywhere which made me choose a SAAB. Have the 9-3 Vector on order in time for the summer, but have drove the arc edition with the same engine 210 turbo which was very impresive. Love the design interior and exterior, the gadgets like the tire pressure monitor. The new 9-3 might not be the best out there in the category with BMW and Audi but it is very close especially with that reaxes system. In the end what made me choose it was the safety, still a young guy so my life is a little more important than the performance of a crap, see everywhere, overated BMW or Audi.

• 

  Where have the hatchbacks gone? - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By mc - August 30 - 4:33 pm

  I bought this car to travel to bicycle races. I wanted something fast (turbo), with good economy (my car gets close about 30mpg highway), comfortable, and with ample interior space for two bikes. This car fit the bill. I was surprised by how reliable it has been. I bought it used in 2001, with 30K miles, the car now has 110K, and the only things Ive had to fix are the ignition and serpentine belt. Everything else has been pretty routine (like batteries). An excellent car -- and for some reason, BMW drivers try to drag race my wife when shes driving it .. and theyre surprised when the turbo gets going and she drops them. :)

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By AZ - August 30 - 1:10 pm

  Just drove to Long Island, NY from Michigan and it was great. Handling, driving performance - especially on curves was excellent, a fun car to drive. Gas mileage was 35 mpg.

• 

  Pleasantly Surprised - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By drewtoo88 - August 28 - 10:50 am

  Purchased a 2007 9-3 SportCombi 60th anniversary addition in Dec ’09 w/34K mi – now have 67k. Issues: two head lamps replaced for $25. Things to be aware of: Oil changes - 2.0t takes (6) quarts of synthetic oil only, so $100 every 6.5K miles will add up and it only takes premium gas. Gas mileage - City 21, Highway 27 = average around 23. Full tune up at 60K = $700 (dealer $1k).

• 

  Nice SUV - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By Chris - August 28 - 2:26 am

  This is a nice SUV, It looks great and handles like a car.

• 

  A great car - maybe - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Curtis - August 27 - 9:43 am

  Bought this with just over 50,000 miles on it last year. I always go for extended warranties and was surprised to learn that the dealer could upgrade to GM Certified status even though it had over 50,000 miles. This cost me an extra $2,000, but covers just about everything for 3 years. Turns out Ill probably need it. Been in the shop 8-10 times. Mostly electrical. Burned up center display, check engine light on a lot, replaced headlamp assembly, stability control failure, front bushings replaced, replaced outer door handles, replaced all peeling interior handles and parts, all done under warranty and with a Cadillac CTS loaner (free). Love the car, but after the warranty??

• 

  A Good Saab Story - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Kingkhan - August 26 - 10:43 am

  What a super vehicle! Saab somehow manages to smoothly combine practicality with performance. I challenge anyone to find another vehicle in the 9-3s price range with comparable performance and design features. Reb Brown at Saab of Thousand Oaks (California) provided us with superior service, as well as a straight-forward deal.