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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  Lovin it! - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Bossman - August 6 - 1:40 am

  Purchased this Aero sport combi and put 1500 miles in the first week. What a great car to drive, responsive, commanding, begs to go 80 plus. Smooth and exhilarating. Saab does a poor job in marketing casue this blows away a comparable BMW. Some minor electronic bugs that dealer will handle- otherwise A plus. Nav and onstar is the way to go. Surprising hwy mileage less than 26, hoping to do better when I slow down.

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  Love this Car!!! - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By mtbuster - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after a 20 minute test drive. I needed a car as our Ford Explorer (1 year old) was a lemon and going fast. The dealership gave us a great deal. I know believe in Karma!!! This car is great. We have had it for two years now with absolutely no problems!! My wife drives about 100 miles each way to work and says she feels like she is driving in her living room. I like the car so much I am going to buy another for me!!

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  My Sabb - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By J007 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive loved my car ever since I bought it. It is really fun to drive.

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  Great Swedish Sport - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By dtmarz - August 3 - 10:00 am

  My Black ARC is definitely the best Car Ive ever owned. My smile starts every time I click the key fob to unlock the door, and the light flash a quick Hello. Everything you read about the great safety features, can be matched with the performance and attention to user details (for the driver and all the passengers). Saab shows its serious about building a great car, not marketing hype.

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  Viggen, a classic sleeper car - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By VIGGEN LOVER - July 29 - 5:13 am

  Amazing car. Engineered like no other. Find a good honest mechanic and you will be fine. Avoid GM like the plague. Use resources for parts and advice and learn to turn a wrench. In no time you will know more about your car than the harried GM mechanics who mistake it for a Sunfire. A few mods and PRESTO! you have a 400 hp fire breathing monster. In my experience, this is an incredibly well thought out car which is engineered like no other.

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  I Like It - Aeros Rule - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By saabzerphun - July 27 - 10:00 am

  This is my favorite Saab. It is modern, crammed with content, joyously quick, solid, well-thought-out, safe, quick, still under warranty, fun to drive, and did I mention it is quick? The new- Saab dealer seems to want to take very good care of me, but the local used- Saabs-only dealer is a better bargain. I get 21-32 MPG and can rip off 6.6 second dashes to 60 and under 16 seconds to 100. It feels very composed above 125. Despite the good things Ive heard about its reliability; Ill probably buy an extended warranty before the 50000 mile factory warranty exires; some of the parts for this car are a bit expensive and I want to keep it for a decade or so.

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  Overall a great car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By ArcGP - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car after more than a years worth of research. Test drove BMW 325,Audi A4,VW Passat GLS,Acura TSX and found the 9-3 to have the perfect combination of power, luxury, and roominess. For the money, there arent many better options. The TSX was nice, but too bland and too much like the Honda Civic I was replacing. There is a slight bit of Turbo lag in the Saab, but not very noticeable. VW did not handle as tight as I preferrred, though it was a good overall value. BMW was a tad too small and pricey for what you get. Unfortuantely my Saab does have the door panel rattle problem, but Saab is working on a fix. Otherwise it is an awesome car.

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  new arc automatic - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By ronrr - July 27 - 10:00 am

  mild turbo lag...zoom. fun drive. love all the creature comforts. only complaint is memory buttons are unlit and a little unaccessable.

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  An outstanding Swede - 2008 Saab 9-5
  By Dan Sim - July 25 - 10:00 am

  I have had 17 Saabs of all variants since 1966. The Aero is the fastest safest and the most attractive of all. It has all the useful gadgets with out too much trendy clutter. audio is outstanding. The 235x17 tires, P6, are a bit noisy is a compromise for great performance. I am happy to get the final version of the 9000-95 evolution.I have had 2 of each. The orig. 86 9000T, a 91 9000T, a 01 95t Arc and now the 98 Aero. The 2.3 turbo remains a great motor, better than most 50% above its size. The Aero joins my 07 93, 74 Sonnett,73 96 v-4 and 68 96 v-4 in the driveway.

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  Fun, Fast, Safe, Practical - 2004 Saab 9-5
  By MarkJump - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Complete confidence in all driving situations using excellent power, brakes, stability or agility. Have owned this 1999 model for five years--deeply satisified. Post-warranty problems: CD player, throttle body, warped disc rotors. Totally satisfied with home dealers (Deel Saab, Miami & Secor Saab, New London, CT) and also others used away from home. Versatile, thoughtfully designed to the smallest detail, wears well. Ill hope to get another when the new model come sout; looking next for an Aero (more of a good thing)!