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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  Too much GM -- really a SAAturn 9-3 - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Wiggy - September 24 - 10:00 am

  The SAAB 9-5 is a great car, while the more I live with the 9-3 the more disenchanted I become. The stereo is horrible, it sounds like it is from a Cavalier rental car, and for this reason alone I would NOT recommend this car!!!! This cheapness / poor quality is found throughout the interior, which has the cheap look and feel typical of GM products. Instead of feeling like Im driving a quality Euro car (as I did with the 9-5) I feel like the 9-3 is a glorified Saturn, or should I say SAAturn!

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  Me too - never again! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Bob OKeefe - September 24 - 1:26 am

  I helped my son purchase a used Saab in January 2007 and with each year the repair costs just keep coming. In September of 2007 the check engine light came on with a total cost of $545 to fix. In February 2008 a new radiator cost $721. In December 2008 it cost $903 for a new window regulator and new blower motor. In April 2009 a tow charge of $105 and an estimated repair cost of $900 to fix after the car simply stopped running on the highway. With the latest fix the total repairs bills are over $3000 in 2 years and 2 months. What a piece of junk!

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  Great SUV - 2008 Saab 9-7X
  By Nick Resetar - September 20 - 8:43 pm

  Awesome SUV. If you need a real SUV like I do for towing, you cant beat the 9-7x. The standard features blow away the competition. The handling is great. This is no more an exercise in badge engineering than Lexus it to Toyota or Honda to Acura etc. You really need to drive it and look at the standard features. 15k at least under the competition similarity equipped. Leased for .9% here in Canada. Great deal.

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  Like A Swedish Model! - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By Pharmadude - September 17 - 6:23 am

  Excellent handling and steering, very good brakes, high level of standard equipments, good fit and finish, tons of power (5.3 V8) acceptable gas mileage, free 3 years scheduled maintenance, 4 years bumper-to-bumper warranty

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  Good All-Around Sports Sedan - 2010 Saab 9-3
  By jbrockwell - September 12 - 10:13 pm

  Someone in review forum talking about future of the brand wrote that Saab should position itself as the $25K European sports sedan -- whether that is where the future is for Saab or not, I think it is a good way to position this model. It doesnt have a great interior compared to say an Audi A4 (my previous car), engine is not sublime, handling is OK (AWD helps considerably though I bought FWD version), brand cache is struggling and I will have to see on reliability. But after 2,000+ miles of driving, I have no major complaints. Its a good all around performer and if it doesnt quite excel in any obvious automotive review category, does enough to satisfy and bring the occasional smile.

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  Best Car I have ever owned...awesome - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Saab2001 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Great Car! It is the best car I have ever owwned. Trully awesome.

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  Sundays-only car - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By ej - September 9 - 9:03 pm

  Beautiful when youre single or dating, or married with no kids. Not a family car. Fun beyond belief to drive. However, way too many little annoying problems, rattling noises all over the interior after 25000 miles. Electrical problems day in and day out (radio, windows, sunroof, blinkers). In a few words: I regret buying this car and I do not recommend it. Dont forget, all NEW cars ride nice at the beginning but not all stay that way.

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  first Saab - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Keith - Michigan - September 6 - 2:00 am

  Had not intent to buy a Saab. Took the 95 for a ride and that was it. Very impressed with the smoothness of the performance of the turbo. Would recommend one to anyone.

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  My poor SAAB - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By tay - September 6 - 2:00 am

  My saab is the funnest car I have ever had. But there is a problem, it has been in the shop one out of every eight days ive had it.

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  I Love my Saab 9-5 - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Saab forever - September 1 - 5:23 pm

  This is my first "nice" car and I love the performance, comfort, and gas mileage I get (consistently 27-28 MPG). The Turbo engine is something I cant live without. Im looking forward to it handling the snow this winter!!!