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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  Steath superstar Saab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By another_SAABer - July 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive had a the 900 V6, the 900 turbo and an earlier 9-5 2.3t. The Aero is a remarkable evolution of the car and just about anything I had wished were a bit better in the 2000 9-5 I owned, has been addressed. Its handling is crisp, the powerband stunning (but watch out how silently that speed can build)and the comfort as good as it gets. Also striking is the even better build quality on this one. It feels like it was carved out of a single piece of steel.

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  Stalwart - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By bcollier - July 18 - 2:26 pm

  After 8 largely trouble-free years I felt its time to give this car its due on Edmunds. Its best features are the fun factor - great responsive motor and handling, classic styling (the newer cars have become too homogeneous), and reliability which is surprising for Saab. There have been a couple costly part replacements, but over time thats to be expected. Its certainly been more reliable than our 05 Toyota Sequoia. After 8 yrs my eyes have begun to wander to possible replacements (e.g., M3), but the Saab keeps running strong, and if I "traded up" I suspect Id miss the Saab more than Id like the newer car.

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  Another Saab - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Trevor - July 17 - 8:40 am

  This is the second Saab Ive owned. Once you own one of these things you will never let go. Everyone who sits in it is blown away. Id take it in a heart beat over all of its competitors, 300c, Audi A4, Volvo s40, this car is way more fun to drive than anything else out there. Until my first time driving this car I had never seen a smile on someones face from driving, or riding in a car before. Now I grin every time I sit in my car, and so does everyone else, literally.

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  SAAB=FUN+QUALITY+STYLE - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Sam Jam - July 12 - 10:00 am

  the car that will never let you down...

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  Best Car Ive ever owned! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By boomer47 - July 10 - 5:46 pm

  I bought my Saab new in 2006 after quite a bit of due diligence and it has been best vehicle I have ever owned. It is fun to drive, economical, reliable, and very functional. Its great in the snow and the turbo gives it great acceleration.

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  9-5 Arc - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By tw - July 9 - 12:13 pm

  3rd Saab Ive owned. Initially loved it. Fun to drive, plenty of interior room, solid handling and quick. Saabs poor quality control has convinced me this is my last Saab however. Ive had numerous failures of the temperature gauge. the fuel gauge and missing pixels on the dashboard Saab information display (SID). Although it is just a display problem caused by poorly engineered wiring, to fix the problem you have to buy a whole new computer that costs hundreds of dollars.

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  truly a saab story - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By SaabStory - July 7 - 12:40 pm

  I purchased the Saab 93 used and let me tell you. When I first got the car, the first thing that happened, was the Engine light coming on. This car only had 21k miles by the way. Took it to a dealership. Had it looked at 6 times in 4 weeks. The interior plastics were fading and had to be replaced 3 times. The door handle faded. Transmission slipped shortly after 35k miles. Finally the transmission died at 60k miles. I maintained the car well. even though saab has the "lowest maintenance in its class". Which I feel personally was misleading. I had to pay for a oil change and other maintenance that was covered under Saabs "free scheduled maintenance plan". I wouldnt buy another Saab.

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  At 150,000 miles it still drives new! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Brian in MA - July 6 - 11:43 pm

  I bought this car in late 2005 with 13,000 miles from the dealership. Everybody gives the 2003 a bad wrap because it was new, but the thing is that all the software fixes are in place and it drives great! I like this style compared to the 2008 and newer and will probably search for a low mile 2005 when I sell this. For the meantime I expect to get 250,000 - 300,000 miles out of this car. It does not vibrate and drives new even at 150,000 miles. This car features the pre-GM stereo which gets a bad wrap because of no BASS, however I added an Infiniti Basslink to the system in the trunk (wired to my front door speaker for BASS) and now people who ride in my car says it sounds like a club)

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  The Perfect Performance Package - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By mrwarmth - July 6 - 2:00 am

  This has the driving dynamics of a hotrod, yet the sophistication of a premium sedan. The engine is a monster torque mill that moves the car along much faster than its 210 hp/torque rating would suggest. Best part is - there is no torque steer, yet the steering is responsive and sharp. The ride is a little knobbly on harsh surfaces, but never uncomfortable. The car is poised and secure even in extreme turns with bumps. It holds a line like a limpet. Brakes are fabulous - they are "right now" when you need them to be, but progressive and easy to modulate otherwise.

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  unique styling gets lots of looks - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By D Williams - July 5 - 11:26 pm

  I had to decide between the SAAB and a Mustang V6. Ill never look back. As rare as it is in advertising these days, SAAB has stumble onto a truth. I think its something like "Most people who drive one, buy one." I agree. After driving the SAAB I didnt even go back to the Ford dealer.