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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  2005 Saab Arc Convertible, Charlotte, NC - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Brian - August 9 - 2:30 pm

  Overall a great car and very pleased with the purchase. Test drove the BMW 3 series convertible and the Audi A4 convertible, although the performance was not as impressive, the Saab was the most fun to drive. Tons of interior room and of the three by far the most comfortable interior. With the roof up, has a true coupe feeling. I am 61 and with the roof up I have tons of headroom. Did not like the wood trim on the inside of the Arc model and had it changed out for the metal trim. I personally like the ride of the Arc suspension better than the Aero. The automatic is great, and the ability to shift the automatic is great for passing.

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  Well balanced and fun - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Mike - August 8 - 7:06 pm

  The 9-5 continues the SAAB tradition of providing an economical, sporty, cavernous luxury car in one package. It is great.

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  saab 9/5 - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By hmann - August 8 - 2:00 am

  very solid car over the past 4 years. The car does need more power though. Other than that it is a fine automobile.

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  surprised, fun, quick - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By richard - August 6 - 12:36 am

  I am surprised how much I like this car. I had always had cars with larger engines, so I was pleasantly surprised at the spunk of this 2.0 liter 4 cyl engine, I guess its the turbo. I enjoy the pick-up, the agility, and the nice handling. contrary to the reviews, the stereo is just fine, and I prefer a front wheel drive car, especially in the northeast USA, where we have snow, and a rear wheel car is never a good idea.

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  Wow! Top-down fun in Florida - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By SW-MIMI - August 5 - 4:50 am

  Ive had many convertibles in the past and I finally test drove new models this month. I fell in love with my black on black Aero Saab. I think its much more stylish than the Audi. I felt the BMW inside wasnt as special as the Saab and everything was another fee. My Aero Saab has every extra I could want and more. Drive one today and youll have a new love too!

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  all around fun - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By tjk - August 3 - 10:00 am

  really enjoy this car! definitely a unique experience...had lexus and audi in the past. Extremely comfortable! Great seats (ventilation system is awesome) I cant wait to see what saabs next 9-5 will be like!

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  saab review - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By phpra - July 31 - 10:00 am

  This car has performed extremely well. It has the handling of a real sports car but rides like a tourning car. The body styling is excellent and when it rains hard down here it handles very well.

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  watch out! - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Diana - July 30 - 1:46 pm

  Bought this cute little car 5 years ago. After the first 2 years I had to replace the engine. One year later I had to replace the engine again. VERY costly. Expect to have at least $250 - $500 in mechanic bills quarterly. Other than that, i love how it looks, how it handles, the size, the interior. Just wish it was better built.

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  Best of Both Worlds - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By archprof - July 29 - 10:56 am

  Right, so I bought my Satin Grey Aero for 22,500 out the door--9 miles on the clocks, bags on the seats (9 grand off sticker?? Ill take one, maybe two). Only option on mine is the Sport Package, which is just a sunroof and beautiful 17" wheels wrapped in decent RE011 Bridgestones. Most dont realize that this car has the STis steering box (2.7 turns vs. 3 on the WRX) which is mounted with rigid bushings to the car, for a more responsive feel. And responsive it is! Great handling, with all the body roll expected from Fuji Heavy Industries. Easily fixed, mind you. Really, the cornering is spot on--you will hug this car after driving hard in the rain! Buy it now before August 1!

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  its my second, would buy a 3rd - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By David in Michigan - July 28 - 6:23 am

  I had a 99 9-5 lpt wagon, sold it to buy a 97 Volvo 850 (NA) wagon, and just could not wait to get another 9-5 wagon. The 9-5 is a much stronger car overall and even gets better gas mileage. We still have an 00 Volvo V70 XC wagon that my wife likes, but I find it inferior to the 9-5 in all respects from economy to acceleration + the 9-5 has a WB radio and gets better reception on the AM band to boot! Yes, I do have snow tires (Gislaved Nordfrosts) on the 9-5 and it is the equal of the AWD V70 (and we have a hilly, curvy 1/3-mile-long driveway!) during our winters.