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 until 100k miles! - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Donna B - October 14 - 9:33 pm

  I loved my Saab until the warranty ran out. Great space, comfortable and the size of the trunk is unmatched! After the 100k warranty was up, major mechanical problems... ABS brakes, gas tank corrosion, leaking gaskets, serpentine belt... trade before its too late!

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  Awesome 4 seater - 1996 Saab 900
  By mr. t - October 14 - 3:50 pm

  The 1996 Saab 900 S 2.3 convertible is one of the best cars on the market today in its category, Not only is it fast, great looking, reliable, and well built, it also gets an incredible 30 mph on the Hwy. and seats four comfortably. Awesome.

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  Greaf car, but poor gas mileage - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By cmadams219 - October 13 - 10:38 pm

  This car drives and handles well. When I bought it, it was my 4th SUV. It has been the best. I hate to part with it, just time for newer vehicle. SAAB let us down when they went out of business.

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  Jumping the gun... - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By SNAAB - October 9 - 9:00 pm

  I purchased my new 2007 Aero Sedan on Wednesday and have driven it less than 100 miles but it sure is a nice change from the VW R32 that I traded. I love the comfort of the front seats although they do seem to be a bit narrow. The biggest disappointment is the much maligned dash mounted "cup holder" it really is as bad as advertised! Power is ample but not as good as I anticipated. if I was looking for a quick sedan this car wouldnt have made the short list, it does sound good though. Good choice so far.

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  2006 97x - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By kevin squibb - October 8 - 10:03 pm

  You get a lot for your money with this vehicle. The vehicle is extremely quite, has good acceleration and handles and rides a lot like car.

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  this car is great - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By saaaab1 - October 7 - 2:00 am

  The 9-5 is great for the roadtrip. Handles and responds excellent. Seats are comfortable, leg room sufficient. Sporty ride combined with luxury features and comfort.

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  Great car - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By TJN - September 29 - 3:53 am

  I traded my 4WD SUV the day a nasty ice storm came through. Slid all the way to the dealership, thought I was nuts to trade that day. Drove home 35 miles on the same ice in a car I knew little about. Performed aewsome, never missed a step. Since then my Saab has been the BEST vehicle I hav ever owned. None of the issues others note, great hwy mpg, fast, safe, stylish, reliable, exclusive (see very few SCs on the road), and tracks through snow and ice w/o the need for AWD. I needed car I could "bond" with, and this is definitely it!

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  Great car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By moeman - September 28 - 12:26 pm

  I think this a great car--my second SAAB. The up side is that its a great blend of performance, handeling, ammenities, safety and fuel economy. Id recommend it to any friend. The down side is that you better not think about adults in the back seat except for a very short trip.

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  Saabaru...Best five door for the money - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Zach - September 27 - 4:20 pm

  I was going to buy a WRX until I test drove the Saabaru. This is simply the best five door available--not just for the money, but period. Sure, there are some more upscale models filled with fluff (onboard navigation, various electronic gadgets, etc.) but most dont offer 220-hp with a tried and true engine, drivetrain, and turbocharger, let alone what is quite possibly the most reliable all-wheel drive system on the market. This car moves when you want it to (especially in Aero manual form, though the automatic is still spunky), just like the WRX, but is also a friendly daily driver. It performs like the WRX but drives like a Saab!

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  Saab 9-3, fun to drive - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Island - September 27 - 10:00 am

  The Saab 9-3 is a fun car to drive. I drive 150 miles a day to work. With the majority of miles on the highway. This car allows you to feel the road, yet will not beat you up. It has excellent acceleration and very good gas mileage. We like this car so much, I am planning to buy another for my wife.