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:

• 

  Disappointed - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By Marianne - February 22 - 3:30 am

  Purchased this used w/only 32K (one owner vehicle myself being second) since I have had this vehicle I have had new brakes and rotors cut, fuel pump fixed, transmission flushed(that was at 50 k miles). This tops it all, I woke up at 1:30 am saw strange lights coming from my driveway to discover the hazards were flashing. I tried everything and could not shut them off, looked for fuses etc.. had to take it to a SAAB recommended mechanic near my home and his comments the SAAB is the worst car for the money and be prepared to continually pay for repairs... the repair cost was unbelievable. The problem electrical and the computer board....

• 

  My car is in the shop while Im typing! - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By NUBULLY - February 13 - 12:23 pm

  Run away from this SUV. When we leased this SUV, GM had a promo: give us 27 months. Well, this morning when I tried to start the engine it turned over but did not start (for the 5th time). I have 4 more months until the 27 months are up. I gave them 27 months and I know to stay away!!!! THIS is why you lease autos, if I purchased this SUV I would be out my mind right now. The car drives nice but it gets horrid gas mileage and its been in the shop a lot. The interior fit and finish are still good. The XM/Radio antenna wasnt installed properly as well as the R/S mirror was 1/2 installed when we took delivery. NYBULLY

• 

  Electronic Nightmare - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By JDN - February 13 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car used and for the first few years it was fine. The last year or two have been a nightmare. Electronic issues and Check Engine" lights are a monthly occurrence. For instance the dashboard info display was rebuilt, the ignition switch has to be replaced and the trunk harness which controls the trunk lock and the tail lights was replaced. There is no manual key entry for the trunk. Recently the DI cassette in the engine was replaced ($550) to address the most recent Check Engine light.

• 

  Never again - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By NO MORE SAABS FOR ME - February 13 - 10:00 am

  This car ALWAYS has something wrong with it. You will never stop spending money on repairs.

• 

  Unreliable!! Unsatisfied owner - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Saab Owner - February 12 - 5:20 am

  Ive had my car a little over two years and now Ive started to have problems. List of the problems Ive encountered: computer chip in key not working - go to open car and wont unlock - had to get new keys programmed twice, tail lights went out - dealer stated it was due to the lights running all the time, left work one day and car wouldnt start - needed a new battery - dealership claimed it was due to the HOT weather, had to replace all four tires due to tread running thin before 2 yrs. If you have the a/c on high and need to accelerate to get on freeway car has no power... very sluggish. This wknd engine light came on... will take in Monday. Looking to trade it before warranty expires at 50k :(

• 

  Could be better - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By vchirico - February 4 - 7:30 am

  going strong after 191000 miles, fun to drive and amazing capacity.The turbocharged engine makes things fun and it is amazing in the snow. Now for the down sides it feels like I am playing wack a mole with all the problems maybe its just the fact it is an old car at this point. I would consider it decently reliable but, the parts feel like there unnecessary expensive compared to cars of the same size. Good car could be better though. if given the decision I would pass considering the company is out of business and there isnt much of a scrap Saab base to scavenge parts.

• 

  Young mans sport sedan - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Brian - November 8 - 4:36 am

  XWD, six-speed manual really make this car fun. It tracks very well in the snow and ice. It rides hard, even over medium quality metro freeways. So much so that on one bump I was tossed upward in the car and hit my head on the ceiling. I have been known to grunt in anticipation of road bumps. Maybe this is because of my bad back and age 43. I had an 87 Saab 900S several years ago in my youth and loved it. My new Saab is fast and fun to drive on smooth roads, but I may have bitten off more than I can chew. A loaded Accord would have been a better choice for me. Discounts made the car affordable, but I anticipate reliability will be below average; its in the shop as I write this review.

• 

  93 is an over-priced Passat!! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By YSaab? - October 25 - 2:00 am

  Ive been shopping for an entry-level lux cars for about two weeks, and just test drove 93 recently. This skinky car shouldnt even be mentioned with the likes of Lexus IS300, BMW 3s, and Audi A4. Simply put, this car lacks power and its interior looks dirt cheap (like GM Cavaliers). To aggrevate my already disappointed experience, its sleazy salesman told me that you CAN NOT get an automatic transmission option without getting Launch package first, and quoted a price of $31K!!?#. I bet those people who gave 93 a 10 pts, didnt even test drove BMW or Lexus, or must be insane! Get Lexus like I did.

• 

  Nice car, but junk - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Frank - October 7 - 1:56 am

  Loved the look and driving feel of car. So glad I had a warranty since it was in the shop every month. At least the dealership gave me a nice loaner car. Couldnt wait to buy a Toyota. Repairs done: new turbo, struts, starter. Repairs needed: ABS module ($3000), Transmission ($2500) and another turbo ($3000). DO NOT BUY THIS BRAND.

• 

  Saab never again! Maybe a BMW - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By SergioC - September 24 - 7:56 am

  First the positive on this car. This is a fun car to drive except to the shop or dealing with GM. The turbo charged went bad at 65,000 miles. GM customer service is the worse I ever dealt with it. Now it will cost me over 1,700 dollars on repairs since GM do not want to knowledge of the problem with the turbo charger that it should not gone bad. I am finally give up on this piece of junk and never will buy another GM or SAAB. If you think to buy a SAAB, please reconsider that its a GM product now not a SAAB.