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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  Happy 2nd Saab driver - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By QWK SWD from Md - May 11 - 3:36 am

  "Smooth" is how my 26 yr. old son describes the drive. Excellent metallic paint, even after 5 yrs. Interior stylish yet reserved, high quality but a bit snug for 4 on board. 31mpg on the highway. Distinctive; you dont get lost among the Japanese nameplates on the road. Well built, very reliable. It doesnt break. An 06 9-5 next?

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  Wish I never sold it ): - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By alessing - May 11 - 12:47 am

  Great car, good on gas, good for young teens, traded in for Hummer H2. Wish I never did!

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  Practical - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By BOOGEX - May 8 - 4:53 pm

  I bought this car for the combination of practical features- safe, good fuel economy, AWD, decent performance, reliability. Overall, I like it, but Im not sure if Id do it all over again. Im 62" and find the car to be extremely uncomfortable on longer trips. Its also a tight squeeze as a family car- if you have child seats, they dont fit easily. Its also not an easy drive in heavy traffic- I have a manual trans. and the shifting is kind of a pain compared to other manuals Ive driven. Id go with an automatic over a manual if I were buying again. The few flaws aside, its a fun car to drive for the money.

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  Swedish Meatball - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Wmstrahan - April 17 - 4:00 pm

  Great car until many things begin to go wrong. The car is constantly throwing up trouble lights and things are breaking. Will never buy another Saab (we have two 9-5s) but I hope my friends do so I can ride in them.

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  Work horse - 1996 Saab 900
  By lou - March 19 - 5:23 pm

  I have purchased this car from a private seller in Feb of 2008 for 2400.00, had 150000 miles on it, all I can say is this was the best used car I ever bought, I fill the tank and get about 425 miles at about 15 gallons, do the math, great on gas. I drive to work 75 miles round trip and the only thing I need to replace is the tires. My friends always say the car is so quiet when I idle at a red light. I am on the market for another one for my son.

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  2003 Linear - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Mike Schurr - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I have owned every car imaginable from BMWs to VWs and have never before owned a Saab. I was drawn to the cars looks and ammenities. The overall performance is better than expected from a 175 hp turbo 4 cyl and handling is excellent for a front driver. I really enjoy the car and suggest that anyone looking for a sport sedar consider this car. I recently attended the Saab sponsored Proving Ground where the 9-3 is pitted against, a BMW 325, M-B C230, Audi A-4, and a Volvo S70. After driving the Linear, Arc and Vector as well as a 9-2 convertible I was impressed at how well it stood up to the other vehicles.

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  No BMW - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By bayviewwilliams - March 4 - 5:23 am

  My 9-5 was swift, not fast. Exceptionally comfortable. Interior packaging was great, trunk space awesome, even good gas mileage. But GM really let Saab go, and the performance, build quality or materials cannot hold a candle to contemporary BMWs.

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  one saab story after the next - 1996 Saab 900
  By saabstory - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This car had one problem after the next. I replaced the mechanical seat, ignition, clutch cable, window motor, heat blower,cd player, tires repeatedly, etc. etc. The repairs were endless. I just traded it thank god, it was bottom less pit. The air was out and the car was not wanting to be put in reverse. I finally gave up...

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  Saab 9-3 in Atlanta - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By b6542 - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This car has met or exceded all expectations. I definitely would recommend the manual shift over the auto. Great Milage !

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  Love my 2008 Saab - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Robert - February 5 - 3:40 pm

  Overall a really good car. Personally, I feel that the 2.0T is the best deal vs. the 2.8. I opted for all options except nav and auto transmission. The premium leather gives the sport seats that arent otherwise available on the 2.0T. This feature alone nearly makes it worth the extra $$$. The leather quality is very nice (especially the French stitching!!). The manual transmission is notchy but nonetheless fun to drive. I must admit that I never really liked Saabs before, however this redesign really makes the car look wonderful. The taillight surrounds take getting used to but otherwise a really good car. FYI: upgraded sound system is simply average so I assume the base sound is terrible.