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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  saab 9-3 nightmare car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Erik the great - May 17 - 10:00 am

  This car WILL NOT and DOES NOT work or drive well after 85000 miles.....its worth more in parts and pieces than it is put together. If saab really makes jet fighters..............theyre FALLING OUT OF THE SKY. This is by far the most unrelaible foriegn car available in the us market, notwithstanding Jaguar.

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  Piece of junk - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By tasnault1 - April 23 - 1:00 am

  worst car I ever owned, and I have owned pontiacs and chevys - had performance tires that didnt work in the snow, even an inch of snow! dealer would not let me trade the $250 performance tires for some regular ones...several flats, interior issues and goofy problems throughout the 1+ year of owning this car

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  Just O.K. - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Russ - April 6 - 11:26 am

  First of all Im a 21 year old college student. Its a black Aero with Cold & premium pkgs. I got this car myself its my 1st car and couldnt wait to get it. With the employee pricing it was hard to pass up. But to that I add I shouldve gotten the new "06" Civc this car feels very questionable in the quality department. Its very slow off the line you have to practically floor it at every light to get it going which cancelled out the fuel efficiency of the 4cyl that it has as opposed to the "06" v6 eclipse i wanted its the same MPG. The steering is said to be direct aka "Not enough power steering boost". I dont how Saab even thought this car would sell for 30k !!!

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  Sold a Lemon - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By ginman - March 31 - 2:23 am

  Had just under 28,000 miles on it. First time I drove it the windows would not work properly - had to replace the switch. Water pump went at 31,900 and the rear breaks were frozen -The dealer would not cut me any kind of break even though just out of waranty. Broke down just before xmas at 33,000 - would not start - was stranded - tow ($90) to dealer - bad ignition module ($745). Car has cost me over $2,000 in service/repair in 6 months. Dont buy this car.

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  Poor Quality although Sharp Exterior - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By carrot - January 23 - 10:00 am

  The car has been in the shop for more than 10 times in less than a year. The engine light is constantly on due to the poor quality of the electronic (e.g., computer)and mechnical design (e.g., brake). It has been the worst car I have ever driven. I will never ever even consider the SAAB brand when I look at any new cars in the future.

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  9-7X Poor Handling in Snow/Ice - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By Jerry Clemens - September 13 - 7:40 pm

  Now having driven this 9-7x in two mild snow falls here in Reno I can say that the awd is not suitable for winter driving. The awd will not engage until over 20 mph and when driving 0-20mph you have No awd active and this suv goes where it wants when cornering or trying to start up and incline from a dead start. The 9-7X bucks and fishtails and ends up in about a 60 degree angle before if any help comes from the front wheels pulling. Stay with a true 4x4 with 4high, 4low on the fly option. I am returning mine under the "lemon law". Having spun out 6 times in a 14 mile loop to work. Not Safe At Any Speed in Winter. Also, No Tire Chains allowed per Saab,Usa/GM.

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  Not impressed... - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By 92xsergio - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I thought that buying a new 9-2X would be better than my other choice the V50. Im starting to think the other way around especially since the interior quality isnt that great. The sun visors are slightly loose and the center armrest console is too. I still like the car, but theres better choices out there and too bad I had to find out the hard way.

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  Aircraft engineers.. give me a break - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By yntny - April 27 - 4:16 pm

  I bought my Saab after waiting for a year. I thought it would be a great car. Was I wrong!. This car has been a bomb from the beginning. First my father was the project engineer on the F-14 from its inception So much for born from aircraft engineers.. he hates it. You should hear his comments. I bought it for its supposed sportiness, but I can get my 77 merc 280 sl convert to 80 without a glance and feel safe. This thing can barely hit 65 without me feeling like Im pushing a tank... and all at an avg. 11.5 a gallon. Oh and 14.3 mpg on a long haul hwy drive.

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  Never again - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By sadsaab - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought a Saab after a drunk driver pushed me off the road in my old car and I did a rollover. I had a Subaru- which saved my life- but decided to go for an even safer car-according to reviews. HUGE MISTAKE! I have owned the car almost 9 months and I have had the car in for repair 7 times. I wait for 3 things to go wrong before bringing it inThey advertise having a loaner car avialable but even with 3 weeks notice no car. I am looking this month to trade it in. This is the WORST excuse for a car and the service is embarrassing. I wrote Saab USA and they basically told me buyer beware. Well, new potential buyer- BEWARE! Shame on you Saab.

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  A Total Disappointment! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Saabing weekly - March 23 - 12:40 pm

  I cant wait to get rid of this car. It has been a nightmare. Lets see... transmission, engine, and computer problems to name a few. Then theres the water leakage, cheap interior materials that break,defiant trunk lid, volume controls that dont work, and seat upholstry that comes off. What about the door locks that open on their own and the incompetent/hostile/indifferent dealer/corporate network? I am so regretful that I purchased this car. I cant believe that it is considered a luxury car. It clearly not in the same quality realm as its European neighbors.