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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  Great Deal - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By scottsdalebri - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd new Saab 9/5. I am still amazed at all of the options that are standard on this car for the price. Add at least $5k to any other cars in this class for the same thing.

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  Oh So Fast! - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By CBLaw - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I add my voice to the chorus of cheers! Although I was told the car was fast, I didnt really know until I drove it. Select the Sport mode and you are in a race car. It is a rocket! Had to buy a radar detector, Im always over 80! Hugs the curves and makes my commute a fast one. Its impressive appearance is also appreciated.

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  Check Engine Light etc... - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Aspen10s - July 30 - 10:00 am

  This car has been nothing but problems! Constant check engine light going on and no answers...needed a new alternator at 30k miles and the interior parts are cheaply made (and are constantly breaking). Very disappointing! Im going back to my Pathfinder!

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  2003 9-3 is a great car! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Paul in Boston - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I am very happy with the 2003 9-3. My first service kicked at 14,400 (most of my driving is highway). Have 15,700 miles after 7 months of ownership. The SID tripped once giving me a faulty gear box reading which I need to have the dealer reset, otherwise it has been 7 months of solid reliability and great driving. I highly recommend it.

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  Fabulous car - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By portland - July 28 - 4:40 pm

  We looked at just about every sport wagon on the market and the sportcombi was head and shoulders above the rest in performance, features, and safety. Its also one of the few with an available manual transmission (and a 6-speed to boot). We can even fit two kids and a new baby in the back seat. Weve only had the Saab for ten days but its easily our favorite car ever.

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  The other european - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Bill Anthony Resto - July 28 - 10:00 am

  Owned Audi, Infiniti, Mitsubishi and Ford cars, the Aero has the right amount of quirkiness. Love the cars profile and manners. Very good reliability. Always wanted to have one and after almost one year of ownership do not regret the decision.

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  Fun to drive no fun on your wallet - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Kabir - July 26 - 7:36 am

  Owning my Viggen was like being addicted to a drug. You know its bad but you cant get rid of it. It was the most fun to drive car I ever owned. Ive had an older Porsche and many BMWs but the Saab blew them away when it came to fun. I had to replace the engine at 120,000km ($8000repair bill) then a piston went 5 months later. My dad had a 9-5 at the same time and had nothing but trouble also. Stay away from these cars GM ruined them. If you want a Saab look for a pre 1991 model thats when they were reliable. On a positive my Viggen got AMAZING fuel economy for a turbo car. I once got 1012 km on one tank of gas on a road trip.

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  NICE car - in love, no plans to ever sell her - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By jonnyb433 - July 25 - 11:27 am

  Bought new, 60th anniversary, ice blue met, roof rack & spoiler, 17" wheels, automatic, anniv leather. Now just over 50k miles on her (in storage for a while), never happier with her. She has plenty of power, gets decent mileage 23-24 mpg ave. Repl some bulbs (not incredibly easy to replace) and change oil ($100 or so once per year, mobil1 synth), thats really about it. Only maintenance weve had was a set of rear brakes & rotors - pads burned straight through at about 20k miles, warranty refused, generally pretty pissed about that cause theres no way rears should wear that fast! My second Saab, and just bought the third, a low-mileage 2011 9-5.

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  SAAB Wagon - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By walker - July 24 - 2:00 am

  We traded our Volvo V70 wagon after too many service trips to count for annoying things (windows that wouldnt work, door locks that were stuck, back latch not working properly...etc). After driving the SAAB wagon we wondered why we even considered a Volvo! The handling and pickup is in a league of its own, the gas milage makes our old Volvo look like a pickup truck!

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  Great car... BUT - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By MJM - July 24 - 12:03 am

  Have had this car about 4 months and have been mostly pleased. Great mileage... about 35 hwy. Good power, nimble handling and comfortable ride/seating. Controls required me reading the book for an hour to fully figure them out. Easy access for the 2 car seats and ample cargo area. We are struck though by minor complaints re:cup holders. 2 separate and peculiar locations, when it appears only some small engineering changes could ve made these much more user friendly. Limited console storage area as well. Overall a great car w/a few minor convenience issues.