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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  Certified Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By vtsnow - February 11 - 3:53 pm

  I have 88k on my certified 9-3. Performance and comfort has been good to very good. Gas mileage averages 33 on the highway!! Snow traction and safety on Vermont roads have been excellent. I am glad it is certified though. Problems every 3 months including various leaks, yellow warning lights and electrical. I would recomend but get the 100k warranty!!

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  saab2xaero - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By risacco - February 10 - 10:13 pm

  Terrific bargain at gm employee price. Fun to drive, steering is best of any car I have ever owned, all wheel drive means no front wheel spin or hop on hard acceleration. Awesome acceleration in 2nd gear when turbo spooled up. Hatchback is very useful. Like having a high performance car that looks tame.

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  900SE Turbo - 1996 Saab 900
  By onejohny - February 10 - 2:00 am

  This car is fast, confortable, fun to drive, can haul a lot, gets decent mileage, excellent on long trips. Excellent car in cold climates (heated seats) but make sure you put on winter tires. If you have to own one car that will do everything well this is it. This car will hit you with some high repair bills if youre not careful. Getting an extended waranty paid off on this car as the power seat and climate control both failed and were covered. If poperly maintained it is an excellent car, but dont expect the operating costs of a Honda.

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  Saab 2001 - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Phylclar - February 10 - 2:00 am

  Outstanding value for the price- all th efeatures of a luxury car with superior performance to boot.

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  Just misses being great - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By lasaabguy - February 5 - 10:00 am

  Excellent highway car with smooth ride and passing power. Manual is slow off the line around town. You are behind everyone else leaving the light as the turbo spools up, but a lot of power once you are rolling. Very comfortable seating and quiet at speed. Good room. Super build quality - zero problems in 2 years.

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  Great car!! - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By dlflyboy - February 5 - 10:00 am

  I just picked up my Aero, Ive been looking at these for some time now and finally decided to get one (reluctant to go back to a car from my SUV). I have everything but the auto trans and vented seats (too noisy). So, far Im very pleased with the ride and handling. What a joy to drive and great gas mileage.

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  Saab 2.0T, the new sports car for N.E. - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By SAABSNOB - January 31 - 10:00 am

  The new Saab 2.0T eats the road. In New England, we need a car that can handle the in-climate weather, narrow roads and steep hills. FWD or AWD vehicles are a necessity. So, buying a "sport" vehicle is a really tough choice. RWD is what "sport" is all about, right? No longer. Curves, hills, rain - forget it. The 6M tranny is smooth and accurate. FAST. Do the research and drive the cars - BMW 3, AUDI A4, INFINITY G35 - the Saab Arc (or Vector) is the best ride/bang for the buck.

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  saab is great - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Steve - January 30 - 1:36 am

  Love to drive, fight over it with the wife

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  SAVE YOUR MONEY, DONT BUY A SAAB - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bwmusicboy - January 29 - 11:40 pm

  I have many cars within the 11 years of driving. I had heard for a long time that Saabs were fairly good cars. I waited on my Saab to be shipped from Sweden for 60 days, it was a special order. I have had that car in the shop 32 times in less than a year. The brakes were horrible from the day I picked it up! Ive had consistant problems with the door lock system. Different random doors will just unlock at different occasions. I will lock it in the huge parking garage at night and come down some mornings and all 4 will be unlocked. It will die going down the hwy., the horn will go off while driving, the O2 sensor hesitates and hangs which has caused the car to not accelerate.

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  Been lucky - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By ron - January 24 - 1:00 pm

  Been in for non-scheduled visits twice in two years. both incidents were releated to non-serious computer malfunctions. The dealer has done more than one could expect. For the size of the engine, power and mileage are better than expected. Car is smooth but noisy. Interior ergonomics very easy to get used to. Almost bought a new A3 but realized what I have.