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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  Score! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By yowz - July 3 - 3:16 pm

  Just bought a 2002 Volvo s60 2.4T about a month ago. Some lady totaled it for me by smashing into the passenger side. Was devastated until I found the Arc convertible. Went out and got this beauty and cannot believe how much of a better car it is! And I am paying about the same for a newer car with better handling, more horsepower and less mileage. Score.

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  I love a SAAB - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By dc2 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2000 Gary Fisher edition wagon about 3 months ago with 25,000 miles. This car was/is in fantastic shape. In 3 months I have put on 8700 miles and have fallen in love with this vehicle, and plan to keep it for atleast 200,000 miles. Will it last that long? I dont know this is my first SAAB, but so far Im hooked for life. I am dissappointed in the fuel ecnomy as in 3 months I have not gotton over 24 mpg, and I drive 98% highway, althouh I do have quite the lead foot! ALTHOUGH BEWARE OF CENTRAL SAAB IN NORWOOD, MASS!!!!

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  Viggen Convertible - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Squirelly - June 23 - 2:00 am

  Great car across the board. Excelelent performance on acceleration, handling, braking, and gas mileage. Great deal for high performance classy car with distinction. Not many Viggen owners with less people familair with them which offers exclusivity.

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  Saab 9-5 SE 6 cylinder - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By SEELOS - June 21 - 10:00 am

  Having owed only SAABs for the last 10 years, we have seen the good and the bad. This 2001 9-5 SE with heated and ventilated seats is the best so far.The turbo performance has great acceleration, especially in the sport mode. The ventilated seats are great when the weather is hot and have to be turned down because one starts to get the chills. In winter, the heated heats are almost always on. When my wife drives our 2000 9-3 SE SAAB she never turns the heated seats off. The only thing that could be better could be the legroom in the rear seats. .

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  just bought new SAAB 9-5 with 1,600 mile on it - 2011 Saab 9-5
  By amigabuzz - June 19 - 10:47 am

  Started looking at the 9-3s which are similar to our Lexus IS250.. note we have 2 small children and the lexus IS 250 is void of a back seat. 9-3 has fairly roomy back seat, but curious jumped in a 9-5 and wow huge. So tests drove 4 models the 2 aeros with the six cyl and 2 4cyl different dealers and some negotiations now own a 9-5 4cyl. Wow its easy to get the 100mph (waite no police read these - they get company cars) and not know it. Only gripe is the lack of DVD options for the back seat..have to go second party and the coin bin needs better fit, but hey the bin is a below my knees who looks down there.

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  Saab Owner - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Jen80917 - June 18 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best car I have ever owned. It is great to drive and is very dependable.

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  Remarkable Balance - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Slee_Stack - June 15 - 7:46 am

  Although Ive only owned my Aero for just over two months, Ive had some good experience with what this car excels at and what may be trouble spots. With all its gadgetry, Ive already had my share of glitches, most notably poor performing rain-sensing wipers, a result of a poor sensor. Various electrical gremlins also pop up on occasion, but are mild irritants at worst. The 9-5 in Aero guise is a great looking and oddly rare car in the sea of Bimmers, Lexii, and Benz that swarm the roads of Atlanta. While in no way a neck-snapper, the Aero has plenty enough zip to best most sporty sedans on the road. Where it truly dazzles is doing this and still returning 30mpg on the highway

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  SAAB most underated car - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By John M - June 14 - 4:50 pm

  This is an excellent car. Great build quality, styling, handling and performance. very underated car. This car is a blast to drive If anyone is thinking of an Asian import you need to test drive this vehicle.

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  More fun than should be legal - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Rocklin Ed - June 12 - 10:00 am

  Saab 9.5 Aero: The road handling is superb with the 17" wheels and the Pirelli wide tires. The feeling is total and effortless control, especially on winding Sierra mountain roads. Braking has perfect feel. Ventilated seats are a great plus in Sacramento summer heat. Seats fit like a glove. I test drove BMW 525 and Mercedes C sport coupe and the Saab beats them both. What understeer? Turbo lag is there, but Im not drag racing, and when you kick it to merge or manuever on the highway it snaps nicely. Before you buy a sport sedan, drive an Aero.

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  Have had great experience with this car - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Chuck - June 4 - 12:13 pm

  The car is very safe, and drives like a dream, with mileage like a little Honda and performance that is out of this world. I could not be more happy with it! I think it is a shame that more people are not aware of what a great car this is for the money.