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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  Good Car - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By SAAB - December 1 - 9:43 pm

  The Saab performs well and has a look that never dies. The only problem with it is that it had small problems like the radio blacking out and small things. They seem to be extremely forgiving with the cars good looks and performance.

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  they dont make them like they used to! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By kris - November 29 - 12:23 am

  This vehicle has been a nightmare! I have been the only owner, never in an accident and there have been issues from the time it was under warranty. 2 auto windows that broke, 2 ball joints (the same one each at 50K miles), 3 electrical relay switches, head gasket that leaks, radio control display that is not readable and many other problems, on top of routine maintenance! Lemon is what I got, and Saab has lost a customer of 25 years!

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  This is my SUV - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By ACF - November 28 - 10:00 am

  2nd Saab (also have a 1992 900S), and its great. This wagon holds its own on many fronts. A Suburban rear ended me hard at a stop light--I drove away, he was towed (anti-whiplash headrest was amazing). Turbo is satisfying for every day driving, though Saab did the right thing in increasing the base HP. Safety, cavernous storage, driver comfort, extras—a great value. Rear seat room good even for adults. Im surprised at complaints of quality problems-- dealer did replace SID recently, but at 3 years this car could be almost showroom quality. I expect to drive it for 5-7 more years.

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  Rented a Linear, bought an Aero - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By cutter - November 28 - 10:00 am

  I never thought I would like Saabs. Until renting a Linear to go to San Diego. and couldnt have loved it more. As soon as I had gotten to the point to purchase a car in these price ranges..I bought the silver Aero right off the lot. Its a car that;s in the same class as the 5 seies, or A6 models, yet hovers in the price range of a 3, or A4. Smooth as silk all the way to 140 mph. Ergonomics are excellent in the ol cockpit, heated seats all the way around, beautiful harmon/kardon stereo, and people love staring at the mystical glow of on of the best xenon lighting systems Iv seen.

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  Love this car. - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By rober in LA - November 26 - 10:40 am

  Ive had some problems with my top (replaced the motor after one week of owning the car) but this car by far is a blast to drive. When I drive out to Las Vegas from LA I can only tell you that I blow bast people like they are standing still.

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  Wifes Saab - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Biff - November 23 - 9:53 pm

  Good fun car to drive. Looks good and handles great. Gas mileage is out of this world! Safety headrest can be uncomfortable, but overall we love this car!

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  It looks great - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Saabstory - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I want to like my 9-3. The greatest shortcoming in the car is its very very substandard structural integrity. To put it kindly, the car is "floppy" like a recently dead fish. When you are driving on smooth pavement in a straight line, the car feels great. Hit a bump, or take a twisty lane and you notice that the car doesnt feel like one piece. Go over rail road tracks and the car feels very loosely held together. Rattles abound, and electrical problems have plagued mine. That said, the engine is a 10 and the car is very thoughtful. Little things like how it remembers to use the rear wiper when you put it in reverse in the rain make a good impression.

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  I give up - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By 2-years Saab owner - November 22 - 2:00 am

  The car definately falls short in its structural regidity (convertible only). Therefore, you are bounced all over the place on bumpy roads - honestly I feel more comfortable riding my skies on bumps than the Saab convertible. Also the general interior setting becomes enoying very quickly. There is no cetral lock, and the romote car key only works from about three (3) feet of the car - funny you would find many of us Saab owners sticking the key to our chin to make the door open or lock from ten twenty feet of the car. Having said all of this, I am going to sell this car this spring and by another German or even a Japanese car.

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  I love my 9.3 Linear sedan - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By JasonS - November 22 - 2:00 am

  I bought in March and have really enjoyed this vehicle. It handles great and I love the CD changer and the fun "extras". I commute about 30 miles each way and this car makes the time fly by!

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  More rattles than a box of biscuits - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By charles pinnick - November 20 - 8:06 pm

  Lovely car for the price but unfortunately I bought it new and could not get much of a deal. I am a slender 170lbs yet the cushion bottom on my leather ventilated sport-seats has gone nearly flat and I am sitting on the frame. Dealership said they fixed it by putting a new one in (and billing Saab no doubt) but I believe they simply turned it over and puffed it out. Bad for the back - and that is one of the reasons I bought my second Saab 9-5. The rattles on this car KILL me. The plastics are low-grade economy plastics and there are more rattles in this new design than there were in the older vehicle. These new vintages suffer from shoddier plastics--Saab says 1 yr on rattles-bs!