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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  Fun car at the right price - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By JPC - November 3 - 10:20 pm

  After owning a Nissan Xterra (and dealing with its appetite for fuel), I was in the market for a more economical vehicle at or around $16K. My choices were limited, and I had started to resign myself to purchasing a Toyota Corolla. Thanks to the current GM rebates, the Saab 9-2X Linear was in my price range. The car has a distinctly Saab look in the front, Subaru look in the midsecton, and Saab again in the rear. There is a world of difference in the ride quality between the related Subaru Impreza 2.5s & the Saab 9-2X linear. The spring rates in the Saab are not as harsh as in the Subaru. The styling of the Saab is more mature. Saab also made many safety features standard.

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  OK - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Scott - November 2 - 12:43 pm

  Alot of turbo lag unless you are going 60+. For the price does not come close to the audi or bmw. Spend the extra 5- 7k and stick with an audi or bmw. Terrible winter vehicle. Salespitch noted "this car is made in sweden". Must have made it in the summer.

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  Great Car! - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Tim Choppin - November 2 - 3:13 am

  I purchased the Saab after driving the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-Series. The BMW really left me cold. I really liked the Audi driving experience, but the interior was far more cramped and the price for an equivalent trim level was shocking. The Saab has been fun and generally reliable, with the exception of the rare and mysterious message from the computer about the engine immobilizer. The car keeps running, so I ignore it. The top goes down rapidly and the seat heaters allow me to drive top-down whenever the outside temperature hits about 40. The car has plenty of pep. The rear seats are unique in this class for being truly functional for passengers. The digital media input jack is nice.

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  No ordinary Euro sedan - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By scdo - November 2 - 2:00 am

  I considered several of the other high- end vehicles, but I was truly convinced that Saab offered much more and was all around the best choice. Now the Jones will have to try to keep up with me!

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  Great car, but no Acura - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By 1saabowner - October 31 - 3:20 am

  I currently own a 2005 Acura TL 5AT with navigation. My wife traded in her 2001 Lexus ES for the 9-3 Aero with everything, for about the same price as my TL. I really like the seats on the 9-3, which are slightly more comfortable than my TL. However, we werent impressed by all the hard, black plastic throughout the interior, especially when compared with the TL. Acceleration is good throughout the RPM range, but the normally aspirated TL is better. The Saab does shine in safety, with a BEST PICK side rating (1 notch above TL) and GOOD rear impact rating. Not a bad choice, but we like our TL a lot more.

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  Auto Industry best kept secret - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By greeny9 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  This car offers a great balance of ride, handling and accelleration. It has nice qulity feel and look to it both inside and out. So far It has been very reliable.

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  9-3 Sport Sedan 2.0t - LOVE IT - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By lenderbee - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I decided not to wait for the 210hp ARC and basically got the 175hp vector fully loaded minus the 17" sport wheel package. I thought the sport suspension was a little to rigid for my confort. Overall the car is roomy and fun to drive. There is a little turbo lag when making that zero to 60 jet merging into traffic, but overall the car responds well.

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  Stay away from this Saab - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By abarcius - October 28 - 2:00 am

  I bought the car for my wife last month, I had so many problems that I am seriously considering selling the car at a huge loss. The ride is harsh and uncomfortable, the quality of the parts on the dashboard are noisy since are shared with other less expensive GMs. The driving position is odd and unsual.

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  Great Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By car enthusiast - October 28 - 2:00 am

  after considering the following cars, i choose the saab. i test drove: bmw 325xi(all wheel drive) audi a4- bmw drove -ok not great, it had no trunk space and tiny backseat. the controls were boring looking and the spedometer had 65 mph very low on it like a race car. the audi- only comes in 5 speed. i have owned 5 speeds and dont like luxury cars with lots of shiftin. Saab- 1)looks better than the other 2 2)better gas mileage, huge trunk and backseat. the spedometer has 65 mph right in the middle were it shouldd be!

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  Great GAS Milage - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Candy - October 26 - 10:03 pm

  I dont know where you got 19 city and 28 hwy, but I average 25-28 city and 33-35 hwy. I have the 95 turbo and love it, just wish it was a convertable.