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:

• 

  1st month of ownership - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Fernando - July 8 - 8:16 pm

  I have own my 2008 9-3 for a month now, driven it both city and on twisty highways in coastal California from San Diego to Santa Barbara. Overall, I am very pleased with the car: great ride, amazing in the highway when the car settles and just lets you enjoy the ride. Based on other written reviews on line, I was concerned a bit about apparent manual shifter long throws and comments about interior built quality: my concerns disappeared once I got the car and started to drive it. 6 speed manual transmission works just fine, and clutch is great too. In sum, so far this car makes me smile every time I drive it.

• 

  Smooth, fun and safe - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Autoenthusiast - July 8 - 12:46 am

  My 5yr old nephew was impressed and loved the car because it looked like "a plane" from the outside and inside. My 3rd Saab(from: 900, 9-3SE, now 02 9- 5Linear) and have been very happy most especially the 9-5. Great space (hauled a love seat), lots of standard features that are still optional in some cars 6yrs later (side airbags, ESP, 5-spd auto tran, glovebox cooler, Trip-comp, dual sun-visors, Harmon-Kardon etc.) Safe - a fist-sized rock hit windshield 2x/2occasions and only a small chip, rear-ended by an Explorer and no damage (Explorer bumpers bent and caved-in). Great in long-drives, very peppy and quite! The Aero would have been exhilirating. Plan 2 keep it until 1M miles!

• 

  New Wagon - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Chris - July 7 - 6:53 pm

  My wife and I were looking for a sporty station wagon. While we liked the BMW 3 wagon, no way was it worth $10K more. I thought the Saab was more fun to drive – turns out it weighs 500 lbs less with the same power. The car really feels tight and quick. The Saab quirks like the center console ignition give it character and separate it from the generic feel of the Japanese and American designs.

• 

  Fun Saab - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Steve - July 7 - 4:10 pm

  I purchased a 9-3 anniversary model w/auto. If you are in the market for any type of car, compare it to a Saab. The car is fun to drive, feels very well built. Very, very quick. The anniversary package adds a lot of value. Compared this to a MB C230 and Lexus IS 250. It was no comparison when you compared fun to drive quotient, safety and price. What a fun great car!!!

• 

  DO NOT BUY THIS CAR!!!!!! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By César Mauras - July 5 - 10:00 am

  It squeaks and rattles. Very unpleasant to drive. The quality of the interior material is very poor. It does feel like driving a Cavalier or a Saturn. I agree with the other reviewer who said that they should change the name to SAAturn. OnStar is nice if you like to be put on hold.

• 

  Outstanding car for a great price! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By JMichaelG - July 4 - 1:56 pm

  The Saab 9-3 Sports Sedan is a great car. It is incredibly fun to drive and it gets excellent fuel economy. The interior design is very good. Leather appointed seats are standard and the seats are surprisingly comfortable. The audio system takes some time to get the hang of. The Saab has a sporty, stiff drive which makes driving an enjoyable experience. I will not buy a different type of car, my Saab is the greatest car I have ever owned.

• 

  Score! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By yowz - July 3 - 3:16 pm

  Just bought a 2002 Volvo s60 2.4T about a month ago. Some lady totaled it for me by smashing into the passenger side. Was devastated until I found the Arc convertible. Went out and got this beauty and cannot believe how much of a better car it is! And I am paying about the same for a newer car with better handling, more horsepower and less mileage. Score.

• 

  Parts on indefinite backorder!!! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Jules - July 1 - 7:30 am

  I have had a lot of Saabs and no car has given me as many problems as this one. It was in the shop over 7 times in 1 month alone. Recently the alternator went and then the vacuum pipe and now a $34.00 hose that is on back order Saab Corp. says indefinitely. Thanks to GM the quality of this car and the company has gone down the drain. WATCH OUT!!!

• 

  Over Engineered and Poorly Built - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By PRR - June 29 - 2:00 am

  This has been a very unreliable car. Lots of things have gone wrong and have been replaced. Have become good friends with mechanics since I see them very regularly i.e. at scheduled maintenances and many times in between. Bad electrical system - head lights burn out regularly; climate control system that dictates to you. Very expensive to repair. Noisy when travelling. Still have original brakes but not much else original. High roof line so I can see out the front and my head does not hit the roof. There is no sunroof!!! Great cruise control and good mileage: 29.1 mpg for 95000 miles. In summary most expensive and worst new car that I have ever owned.

• 

  I love a SAAB - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By dc2 - June 23 - 2:00 am

  I bought a 2000 Gary Fisher edition wagon about 3 months ago with 25,000 miles. This car was/is in fantastic shape. In 3 months I have put on 8700 miles and have fallen in love with this vehicle, and plan to keep it for atleast 200,000 miles. Will it last that long? I dont know this is my first SAAB, but so far Im hooked for life. I am dissappointed in the fuel ecnomy as in 3 months I have not gotton over 24 mpg, and I drive 98% highway, althouh I do have quite the lead foot! ALTHOUGH BEWARE OF CENTRAL SAAB IN NORWOOD, MASS!!!!