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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  wow, a piece of dirt - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Stephanie - April 16 - 7:30 am

  Ive had my Saab for one year, and I am already replacing the transmission. This is not the first thing that has gone wrong. I have also experienced the headlights going out multiple times, hub bearing replacement, among other things. DO NOT buy this Saab. It is a piece of dirt.

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  The car to buy - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By saabdog - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I have test driven the acura tl, bmw 3 series, infiniti g35 no room in this car, and I traded my problem riddled mercedes 320 to buy a real car. I feel this is the best looking car on the market for the price and you get the performance to go along with it. The interior of the car is very modern looking and very ergornomically friendly. I freguently go on long road trips and this is by far the most comfortable car I have ever driven. I dont even need to say this but the safety is unmatched by any other car manufacturer including the parent company GM.

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  Finally Did It - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Satisfied Customer - April 13 - 11:06 am

  I hesitated to spend so much money for this car but my dealer made it easy with a great lease and, of course, the GM Discount. This car is much better than my old 9-3 even without the hatch back. I dont even miss it. My new Arc has a quality look and feel and power when I need it. And it is a head turner with its Chili Red metallic paint, parchment interior and the 17" wheel option. I should have done this sooner. I look for any excuse to get out and drive it.

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  Finally, a car worth the price..... - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By mac750 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Got the Aero with all options. I finally can say this is the most fun car to drive and I feel like a kid again. The attention to detail and European styling are superb. Luxury and fun in the same package...who would have thought!

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  Whose a Snaab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Intermedx - April 12 - 2:00 am

  While I generally like my Saab and believe there have been significant improvements in performance and reliability, there stiil seems to be a lack of attention to the uality of the little things. FOr example, headlights routinely burn out. I know this is not just my car as I have seen several other 9-5s with the one-eyed stare. Additionally, the plastic covers for the rear center tail light and the overhead light both broke over the course of three years. The car is extremely confortable and in the Sport mode is a total kick to drive. The key to happy sport driving is to keep the revs up a little to avoid the classic Saab turbo lag.

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  Great Used Value - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By hal9000 - April 8 - 1:43 am

  I think 04-05 Saab 9-5s are one of the best kept secrets on the used market.The resale value of GM era Saabs stinks. Bad if you want to buy a used one and sell it in two years. Great if you want a terrific content filled bargain you can drive for years. All the early bugs have been worked out. You get a vehicle that ranks tops in safety. Speed if you want it. Fuel efficiency if you want it. Plenty of passenger and cargo room. Very smooth ride(even with my Aero suspension). I also prefer the body style of the 04-05 vs. the 06. Dont be scared of the Saab stories you here from people. Most are probably from 9-3 owners and those are a very different vehicle than the 9-5.

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  Fun to drive - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Dan Schilling - April 8 - 1:36 am

  This is a great car! Plenty of power and it sips gas. The rear seat is one of only a few cars that has a comfortable seating position. What more could you want from a sport sedan.

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  FUN TO DRIVE - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By IN SOO KIM - April 6 - 10:00 am

  I purchased the car for the unique design and sporty stylish.

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  outstanding! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By loanplanet - April 6 - 10:00 am

  With so few Vectors in the Washington DC area, I feel very lucky to have gotten one. After test driving the sea of competition (audi, 04 maxima, G35) this was the car for me. Great handling, performance, acceleration, and design. I get lots of looks and complements on my car. The interior is well thought out, the seats are remarkably comfortable, all the gauges are easy to read, and the "driver settings" for heat, air, etc are great and the xenons are a must have!! Drive one and youll be sold! Ive got BMW owners drooling over this one!

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  Anything But a Saab Story - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Wicklund - April 6 - 7:50 am

  I went in search of a Saab 9-3 based on styling, reliability, and its impeccable safety record. I thought the car would be nice to drive, but was very surprised at how much fun it really was. I have to be careful, for it seems to really want to move. Its comforting to know that I have the responsiveness and acceleration capability from a safety-through-avoidance standpoint.