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:

• 

  Drive one and you will buy one. - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By pigman - June 27 - 5:00 am

  Great car for size. Average 22.5 mpg on last 8K. Mileage is same as some smaller cars. Really need to use cruise to maximize. The Aero option again is the only way to go on a Saab. Bigger tires and add the spoiler and the car goes from a plain Jane to the girl every bad boy wants. Power is there when you need to pass. My 96 was more sure footed but this model is more agile. The cabin updates for rear passengers was needed. The seats are comfortable but not like the 9000 Aero. As long as Saab is making cars I will be an owner.

• 

  Better thatn the Reviews - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By LMW - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is a superb car and a wonderful ride. Especially at $32,400 I paid for it. The only comparable car for me is the BWM 525 and that was almost 18 grand more. I needed good room in the back seat for three kids and this had it. The ride is great as is the handling. The turbo lag that has been described in otehr reviews is non- existent. I highly recommend it.

• 

  Great Car - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By SDalton - June 26 - 5:30 pm

  We just bought the 9-7X last week and absolutely love it. We test drove the Lexus 350, Volvo X90 and while they were great cars themselves, it was hard to pass up all the standard features the Saab had that wed end up having to add on with the others. Great car!

• 

  Nice Car - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By John B - June 26 - 3:36 am

  I would never pay full price for this, but with the incentives, it was impossible to resist--I paid $20,600 for a $28K car. (I got every option except the automatic.) Interior is a bit cheap and there was a paint flaw. (Dont ever get black paint!) But it is a fun car to drive.

• 

  Bring the Viggen Back !! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Vanmark - June 25 - 6:20 pm

  Hi Everyone, This review is dedicated to SAAB (GM), This car was a marvelous achievement especially with a 4 cylinder engine generating so much power, great fuel economy and low emissions. The bottom line is SAABs turbo engines rule. It dont matter how you cut it !! and by the way I love the exterior styling with the hatch back, its SAABs unique finger-print and its highly functional, its a sports car, its almost a station wagon its great for a family and it cranks 230 bhp from a 4 cylinder engine that can easily be tuned to produce 300 bhp.

• 

  Great Saab! - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Saabie - June 15 - 1:13 am

  Car handles much better than previous models. Dealer incentives make this a tremendous lease / purchase.

• 

  Excellent value, fun to drive sport/lux - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By J - June 14 - 8:40 am

  I love how this car drives. Very sporty and fun yet not hash. 2.0T has good power even with automatic. Excellent styling!

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Tommy M - June 14 - 2:00 am

  The 9-5 has me sold on Saab. Fun to drive, safe and reliable are my imperatives since I am in the car so much. At highway speed, this little turbin can roar. First gear is a little short or Id give this straight tens.

• 

  Oh the Humanutty - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Ipse Dixit - June 9 - 8:13 pm

  This is Saab #3 for me. I had a 97 900 SE T, and a 2001 9-5 SE V6 T. The 97 was awesome, but I was unimpressed by the 2001 V6. My 2001 was in the shop when I spied the 2000 silver wagon. The little 4-banger put the V6 to shame on my test drive. I was shocked to find out it was a 4-cyl! I absolutley love the way this car handles. There is the old 0-15 mph lag w/ the AC on, but Im a highway driver. I have a set of Winter wheels that I use for my excursions in snow and ice. I have put many SUV drivers to shame in severe snow storms. If only they knew it was about the tires. The Saab experience has been great with the following exceptions: 5+ broken fog lights, burnt out bulbs, DIC.

• 

  Very pleased with purchase - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By pixie777 - June 8 - 8:26 pm

  Ive only had my Saab 9-3 for a week but I absolutely love it! I think that people are negative about Saabs because not very many people own them. It comes equipped with many standard features that you pay handsomely for with the BMW 325i - which I test drove also. Its comfortable, the drive is very smooth and I love the exterior design of it. I was looking for a compact sedan with that special "something." My friends and family love it. If you are considering a Saab, please test drive one. You will not be disappointed!