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:

• 

  Aero 9-2X - 2006 Saab 9-2X
  By mpk - July 12 - 8:33 am

  This has been a reliable, superb-handling, and practical car. The aero has great acceleration - the turbo is well-engineered from Subarus boxer line. Great on dry pavement and on snow.

• 

  The 9-5s Evil Twin - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By jzeilinger - July 10 - 4:23 pm

  Is my 2nd 9-5 and without a doubt, the Aero is the way to go. The amount of power this 4 cylinder has is amazing & the cornering with the low profile perf. tires is tenacious. Everyone who rides in this car is extremely surprised by the "giddy up" & handling. Its definitely a vehicle I enjoy driving and doing 30k miles/yr for business thats an important requirement, I practically live in my car during the business week. Theres a host of creature comforts in the interior and Ive never gotten fatigued behind the wheel, even on 4+ hr business trips-very comfortable seats that seem to wrap right around you. .

• 

  Saabs best car yet? - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Paul Hughes - July 6 - 2:30 pm

  This is my fourth Saab and my favorite. V6 is smooth and torquey, manual transmission light and easy to use. (Kudos to GM on the engine!) And best handling FWD car Ive driven in a long time. Saab needs to upgrade the stereo. it is weak for 300W. Super supportive and comfortable seats, and a more unique convertible choice for So. California, which I like. I highly recommend this car.

• 

  FUN CAR - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Peteran - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving it for a week now and let me tell you, that the SAAB commercial about a "direct link between the right foot and a smile" IS TRUE. my wife keeps telling me that every time I accelerate " I never saw you smile so much" followed by "agony and screaming". options: Moonroof and Heated seats, I also had the dealer install a rear spoiler and the sport muffler. It really brought the car out even more, too bad I cant post a picture.

• 

  Never Follow!!! - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Will - June 26 - 11:50 am

  This is a great vehicle, no question about it! I had a BMW 535i over the weekend which the dealership let me test drive, because of my excellent credit. However, at 35 years of age, I felt like 45 or older in it and besides, the place where I live already looks like a BMW dealership, because just about everyone owns one! So, I took it back and started looking for a car that was just as good, but rarer, unique and with its own agenda. That is what SAAB is, and that is what the 9-3 Aero is more than any of their other vehicles! This car is absolutely unique and once you actually see one in detail, you will realize just how different they are. Never follow! This car really stands out!

• 

  Love the 9-5 aero - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By cueball1 - June 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. It was purchased used with only 27000 miles. I cant imagine buying one new and eating the horrible depreciation, but what a bargain used for under $20000. This car makes amazing power, is incredibly smooth, handles great and you dont pass yourself on the road every 5 minutes. Drove this car 13 hours straight at nearly 80 MPH and it got an amazing 32 mph. Ventilated seats and the cooler in the glove box are great when on the road long distances. Quirky sometimes means imaginative. Terrific car for the same price I would have paid for a boring mid line accord or camry.

• 

  SAAB Driven - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By SAAB Doyl - June 13 - 2:26 am

  Fun to drive, mocking a BMW with the MPG of a mini cooper. 3 years service with this lease costs the owner nothing. Hope the new company purchasing SAAB keeps tradition... superior value for the buck!

• 

  9-5 aero...a joy to drive - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By canemagic - June 11 - 10:00 am

  this is a fine performane vehicle...fun to drive....something different....priced 5-7000 less then compatible bmw

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By JWR - June 10 - 2:00 am

  I purchased this car about a month ago and love it. The car handles great,is fun to drive and is extremlery practical. A friend of mine owns last years 9-3 Vector has about 25000 on it and has had no problems so far.

• 

  Oooh baby! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bozsr - June 10 - 2:00 am

  Just picked this up a month ago. Got a great deal and a lot of options (because of a great cash rebate). Normally would buy a stick but my wife will also drive it occasionally and I got the automatic. The engine purs and the turbo adds lots of push at low end. Who needs the stick? Braking is great. Stereo is fine. Auto driver seat is very responsive and comfortable. Interior is quiet. Dealership is very helpful. Just got a 30 day check- up, they put on my plates, checked the systems, washed the car, vacuumed the interior. Its new all over again. Oooh Baby!