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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  Great Sportswagon - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Photoguy - June 9 - 6:56 am

  I got the auto transmission Aero even though I heard that you need the manual Tranny to get good performance.(My wife doesnt like to drive manual transmissions) I have been pleasantly surprised with the performance with the auto- if your engine rpm is less than 3000 and you downshift to third gear before hitting the accelerator it will kick down to second gear and move out fast.Cornering and steering are exceptionally good on this car!

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  Functional, fast ,and fun Aero Wagon - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By rlatkin - June 7 - 10:00 am

  A fast sporty car that loves that loves the twisties while carrying two adults, two or three kids and their hockey bags.

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  Saab 9-5 wagon did not disappoint - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By deacane - June 7 - 9:10 am

  Purchased based upon Consumer Reports ratings. I wasnt crazy about the rims on the Arc, but I replaced them with 17-inch rims and Pirelli speed-rated tires, and the wagon is almost perfect. Great car, great performance (7.0 0-60), and 32.5 mpg on the highway. Whats not to love?

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  pleased - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By young family of 4 - June 7 - 4:20 am

  The car handles wells. We were averaging 32 mpg with a lot of highway driving. The headlight burnt out 3 times in less than 2 years. The passenger door does not always lock. The emblem on the hood fell off, as I have seen happen with many others. We have had to have the arm rest in the center console replaced as well as many of the interior parts because the cheap plastic coating rubs off. We ended up being "stuck" with this car because it has not held its value. Overall, we have enjoyed the vehicle but would have liked to trade it in for something that fits our 2 car seats better. A rear-facing car seat requires that the front seat is moved all the way forward.

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  Great Car - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Joel - June 5 - 8:56 pm

  I had a deposit on a pre-owned 2004 Volvo S60R and with the cash rebate ended up getting a 2007 60th Anniversary edition in Ice Blue Metallic for the same price. This is a great car for the money, it is a fun drive like everyone else says - very peppy and agile, also the six speed manual is very smooth. I am 63" and leg room is great, head room is just good enough as my hair sometime grazes the ceiling so if you are over 63 def make sure you have enough headroom with the sunroof. Overall extremely comfortable and very intuitive dash and stereo controls. I get many compliments on the cars lines and the spoiler on the 60th edition is a very nice touch.

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  Fun, Quick, Safe, Comfy Piece of Crap - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Purveyor of Vehicles - June 5 - 10:00 am

  So its very safe, very comfortable, very fun to drive, pretty quick and all around enjoyable car to drive. However, it was designed poorly and is unreliable and puts a permanent pipeline from your wallet to the mechanic.

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  Great Car! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By otto - June 4 - 1:56 pm

  I own a Saab 9-3 Aero XWD 6M. I have owned six BMWs. While BMWs handle more neutrally, the Saab makes more power for much less than a comparable BMW (328/335 xi). I would have to purchase a near fully loaded 335xi to get this much comfort, convenience, and performance at a cost of nearly $13k more. If you pay anywhere near sticker for these cars you are paying way too much. Wait for a GM year end sale. BMWs are priced nearer selling price. Still, I prefer the Saab regardless. BMWs I-drive, run flat tires, and depreciation (net loss) were the final straw with me. I want a car that is fun to drive up to 9/10th, and this Saab delivers. I do not plan on racing this Saab.

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  9-3 Saab 6 years later I still love it! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Heather Walker - June 4 - 12:26 pm

  I bought my Saab used, it was a certified Saab with 30k miles. I have driven it all over the east coast, from Wisconsin to FL. I also drive it everyday to work. Fun and reliable, what more can you ask for from a car?

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  Compromise - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Bob K - June 3 - 12:40 pm

  Lets face it, if you are only buying one car it is a series of compromises to get what best suits your needs. Sure you would like to have a M3 when you feel sporty and a 350 E Class for your date on Saturday night. Although the Saab 9-3 might not rate best in class for any one category it does well in a lot of them. I have had mine for about a month and am delighted with it in every detail. It is a dream on the highway cruising at just over 2,000 rpm in 6th gear, rolling beautifully and extremely quiet. I had a Saturn Aura prior to the Saab and find it worlds more enjoyable. I recommend using 93 octane as I get 27.5 overall. Could do better if you use restraint with the turbo.

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  Likes to visit its birth place often - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Not for long - June 1 - 2:00 am

  The first five months were great with only the On-star malifunctioning. I have recently experienced a dead battery, two oil leaks, static in the radio, sticking window, and transmssion issues. I am paying for a car that is at the dealership more than leaking in my driveway. Before you rate this car a "10" for reliability, drive it for 10000 miles. I hope you feel the same way. The best comment I can say is that it looks good in the dealerships lot when waiting for the next problem to be fixed.