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:

• 

  Sold a Lemon - 2000 Saab 9-3
  By ginman - March 31 - 2:23 am

  Had just under 28,000 miles on it. First time I drove it the windows would not work properly - had to replace the switch. Water pump went at 31,900 and the rear breaks were frozen -The dealer would not cut me any kind of break even though just out of waranty. Broke down just before xmas at 33,000 - would not start - was stranded - tow ($90) to dealer - bad ignition module ($745). Car has cost me over $2,000 in service/repair in 6 months. Dont buy this car.

• 

  I dont get it. - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By magikarp5 - March 30 - 3:14 am

  Just purchased a used 9-3 2004 arc automatic. It has a 100000 miles on it. This is by far the nicest car I have ever driven. I dont understand why the reviews are so mixed on this car. Now you can get a $40000 vehicle for under $10000. All I hear is people complaining about little things on this car. Performance, ride, and looks, three great reasons to buy it. I test drove others in this price range of $8000, nothing came close!

• 

  9-3: a noisy ride - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By tennisman - March 28 - 3:26 am

  Wont be buying another Saab; after living with the excessive road noise and poor stereo for 2.5 years, its time to get a quieter car. Wears me out on a long road trip. Awful stereo, with no bass in the back parcel shelf. All bass is in the doors, which makes everything rattle that is in the door pockets.

• 

  i want a brand new 2001 saab wagon - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By m white - March 27 - 10:00 am

  After 138,000 miles with nothing but routine maintenance the turbo just blew. we replaced it and suddenly we have gone from great mileage (41 mpg on the highway) to 45.5 mpg! i love driving this car, i love the manual transmission, the way it handles in snow and wet and the comfy seats. i love the cargo space and the split seats and the heated seats. we drive pets and us to Maine and back every summer and need not to get stuck on the road.- i am thinking we need a new car but dont want to turn this sweet thing in.

• 

  More Than Satisfied - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By John L. Bell - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I have no reason to tout this vehicle other than to give credit to Saab for building one of the best vehicles I have ever bought. It is a remarkable car in every respect and on a recent trip to MN from my home in FL my computer reflected 33.1 mpg at 2000 rpm. I am totally pleased with this vehicle. It is built like a tank and drives like a Porch, and a fun vehicle to drive, with, or without the top down There is but one item that I just cant like, and that is the standard equipment Radio/AM;FM;CD & Sat. to which I do NOT subscribe. This vehicle was purchased used in AL and was an excellent buy and an outstanding value.Fit and Finish are perfection at its finest. I am a very happy owner.

• 

  Still Get Compliments on the Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Harry 19 - March 27 - 7:56 am

  I did have some fairly minor mechanical problems the first year, all of which were covered under warranty--nothing since. The car still turns heads after all this time--people assume I paid a lot more for it than I did. The ride is a little stiff and the model has improved since 2003. I still enjoy it and never had some of the mechanical problems that other 03 owners seem to have encountered. I enjoy driving the car and will probably buy a 9-3 again but hope to be able to keep this one going another few years at least--I dont use it much more than 7,500 miles a year and if I can avoid any major problems expect to hold it until it dies.

• 

  Saab 9-3 excellent car for the money - 2009 Saab 9-3
  By pl - March 25 - 11:36 pm

  No one can drive this car and not appreciate the very smooth and adequately powerful turbo engine. Also, one of the safest cars on the road. As for gas mileage, its consistently been 22 in the city and 29 on the highway, so the 18-23 quoted in the review is odd. Very comfortable to drive. At 26k, its a steal. A great family car.

• 

  Lots of fun per buck - 1996 Saab 900
  By Abe Lincoln - March 25 - 2:56 pm

• 

  The Best Sedan - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By ss5jeter - March 23 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has great performance, acceloration, handling, and comfort. The rear heated seats and the ventilated seats are great too. It is also very fast when you need to go. This is the best SAAB I ever bought.

• 

  03 Saab 9-3 linear - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By per - March 23 - 2:00 am

  this car has offered a nice contrast to the 10 year old Camry I have been driving for about just as long a time. The Saab offers a firm ride,excellent handling,only average pick uproads of Ithas plenty of gidde-up after 40m.p.h.as it wants to eat up the roads as they come at you. The brakes aree excellent and the stick 5 speed feels precise with an easy throw. However, off the line, you cant get it out of first soon enough. So far so good, I am happy with my puchase. This car has offered a nice change from the vanila feel of japanese cars. For not a lot of money-I feel I got into the sports sedan category. Lets see about reiliability