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 little commuter car - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By 9-2Xtra - December 19 - 11:03 pm

  I got this car to save on gas, but have fun while doing it. It is dead- on-target for me. I havent tested the AWD in snow yet, but you cant make it slip in the wet at all. Also, this car is closely related to Subaru Impreza/WRX, so performance modifications from mild to monstrous are readily possible - the parts are there. I really feel like I took 20 years off my age when I bought this car. It is that much fun to drive. The Linear doesnt require premium fuel like the Aero, either, so that tradeoff worked in my favor as well. If you can find one of these, you owe it to yourself to test-drive it.

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  Great Car for the Money - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By nbcmarine - December 19 - 10:00 am

  I started out looking for a brand new BMW. Someone suggested I check out the new 9-3, Im glad I did. Price wise its a great value compared to the Bimmer. Handsome all around, I was impressed by its Scandanavian attributes and performance. Do yourself a favor before you buy any car in that price range and check this one out. The car really is a great value when you consider that a Nissan Maxima or Honda Accord with similar option about the same as the Saab.

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  Cant stop driving.... - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By lbh - December 18 - 9:23 am

  I had a great car before - a 300HP V6 Infiniti - and this 210HP inline 4 is more fun. Pure excitement when the turbo kicks in as the power band is just awesome. Wait till you hit about 40 mph and then you will fly - much quicker to 80 mph than one would think! I LOVE the interior - not as Saab as the past - but still Saab, Swedish simplicity and minimalism. I admit to having a few rattles and the brakes emit a squeal in reverse. But my enjoyment of my 9-3 is pure.

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  Luxury & Reliability = Awesome - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By sizzlinturbo - December 13 - 10:00 am

  The 9-5 Arc has a 3.0. It doesnt exhibit turbo lag at low speeds. What it lacks in a sport suspension is made up for in superior ride comfort. You no longer have to feel every pot hole. For $38,000 you cant buy a roomier, faster, more functional mid-luxury vehicle. The 9-5Arc comes loaded with standard features that would be pricey options with any other maker. How many under $40,000 sedans do you know that come standard with heated and air conditioned front seats, assymetrical turbo and Harmon Kardon sound system? How many of them hold the worlds highest safety ratings? Let me know. Then we can talk about your 6.7 rating.

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  Saab s GO GO GO - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Rosco - December 13 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle corners very well, feels very well in the cockpit, and when the turbo kicks in . . . it goes fast enough to get to through the traffic holes. I never thought, I would ever drive this car, but after 1 drive . . . well I dont encourage my wife to drive this at all. Good job goes to the designers!

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  Mixed emotion - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By bobrunn - December 12 - 1:30 am

  I really enjoy driving and looking at my Saab. This is the 3rd Saab Ive had and they all have the same characteristics--fun to drive, very many safety features, great versatility, but many mechanical problems. I have 103,000 miles and Ive had to replace the brakes twice, replaced the head gasket, bad thermostat, computerized problems that I dont understand.

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  I love it - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By steve - December 9 - 11:53 pm

  It may not be fair to rate this car yet, as I just picked it up 3 days ago. So far, it is my favorite car ever. It is very sporty with quick pick-up. Sound system and interior design are excellent. I am surrounded by air-bags. No oil change for 15000 miles (or more) and other than tire rotation every 5000, all maintenance is covered including roadside assistance. Trunk space is excellent. I think I am a Saab owner for life.

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  Okay At First But Then...... - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By BeetleCraze - December 7 - 2:00 am

  When I first bought this car I did like it. I bought it used with just 11,000 miles. I just hit the 50,000 mile mark and I have dumped so much money into this car already. When it runs, its very nice to drive. The trouble is this car breaks down way too much. This is my first Saab and certainly my last. For a better vehicle, look to Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, or Audi. The Saab is not a good choice!

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  Fun and practical vehicle - 2007 Saab 9-5
  By Acura-man - December 3 - 12:40 am

  I traded in my 2007 Honda Pilot for this wagon in Jan 2010 - vehicle only had 15k miles on it. I havent been disappointed. Although I did lose a lot of room, this car is just so much more practical and convenient. It was a pain to load my bikes onto the SUV, but this roof-line is lower and easier to do; I also have a canoe (yeah, you dont see many Saab owners driving around with canoes!) - also much easier to load. The car is solid, fun to drive, and comes standard with so many features. I also have a 2007 Acura (and have always had Honda), so its a new experience to drive the Saab. Its extremely fast, great styling, and many of the features seem a-ha (like the dual sunshades).

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  Great Car - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Patrick - December 2 - 5:50 pm

  Traded in our 00 9-5. Very fun car to drive. We drove competitors and found the Saab to be the best car for the price.