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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  My Favorite Car Yet! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Joey Salemi - March 19 - 2:00 am

  I recentley bought my 2004 Saab 9-3 Cabriolet! I have always had Saab Convertibles. I am now 25, and got my license when I was 16 so, as you can see, I have had quite a few. This one, is my favorite one yet! I love the ride, room, and design. I love watching the top go up/down. It is quick & quiet. It is fun to frive around with the top down cruisin round town!

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  We Cleaned Out the Garage for Our Saab - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By mkgw824 - March 19 - 2:00 am

  Who knew a Saab could be so fun to drive? Although we have had our Saab only a month, I can attest that we are extremely pleased with our purchase. I love the design of the car (I really did not before this body style). Gas mileage has been great, and the trunk is gigantic. I am sold on Saab.

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  Love it! - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By dlflyboy - March 19 - 1:03 am

  I actually have a 2003 9-5 Aero. I have put between 16000-17000 miles on it. I bought it new in May of 2003. I havent had any problems with it other than taking it into dealer for service to have a flood light (light bulb went out) in the door replaced. I have a manual. And since I do more driving in the city I wish I had gotten the auto.

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  Not a perfect car but fun to drive - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By dd - March 16 - 3:06 pm

  Bought it with some warranty still in effect. Good thing, needed a whole new heating system and a turbo almost immediately. But looks great, drives very well and doesnt drink a lot of gas! Best part is driving curvy hills - sticks to the road like a sports car. And I do that almost every day to get to work.

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  SAAB Certified 9-5se Wagon - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By strentky - March 14 - 10:00 am

  My Wife and I purchased this untitled, program car with 7000 miles and have driven it to 55,000 (mostly) trouble free miles. Saab has provided excellent service and this has kept us coming back to them for regular maintenance items and oil changes. I believe that this car will indeed last well beyond the 100,000 mile, 7yr. warranty that is provided as part of the certification process. The two things that have given us problems are the Trip Computer (which will fail in any 9-5 eventually), and the transmission linkage. Both were replaced under warranty (no charge).

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  Yahoo a Saabaru - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By b9e - March 13 - 3:13 am

  Subaru and Saab are very similar companies. Both trace thier heritage to Airplanes, both make extensive use of Turbo charging, and both are, well, a little quirky. Not quite luxury brands, but a step above thier VW/Toyota breathren. Saab has been known for hatchbacks, which, following the introduction of the 93 sport sedan, disappeared from the lineup. Enter the 92x. Basically a reskined Subie Impreza/Wrx, with some cabin quieting. The exterior looks more saab-like than the swedish made 93 sedan. And with the GM discount, its cheaper than the Subaru. Like the Impreza, this car handles great, but fuel consumption suffers (the much larger 93 gets better mpgs).

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  Bad experience - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By automobile - March 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is fallaing apart.Since I had it,I started to have all kind of problems. Ready to sell it!!!!!

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  Excellence - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By tank96 - March 10 - 8:33 pm

  This is the best car that I can think of. Has styling elements of a BMW without the cost. It can hold its own against V6 competitors while saving gas with a V4. This is my first car that I bought and am very pleased with what I got. I am in college and was still able to pay for it in cash. I have the nicest looking car of anyone I know. Saab is easily the best value car on the market. I can compete with other sports cars and save gas. I got 28MPG when I first started out while driving Very aggressively the whole time. The interior is spacious enough to fit larger people (Im 63")and is very well designed. Saab does its job making you feel like youre in an airplane cockpit. Comfortable car!

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  Good SUV - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By L8R - March 9 - 8:33 pm

  Bought it cert pre-owned w 36k miles on it. Drove it from Florida to Alaska through Yukon without one hitch. V8 is sharp, powerful, easily passes 18 wheelers on 2 lane roads. Steering is very nimble for an SUV, but a little numb (prob GM-based). Makes u-turns as well as my sport car (in 2 and half lanes). Interior provides nearly every feature a Mercedes SUV does. Good interior size and rear seats fold down for carrying bigger stuff. Performs better than most cars in the snow and ice (use studded snow tires!) due to its immense weight, but the engine doesnt make it feel heavy. 1 and 2 gear perform very well without over revving. Heated seats burn my back! (Good thing w -25 F temp).

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  More bang for your buck - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Alexander - March 8 - 11:10 am

  After one year I still in love with this car. Quick,stylish,secure and handsome. The only thing that bothers me. The navigation system is available now and last year that was not an option.