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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  Saab is good for you - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By muratd - December 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought a Saab 93. It has many standart options and also safety features such as ABS, side airbags... It is a fast car, no turbo lag as others claim. I like its style, it is different from the other mass market cars. Hope the new model will be as quirky as the current one.

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  Cant Rave Enough - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By PJL - December 4 - 4:46 am

  I bought this car because the price was right and my dad, a longtime Saab enthusiast, suggested it. Three months later, I am nothing but thrilled with my new Saab 9-3 Arc. The turbo and pep are incredible. Every so often I look down at the spedometer and freak out because I somehow got it up to 80 without realizing it. The seats are very comfortable and the smooth but tight ride surpass anything I anticipated. After a roadtrip through New England, my boyfriend confessed he liked my car better than his Audi. People that questioned my purchase have all done 180s once they have a chance at the wheel. Plus, you dont look like every other generic car on the road.

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  Great used car value! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By ryno - December 3 - 2:00 am

  My 9-3SE HO 5sp is a great drivers car with impressive acceleration, ample cargo space, and loads of standard options. It is amazing how much this car depreciates in value in the first few years, but this makes it a great used car value.

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  dream car - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By loop - December 3 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Handles well, is comfortable, and I feel sage with my family.

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  Saab 9-3 Vector - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By cheerboy23 - December 3 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun to drive, very unique, and styled awesome. I love the car, but it is very unreliable. It has been in to service 8 times in the 8 months that i have owned the car. It has left me stranded multiple times and I do not trust its reliability. The interior has aged far too quickly in the short time that I have owned it. I regret the purchase of the Saab and I wish that I could get rid of it. Other that those things, the car is great.

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  Fast, spacious, classy - 2008 Saab 9-5
  By Adrian - December 2 - 4:56 pm

  After driving several fleet Saab 9-5s in Norway, we bought one when moving to Canada. Its roomy, has great pace on the highway and (from the Norway experience) good dynamics on hard pack snow, despite not being 4WD. Comes with lots of great gadgets (for the price) which fortunately do not lead to a profusion of switches and clutter. Only gripe is the easily marked interior plastic surfaces.

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  Great car to by used - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By CaliforniaSaab - November 30 - 8:40 pm

  No better value, as depreciation runs high. Got mine with 23,000 miles for $15k at Carmax. What a deal. Spotless reliability so far, now at 45,000 miles. Very comfortable. Great on freeway. Handling could be a little tighter but thats what you get with FWD.

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  Saab Air Gulper - 2007 Saab 9-5
  By stvakr - November 29 - 5:50 pm

  Brisk acceleration and very fun to drive especially on the highway. Spacious midsize sedan that seats four adults comfortably with a huge trunk, sporty design and feel, and thumping sounding stereo system. When the transmission is shifted to the "sport" mode, the fun meter goes up. With the large oversized gripping Pirellis, the front end steering torque is definitely noticeable.

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  vyl - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By vyl - November 29 - 10:00 am

  Drive alot each year. Bought certified preowned car--affordable comfortable, quality, intended to last a long time and endure incredible mileage. First Saab, love this car. Own a 2000 model 9.5 sedan. Still feels new. Impressed w/preowned program, gas mileage. Ride is wonderful, will move out when needed. Comfort and performance are key features. Love the way we were served at Moore (Richmond, VA) before and after purchase. Because of distance, Charlottesville provides service. Not quite Moore, but adequate. Would buy another Saab in a heartbeat.

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  great car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By carol - November 29 - 10:00 am

  It has been a great car to own with little or no problems.