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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  Depriciation, Depreciation, Depreciation - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Snaaber - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Its a very nice car, however, be ready to be hit with a ton of depreciation once you try and get out of it. Ive had a number of Saabs over the years. Your new car will be worth about 33% of MSRP for trade-in value after four years. Even if you get a significant discount of $5,000 or so, the car will still depreciate by $17,000 in four years! When you think about Saab, just say depreciation...plus you can think of Saab as GMs replacement for Oldsmobile. Im sure that will help too.

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  Problematic but a kick to drive - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Saab Story - June 5 - 6:23 pm

  This is my 3rd Saab, which I recently purchased with 79,000 km on it. I love the drive of Saabs but had a 900 lemon in the past and figured it was just bad luck. I wanted to buy a 2001 because I love the cavernous trunk area, which has been replaced by sedan models. Shortly after buying the car I noticed thick grey smoke belching out of the exhaust when I started it. I took it to the dealer and was advised that my turbo was on the way out...price of repair $1,600. I also soon noticed that: my stereo lights dont come on at night, drivers side fog light assembly is broken, antenna works when it wants to and my sunroof frame is prematurely rusting and bubbling. Explains why resale is low

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  Great Car For Your Money - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By AsianJoe - May 27 - 11:13 am

  Decent real life gas mileage (23-27mpg). Seats are two tone... black and tan (white?) looks great, but can get dirty fast. You can go to any store and get some scotch guard ($5 a can) to protect your investment. Saab did a good job on noise reduction on the car, compared to the evil twin impreza.

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  Like the Saab but must have snow tires - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By snow tires - May 14 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe no one has mentioned how poorly this car handles when there is snow on the roads. I put on some Bridgestone tires, allseason and it still handles bad. Im told you must have snow tires, $1000 dollars. I have never had a car that needs snow tires. Not safe to drive without them.

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  Nice Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By JO1 - May 14 - 2:00 am

  Ive really enjoyed the new 9-3. Very comfortable, lots of features, and a great looking car.

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  A good car but not as good ... - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By Stardog - May 9 - 2:00 am

  Ive owned my 9-3SE conv. for almost a year now. Theres a lot I like about it and some things I dont. Its a great all-season car with front-wheel drive and heated seats. With the rear windscreen and heated seats I can easily have the top down on a sunny 45F day. Acceleration is good. The trunk is roomy. The fit and finish on the car doesnt measure up. There are LOTS of squeaks, rattles and windnoise. Various gauges dont work and the Saab emblem on the trunk fell off. The foot well is very crowded. For the price it doesnt measure up in comfort and luxury but its a good car and fun to drive.

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  Swedish bombshell - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By finklejag - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I have owned my 9³ for seven months now. It been really good to me. I have had some rattles that were fixed when I brought the car in the dealer. The engine is the strongest part of the 9³. SAAB has hit a homerun with the 2.0T. The engine has a large powerband. If you are driving in the city or on the freeway. The power is always there. My last five cars were VW/Audis. I traded in my 2003 A4 for the 9³. I had to get use to the Swedish layout of the car. I think every button and knob is in the right place. I get way more compliments with the 9³, then I ever got with the A4. I love how there is not a 9³ on every corner like the BMW and Audi.

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  grandpa likes it - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By brichmond - May 7 - 12:43 pm

  it drives and handles excellent ,nice excelleration, comfort good,it has stife susspension can feel bumps in road but it is a sports car what do you expect. headlights at night excellent fuel milage ok around 14 in city on highway maybe 29- 31.dependable ,nice looking car, for smoker it needs ash tray. ha ha

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  Less than expected - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Sboc - May 4 - 10:00 am

  The only way to drive this car is in the Sport Mode. - without it, its just a regular car. Body integrity is less than expected for this $$, has squeaks and rattles. Cars electronics are weak, Check Engine light comes on and Ive already had to replace Oxygen sensors

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  (I thought) its what I wanted. - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By BV - May 3 - 11:00 am

  I dont mean to be a spoiler to all the positive reviews - this is a nice car. I guess the problem is I had my last Saab (89 900T) way too long. It was the newer (after 2003) body style that really attracted me - I think its a great looking car. However, Im not into the white & chrome tail lights that came in 2008. It drives very well, power comes on quickly, quietly and before you know it your over the speed limit. But the seats are too wide and I slide around in corners. Most dissapointing it that it seems to be more GM than a Saab. Flimsy cup holders and console lid. On a recent business trip, I noticed my Chevy Cobalt rental car has the exact same radio as my $25K Saab. Uhh!