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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  A great car - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By aborwick - November 17 - 2:03 am

  We drove the car to Gatlinburg TN from our home near Washington, DC. The car drove flawlessly, nary a squeak nor a rattle. The four-cylinder engine was economical, yet peppy and and provided six-cylinder power. I found the dash ergonomics excellent, the seats were comfortable and the built-in XM Radio nice on the long drive. There was no torque steer from this front-wheel drive automobile. On-Star provided peace of mind. This car is a good value in todays near-luxury market.

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  I Hope Saab Returns - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By mr_monza - November 14 - 11:20 am

  Its really a shame----bordering on despicable----that the failed General Motors Corporation, survivors only due to the U.S. government flooding them with millions of our tax dollars----saw fit to essentially drive Saab out of business. Its a long story, but suffice to say, holding preferred shares of Saab stock, GM blocked the sale of Saab to a Chinese company, forcing them into bankruptcy. As I write this, Saab is hanging by a thread hoping to find a buyer GM will "allow" or finding a different way to stay in business, without the devils at GM lording it over them. Regarding my car----its a 2004 Saab 9-5 Arc Wagon, with automatic transmission. I bought it new. Reliable, great car.

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  Hard to beat for the price used - 1996 Saab 900
  By Miles - November 14 - 2:03 am

  These little cars are tough as nails and get great gas mileage! Sure, the occasional engine light comes on but that is because the Swedes put too many sensors on the thing. The 4 cyl is not the smoothest motor at idle, but it runs strong and is very economical. All this and classy looks with a 4 dr hatch thousands less then Honda, and Toyota. Saab is a well kept secret.

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  lovely car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By sweatheart - November 13 - 4:56 pm

  Ive had the Saab 9-3 4 door linear sedan for almost two weeks now i absolutely love it! Its very fun to drive. Stick shift is smooth. The only thing wrong is my emergency brake gets kind of stuck when trying to take it off. The car is very clean inside and out. Trunk size is good its pretty big for a sedan.

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  Great So far - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Lovin it - November 9 - 5:13 am

  Got this car about a month ago and I can say I am very satisifed so far. It is a little smaller than what I am used to but the gas mileage improvement is more than worth it in this $3/gallon gas world. The performance is awesome for a wagon, the stereo sounds great and it is pretty luxurious inside. I liked the Aero better but it wasnt worth the extra dollars. It feels great on the highway and the only turbo lag I have found is in first gear. If you keep the RPMs high enough, you will never notice.

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  AWESOME CAR - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By JXD - November 4 - 3:56 am

  GREAT EUROPEAN RIDE. MORE SPORTY RIDE THAN LUXURY. FUN DUE TO TURBO PICK UP.

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  No ordinary Euro sedan - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By scdo - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I considered several of the other high- end vehicles, but I was truly convinced that Saab offered much more and was all around the best choice. Now the Jones will have to try to keep up with me!

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  9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0t - LOVE IT - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By lenderbee - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I decided not to wait for the 210hp ARC and basically got the 175hp vector fully loaded minus the 17" sport wheel package. I thought the sport suspension was a little to rigid for my confort. Overall the car is roomy and fun to drive. There is a little turbo lag when making that zero to 60 jet merging into traffic, but overall the car responds well.

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  Great Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By car enthusiast - October 28 - 2:00 am

  after considering the following cars, i choose the saab. i test drove: bmw 325xi(all wheel drive) audi a4- bmw drove -ok not great, it had no trunk space and tiny backseat. the controls were boring looking and the spedometer had 65 mph very low on it like a race car. the audi- only comes in 5 speed. i have owned 5 speeds and dont like luxury cars with lots of shiftin. Saab- 1)looks better than the other 2 2)better gas mileage, huge trunk and backseat. the spedometer has 65 mph right in the middle were it shouldd be!

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  Great GAS Milage - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Candy - October 26 - 10:03 pm

  I dont know where you got 19 city and 28 hwy, but I average 25-28 city and 33-35 hwy. I have the 95 turbo and love it, just wish it was a convertable.