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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  New SAAB owners 1 month review - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By stever817 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  This is a surprisingly good car. The man-transmission w/2t engine is very impressive. Getting after 2,000 miles,29.2mpg. The comfort level is high & base options are impressive, esspecially the 3 yrs scheduled maintenance and great Incentive and dealer that we worked with (Joe P). I compared it too: Passat TDI(ok car,w/nice options,Auto-stick is ok,driving in auto showed major Turbo lag though).No deal since most dealers in town were hard pressed to take $500 off sticker,Mercedes C320Sedan(option packages-over priced),Audi A4-no response from dealer via email,Mazada 6-boring ride to me,Acura TSX-only could get $500 off.

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  like riding in a cloud - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By Sam Fruia - January 16 - 12:33 am

  Fun, attractive, solid. I love this car, the car may not be the most fuel efficient but I do not mind the milage cost I just love driving and being in it, p.s. the xm radio does not hut the confort eather.

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  Saab 9-3 - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By C Tower - January 11 - 1:13 am

  After years of Japanese cars I decided to go for something different, I am so glad I did. The handling is so much tigher and exact. I love the manual feature of my automatic transmission, it gives me more control and it feels as if there is much more power than there really is.

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  2006 Saab 9-5 - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By flipper - January 7 - 10:50 pm

  I used to own 2 volvos, an 859 and a volvo v70 which died way before its time or so they say. I love my new saab. while not as well gadgeted inside, it is really sporty and fun to drive. Anyway the saab is fun to drive unlike any other wagon ive driven and is sporty looking too. I liked my car so much I bought a 9-3 convertible to go with it!

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  Great all-around car - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By homegirl - January 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive been driving my 9-3 for a year and a half, and must say its a great car. Fun to drive, reliable and has some really neat features.

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  Feel Safe -- Buy This Car - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By 1stTimeSaabOwner - January 3 - 10:00 am

  We wanted a crash-worthy vehicle for my wife to drive. The highways around here are packed with treacherous drivers. (Why didnt we get an SUV? Too big for my wife, a relatively inexperienced driver, and inconsistent with our philosophy and fuel economy wishes.) This is a perfect family car for us. Its pricey, but compared with other cars in its price class, it gives us what we need: safety, room, comfort. If you want a real performer, Im sure youll be happier with a BMW or Audi. You may read of turbo lag, and I can feel this especially in 2nd & 3rd gear.

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  Still Great at Two Years - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By tprettejohn - December 30 - 9:36 am

  No problems with this vehicle at the 2 year mark. This is my second 9-3 convertible, this time in a 5-speed. Gets about 32.5 mpg on the highway on a long trip. Turbo engine has great power for 2.0L 4 cyl. Front seats very comfortable.

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  Fun & Fast - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By David3d - December 29 - 10:00 am

  The Saab 9-5 Areo is a very fun car to own and drive. The car is flat out gorgeous to look at (midnight blue w/ tan interor) both inside and out. I still find myself admiring its styling. Driving is a blast, espeacially highway driving. The car has very good acceration on the freeway. The sport mode makes driving in tight rush hour traffic a blast. Quick acceleration to jump into gaps- it make the commute fun. The sound system rocks. But please dont buy one, I like having the only one, keep them rare. What is not to like? In my mind nothing.

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  Great Car from an New Company - 2011 Saab 9-5
  By gbytes - December 25 - 10:25 am

  I received my 2011 9-5 Laser Red Aero today. It is visually different from anything on the road and IMHO signals the beginning of a new era for Saab. I have been fortunate to own several high end Audi, BMW, and Mercedes automobiles. When shopping for a car this time I wanted something different from those (excellent) German vehicles. The 2011 9-5 is beautifully made and a very tasteful exercise in restraint. Having recently traded in my A8L it is nice to have a break from chrome and wood. The 9-5 feels very secure on the road and the 2.8L provides more than adequate performance. The pot holed B roads in New England do not break the cars composure even with the optional 19" wheels.

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  Really a Premium car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By kakaroto - December 23 - 10:00 am

  This car is excellent, a litle turbo lag, but if you control the foot, you can made amazing acelerations, is fun to drive, the driver seat is rigth, the stability is correct, the sensations is like a airplane without wings, you feel that you are drive a premium car.