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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  Broke after buying a 9-5 - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By janie87 - June 17 - 9:07 am

  Just like many of these reviewers, I have owned a 9-5 and had to deal with a myriad of problems. I purchased the car in January 2013 and it ran well for about 6 months. Then the fuel pump exploded twice and the carborater needed replacing. And this was just the beginning.... $4000 later (over a period of 8 months), the car ran well for about 4 months, before the engine gave up and the mechanics couldnt determine the underlying issue.

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  Saturn with a price tag of BMW - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By GK - May 27 - 8:20 pm

  What a disappointment, this is what GM does with any company they buy/own, they Saturnize it! What this car is really worth shows it depreication, 2 years and your Sat.. sorry.. Saab is worth half what youve paid for it. In one word we lost a lot of money on this junk.

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  LEMON - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By jaime - February 9 - 6:06 pm

  We first bought this car at a dealership that went out of business,not knowing that. Saab corp., decided not to contact anyone about this. The car has too many electrical problems.The car has been in the shop about 20x the first year. Every time we turn around there is a problem. We will never buy a Saab again, cant wait to sell it. Very disappointed in every aspect of Saab and there corporation. Consider this a LEMON.

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  What a disappointment - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By disappointed - January 16 - 4:43 am

  Have owned many makes and models of vehicles, this Saab is the most disappointing along with any service from dealership. I feel like Im driving on eggshells as this thing bounces all over the road when hitting normal highway bumps in the road. Dealership says shocks are fine. The placement of ignition has got to be the most unsafe place any designer could have chosen. Too many little and big things have gone wrong with this vehicle. I hate it - would never recommend and tell anyone who will listen not to purchase a Saab.

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  My Third, And Last, Saab - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By BadSaabBad - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Im getting ready to turn my Saab in from my lease. The whole experience has been nothing but disappointing. My biggest complaint: TIRES! Ive replaced 6 - yes 6! - tires (at $250, per). All 5 of my rims are bent - which I REFUSE to replace. (FYI: A class-action lawsuit was filed regarding the tires. Now, there is a disclaimer on the new brochures). I LOVED my car. I fought for this car with my husband...LOL. This is my third Saab and I would have been loyal for life. I wanted the convertible next, but after 3 years and just 24000 miles (I never drive during the week), Im ready to throw the keys back at the dealership and never look back.

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  Run - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By Paul - June 13 - 7:06 am

  Best thing about my Saab is the extra 100,000 mile warrenty I purchased. Car has 48,000 miles on it. Without that extra warrenty I would easily be out about 5k by now. New accelerator, two new starters, two new windshield wiper pumps, new computer....there might be more...the past year is a bit of a blur to me at this point. Anyone want to buy a car?

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  No more Europe for me! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Slappy - April 20 - 11:10 pm

  Bought this car used in September of 2009 w/ 85K miles, now has 94K (just traded it in). Had to replace all 4 rotors and sets of pads, crankshaft positioning sensor (twice), oil pressure sensor, and the head gasket was blown, this was all after the place I bought it from said it was in tip-top condition. Strut mounts were noisy (known issue), headlights were too dim, vehicle rode like a tank, gas mileage only around 21 - 23 mpg HIGHWAY. I owned this vehicle less than a year. After this and my Audi, I will never buy another European vehicle.

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  Just a car - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By RLW - March 30 - 12:40 pm

  the 2005 Saab Linear is fairly reliable and provides good gas mileage. However this car provides little if any driving enjoyment. I drive 35,000 miles annually and it didnt take long for the negative details of this car to outweigh the positive. The sound system is poor at best, the interior materials are low end economy car quality (I know if is an Impreza, but still) and the ride is noisy (yes, I have tried different tires). These elements coupled with a low fun to drive quotient strikes the Saab off of my future purchase list.

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  Swedish Lemonade - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Smatti - March 1 - 2:00 am

  I hate this car. Believe the editors reviews and spend your money on a teutonic import or a Lexus. This vehicle is a GM knock-off full that lacks function and performance. My experience has been more like a "State of Intense Misery" than a state of independence.

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  The State of Dependence - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By sjames - March 1 - 2:00 am

  After years of driving second hand cars, I purchased a Saab 9-3 in the summer of 2003. I love everything about the car, except that it doesnt dependably start, has frequent electrical problems that are never fixed, and lastly, an abrasive and unempathetic service staff. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR. REPEAT. DO NOT BUY THIS CAR.