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:

• 

  08 9-3 Aero Sportcombi XWD - Great car! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By simul8guy - November 17 - 12:36 pm

  Contrary to some of the criticisms in the Edmunds model review, this car is a great looking performer thats very satisfying to drive. Its amazing how quickly you get to 70 without pushing the go pedal very far. Great ride on the highway, this car is a cruiser! Ive been getting doubletakes in this car that Id never get in most of the other non-descript cookie cutter designs out there. The Sportcombi is very versatile without the typical station wagon look (I think it looks better than the sedan). With the incentives currently available on the 08 model this car should definitely be on your short list.

• 

  Solid Car - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By swinnie - November 17 - 2:00 am

  I had concerns when purchasing the vehicle that it may be under powered. i have been pleasantly suprised with the performance and extremely impressed with the gas mileage. Im averaging 28.5 miles to the gallon with an automatic model

• 

  Stands out in the crowd - 2011 Saab 9-4X
  By jxm0265 - November 11 - 4:37 pm

  Perfect for a family of four. Looks great, drives solid, stereo is fantastic - internal harddrive (no bluetooth though). Easy to get in and drive - features of those about 12 thousand more.

• 

  Great car, but beware of the cupholder! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Brendan Larson - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Like almost everyone else, I test drove A4s, BMW 3s, G35s, etc. and really didnt even consider the SAAB until I happened to pass a dealership and saw a 9-3 Vector. Great car, beautiful styling, good performance and fuel economy, but BE CAREFUL with the dash- mounted cup holder. I accidentally clipped it with my briefcase and it cost me $200 to get it fixed.

• 

  I really do like my 9-3 - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Eric - November 7 - 10:00 am

  I use the Saab as my 2nd car and just for commuting to an from work... and for that purpose it really works well. The gas mileage is good (low 20s) and the car is easy/fun to drive and weave through traffic in. I could have purchased a Civic or another comparable vehicle for what I paid for the Saab in 01 but there is no comparison and that was a very easy decision. You get a lot of value for the dollar (if buying used) and that is probably the most appealing thing about this car.

• 

  Not Worth it! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By llangone - November 4 - 3:36 pm

  I loved this car when I bought it. For the first 9 months it was great and a lot of fun to drive, then everything went down hill from there. The airbag malfunctioned and required replacement, pullies seized, the top has stopped working. The car looks great, but is not worth the headaches! My husband has sworn off Saabs for our family.

• 

  80% Fun, 20% Headache - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Marshall H - November 3 - 5:43 pm

  Excellence: Good looks without being flashy. Superb power delivery, very smooth for a small displacement turbo. So quiet inside you forget its a convertible, comfy seats. Acceptable: "premium" sound system is mediocre at best. Tires break free pretty easily when accelerating from a stop into a turn, but with FWD kind of expected. Unacceptable: Spotty build quality results in buttons and interior surfaces paint rubbing off. Electrical gremlins are a constant threat. Complexity of common tasks like resetting oil life monitor is way more difficult than it has to be. Saab-ness: Saab is often different just for difference sake. Like the "night panel" function.

• 

  I Really Like It - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By crwindy - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I replaced a Passat V6 GLX wagon with this used Saab. I couldnt be happier. The overall quality and solidity of this wagon makes the VW seem like an old minibus. The engine is so powerful and smooth; the ride so good and the handling is very good especially for a wagon. The interior is very comfortable and the seats are great. I get 30 MPG on the highway and 26-27 overall. This car is certainly worth a look. P.S. I have the 5 speed.

• 

  9-3 Linear Launch Pkg really shines - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By bond11 - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Bought a Laser Red Linear with Launch Package (17" wheels, CD Changer, Roof, Electric Seats, Auto), it is a beautiful car to look at when it nice and clean and with the 17" 5 spoke wheels it really looks sporty - great handling for reasonably priced car, upscale and euro looking interior, over 3500 miles on it so far no problems, minor rattle in the door which the dealer fixed right away, they installed the on-star a month after we took delivery and gave us 2 years free service, transaction was smooth and I pair 28K out the door We like the car just needs a little more HP Overall very pleased with our red hot 9-3

• 

  Great vehicle - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By jct - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Outstanding driving car and at the price unbeatable! Six speed is the way to go (very smooth shifting), great pickup and impressive passing zone.