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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  Best car ive ever owned! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Metodi - December 12 - 10:40 pm

  This Saab is incredible! Enormous fun to drive, very comfortable, very beautiful car. The Swedes definitely put their heart into this particular design. No problems yet with drivetrain, engine is strong and the turbo sure adds to the fun, step on it and you may not know youre doing 100 already! We lived in Germany for 9 months - our Saab is Autobahn tested and believe me, its passed every test, up to 235 km/h. The aerodynamics of the car are hardly matched by any other auto maker, its quiet and its very steady! I would buy this car 10 times over!

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  saab wagon 9-5 se - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By karen - December 12 - 8:46 am

  great car-practical and fun to drive-terrific cargo space-on star and phone very helpful.

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  Why did I wait so long to buy it? - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By C-ville Saab - December 12 - 12:36 am

  After owning 4 Saturns in the past 13 years I switched brands and bought a 2005 Saab 9-3 Arc. The sales transaction was as stress-free as any of the Saturn transactions and the final price was better than I had expected. The Saab is a beauty to look at and a hoot to drive. I thought that my 2003 L300 handled well, but not compared to the 9-3. It is quick, agile and smooth. I have a 15 mile daily commute through the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the 9-3 accelerates freely and handles the curves with no discernible body lean. I can point the car into fast sweepers early and it powers through with very little understeering. My only question is, "Why did I wait so long to buy it?"

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  Fantastic car! - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By lansen - December 11 - 5:13 pm

  I own five Saabs from a 1968 V4 to my 2006 9-3 SportCombi Aero. The SportCombi is my favorite: fantastic power and torque (I can take an S bend near my house in 6th gear and have to downshift in the others); outstanding ride and handling; excellent ergonomics; and Im glad to see Saab offering a hatch again and the SportCombi is close to the name of my 1974 Saab CombiCoupe hatch!

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  Saab 92X AWD - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By vkr - December 10 - 10:00 am

  Remember that the 92X is an all time AWD so dont compare this to a FWD. Its the best, affordable AWD in the market. For more pep choose the aero for 4000$ more than the linear.

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  Super Fun, but a little rattly. - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By COGuy - December 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive put about 1700 miles on my new 9-3 in two months. Very responsive, fast, corners great. Very slight turbo lag, but 5-speed overcomes this. Back seats are a little small, especially for a baby seat (passenger seat has to be fairly far forward). During the 30-day checkup, I had them check out a "clank" noise from the front axle, but they could not duplicate the noise. Seems to happen whenever I back out of the driveway in the morning. Ive also recently discovered strange rattling/buzzing noises coming from inside the door panels when going over 20 mph.

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  9-5 Aero - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Saabhlic - December 10 - 6:30 am

  This is the vehicle that provides it all--performance, safety and comfort. I have found no better choice in the price range that the 9-5 Aero occupies. The Aero Academy (2-day driving school at Road Atlanta) is the icing on the cake. I love my Aero!

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  Fun to Drive...great value - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By box3 - December 5 - 12:03 pm

  Fun to drive...Great Bose system...Getting around 26 mpg on regular gas so far...Great value...Just got out of a Benz c class and am very happy.

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  Great Gas Mileage - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By rocky67 - November 29 - 1:13 pm

  I just purchased a 2008 Saab 9.3 2.0T. The car gets very good gas mileage.Overall, it gets 26 mpg mostly city driving. (Lots of stop/go red lights etc., speeds less than 45 mph). Straight all highway/no city you see over 33-34 mpg. Very good job Saab. My friends who have Mercedes Benz and BMW do not see good gas mileage like I do. Because most of the engines in the high-end German Luxury cars are close to 3L or 6 cylinders. My Saab has plenty of pick-up due to the turbo.

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  Great car - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By GJP - November 28 - 10:36 am

  Very nice clean interior. Runs very well on the highway. If you drive in a lot in traffic, get the auto. It also has great a/c. The more options you get, the more confusing the driver controls become but for 07 they have simplified everything with a new dash and radio. The car gets better mpg than its rated mpg on the highway. Great all around car.