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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  great car!!! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By flcmike - February 2 - 2:00 am

  best car Ive ever had!!

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  Excellent car!! - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By saabster - February 2 - 2:00 am

  This is a wonderful car to drive and own. I have 17k miles and only been to the dealer for regular services (no repairs!!) This is my second Saab Ive owned and I havent been dissapointed yet with them.

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  Better than the reviews by CR, Edmunds - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Mike - January 31 - 5:46 pm

  A very understated car. It almost looks like a combination of the positive characteristics of bmw and volvo, along with Saabs traditional design. Handles well, I like the fact it takes REGULAR GAS! You cant get that on any other european car. But I believe my mileage is more like 20-22 city 25hwy. The interior could be a bit larger, stereo and controls could use a little work. Moving flexible armrest on the center consule can be annoying. I think that the reports about the reliability being poor are not fair. Look at mercedes, bmw, volvo, volkswagen, audi, they are all about the same or worse. I previously had a 900 which ran over 165K, with no major concerns. These are good cars

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  Awesome Vehicle - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By CMD - January 31 - 3:03 am

  Bought after my TrailBlazer was totaled in an accident, it held up so well I knew I wanted another vehicle on this platform. The 9-7X may look a lot like the TrailBlazer but it drives completely different. The handling is absolutely fabulous for a truck based SUV. The 4.2 L inline six is an excellent engine, I looked at the V8 but I feel that the six is just as good. Fuel economy may be bad for a car but it is an SUV so I find my averages of 17.3 city and 22.8 highway (about 72-74 mph) to be acceptable.

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  Fun!! - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Steve Pfeiffer - January 28 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for about four months and every morning that I get up I cant wait to drive it.

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  My first Saab - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By zheng1798 - January 26 - 10:46 pm

  I test drove the Saab 95 five years ago, and finally bought one last week. Compare to the other cars in the same price range (BMW 325, Audi A4, Lexus E330), the Saab is neither the most sporty, nor the most refined, but it offers a unique stylying and lots of utility. The rear seat is spacious, and the trunk is like a cave compare to the BMW. SAAB uses high quality material through out the cabin. I still could not tell whether the door inserts are real leather or not. The seats are very comfortable, as well as the head restraint.

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  Love/Hate Relationship w my Saab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By SAAB??? - January 25 - 3:00 pm

  I bought this car thinking it had great gas mileage which was perfect for the kind of job i have. Come to find out two weeks later my new Saab broke down on me on my way to a mini vacation. Ive took it back to the selling dealer and they said "there was no problem". Took it from there dealership that same day on my way home it jerked and left me stranded in the middle of the road again! I hate this thing! It probably broke down on my more than 6-7 times before i took it into mechanics who really know foreign cars! Found out it was the fuel pump. I could not believe the dealerships could not find a problem. I guess Im more upset with them than i am my car. i guess i love/hate this car

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  VERY glad I bought it! - 1996 Saab 900
  By dw - January 25 - 1:03 am

  I purchased my 900SE turbo hatchback used, and its been the best auto purchase Ive ever made. This car is a great combination of performance (0-60 in less than 7 sec and great highway acceleration), economy (25-30 mpg) and utility.Its carried a LOT of stuff: kitchen set, diswasher, wall oven, kids college stuff, & is a great performance car - I have to be careful to avoid speeding tickets. On a recent highway trip (NJ to western PA) it got 30.2 mpg. The only repairs have been typical maintenance (tires, brakes, etc.), DI casette at around 80k miles, and a power antenna that I broke. Mine has 110k miles and looks and runs like a much younger car - & still has the original clutch.

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  Great alternative to many SUVs - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By UH2L - January 11 - 2:16 pm

  Ive owned the 2.0 T manual trans., my 3rd Saab, about a year. It has been almost perfect. Some latches have needed lubrication, but no other issues. Ive averaged 28 mpg with about 40% highway miles. Sound system is more than sufficient, the car feels stable at speed with a great compromise for ride and handling. Even if you dont like this car, its worth buying just for the safety and efficiency! You dont need a Subaru; theyre not efficient because of the 4WD and unless you drive in really bad conditions, all you need is the stability control that the Saab has standard. Controls can be a little confusing but seats are amazing. This car is a steal and holds lots of stuff.

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  1st Saab,will not be my last - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By LuvMySaab - January 9 - 12:43 pm

  I love this car! Very quick, handles well. I do a lot of driving, and the seats are the most comfortable. Interior is very ergonomic. I am 61, and I have more than enough room in the front for myself. The interior is quirky, but everything is conveniently located. I have the stick, and it is as smooth as silk. Passing on the highway leaves others in the dust with the turbo. Sure there is a lag, but who doesnt have one? I have been told by a Saab mechanic who used to work at 1 of the dealerships on LI, now in biz for himself that GM has "ruined Saab". I just cant tell.