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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  Disappointed First Time Saab Owner - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By maddux111 - November 9 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive and looks good. Poor product quality. Turbo had to be replaced and the car repainted due to peeling paint. Car had less than 1500 miles on it when both occured. Customer Service Center very poor. Poor radio sound and cup holders have a tendency to spill cups. Service at the Dealership great. This car has not represented the quality that Saab markets itself as having. Great Dealership, poor product quality and poor customer service. Not worth the money. Buy a BMW!

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  Need another car - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By redsaabfun - November 7 - 5:16 am

  For the first several years we owned this car, it was our weekend car. So there was very little that went wrong. We only put 4k miles p/year on it. Once it became my wifes every day car, the problems started ramping up. Lost the serpentine belt 50 miles from home at 14,000 miles. Two water pumps, digital display replaced once, turbo problems. The car is in the shop right now for yet another water pump, that was replaced, yes you guess it, just past the shop warranty of 1 year or 12k miles.

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  Saab 9-5 is a great car - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By Timothy Moore - November 4 - 2:33 pm

  I have been very pleased with my second Saab purchase. I get a kick out of driving this car and cant keep it away from my brother. It is a great, enjoyable, classy and beautiful car. While quirky in some respects, it is a car that stands out from the rest. I love my 9-5.

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  sad but true - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By sadbuttrue - November 3 - 10:00 am

  I am so unbelievably disappointed in my new 93. I have always loved the look of Saabs and knew I would own one one day. To my surprise, I have had nothing but headaches from this car. I have had it in service approx 6 times now for various problems & its still not resolved. Never again.

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  Saab 95 2002 4dr 2.3t - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By SAAB Driver - November 2 - 6:46 am

  Beautiful Car! I got this car and it needed a few minor check ups, that cost me around $200, but after all Im buying a used car, i actually had in mind a little more than that! :) the car has GREAT performance, and Im loving it, its classy and sexy at the same time!

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  3 Saabs and still going - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By saablover - November 1 - 10:23 pm

  I have owned 3 Saabs...92 -9000, 99 -9/3 and now a 05 - 9-3. Once you own one you know they just keep getting better. I feel great about my new purchase...fun to drive, tight, clean, great fit and finish! Even the wife loves it!!

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  The last time Ill ever buy a Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Tom - November 1 - 4:30 am

  The car spends more time in the dealership than in the driveway. Had the CD changer replaced 3 or 4 times (I actually lost count), "Infotainment" center works only half the time, multiple sensors replaced on car, major stereo and electronic issues (too much to go into here), and other problems that are escaping me at this time. The car squeaks and rattles like a 10 year old economy car. You would think for $30k it would have been built better. Good MPG? I wish I knew the secret of these other people, I am averaging 21-24 mpg with my daily commute and having to put premium gas in, thats not good. My biggest regret is that I purchased this car. Very big MISTAKE!

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  Best All-Around Family Sedan - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By ben james - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Always use Edmunds for my research, so after deciding on a 2000 Saab 9-5 SE I felt obligated to provide a review. This vehicle is the only european car to make Consumer Reports list of "Best Bets" and having owned it for over a month, I can see why. Hands down the safest, most reliable and most enjoyable family sedan on the market. A delight to drive, even better than my friends BMW 5-series (at much less an upkeep cost). Its comfortable interior and Saab design belies the incredible acceleration provided by the V6. I could not be happier with my purchase and look forward to many years of enjoyable driving!

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  Very Impressive - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Stevenml - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Wonderful car to own -- quiet silky ride, great passing power when you need it, very sporty looking too. For 10 Grand less than a BMW or Mercedes, which I also drove, the Saab is a steal!

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  saab is great - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By mario - October 25 - 2:00 am

  what i expirience in this car is amazing i like the style performance and everything about this car i like the seats...........