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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  Great Euro Drive - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Ken E. - April 30 - 8:00 am

  For the money, this is the car especially with the smooth shifting 6-speed manual. Vehicle isnt quick off the line but plenty fast and stable at high speeds. Much improved interior for 2007, great build, awesome paint color w/ Titan Gray Metallic. Much better car in terms of fun to drive than the lower end Bimmers/Audis. Pretty good gas mileage so far at over 25 mpg mostly city.

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  A fun car to drive! - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By RRuiz - April 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is just too much fun. I love it ability to accelerate from a high speed to an even higher speed!! :o) Im going to get a lot of speeding tickets with this baby!

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  Wagon? yes, but its a sports car, too - 2007 Saab 9-5
  By annm - April 23 - 12:36 am

  Could not love driving a car more than this! The manual transmission is fun to drive. The Aero is agile & responsive. While there are cars on the highway that are attractive style-wise, I bought the Aero wagon because I wanted a manual. Not too many manuals out there in cars this size. And not too many wagons.

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  Beautiful Car - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By nediamnori - April 21 - 7:23 am

  Pictures do not do this car justice. I love the fact they dont look the same as most vehicles. So what if they look like a "SAAB". Thats what I want. You can spend the same on a used Pontiac but I gurantee most SAABs are kept up way better because the owners LOVE them so much. I love cleaning and caring for it. The little quirks u may find "annoying" I love. What cars have a cup holder(s) like a Saab 9-5 ? The trunk is huge. Its a common sense great vehicle. 5 stars

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  Henris joy - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By henri - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive.Great audio system and nice interior eguipment and seats with heating system.great brakes

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  I cant belive - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By BIG NORM - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Im still amazed thats its 4 banger. The handeling & acceleration are superb.

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  Love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Davidr - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I was going to buy the Audi A-4 Convertible, as I really disliked the look of the 2003 Saab. My fiance really liked the 2003 Saab and not the Audi. Well, I decided to take one more look at the Saab, and found the totally redesigned 2004 was there and blew me away. But it and expensive- no deals. SO, back to the Audi, which is slow and poorly equiped(1.8T) or very expensive (3.0). So, knowing how cheap they were selling the Saab 2003 at the end of the year, I held out and as expected in two months the price dropped about $150 per month on the new program. Since, it has gone down anther $30! Drives like a dream!

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  love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By saabnman - April 21 - 2:00 am

  love this car, have had it for a month, well built, better than I thought it would be when I purchased. Only problem is that I wish I had considered Saabs prior to now. Have been driving MB E320, prior to that BMWs & Volvos - this is the most fun drive of all of them.

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  Nice car for the money - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By tony w. - April 18 - 6:40 am

  This is a really nice car and we get lots of compliments everywhere we go. Fuel mileage is good and the rear seat is bearable for children on intermediate length trips. Speaking f trips, there is actually room for luggage in the trunk with the top down, go figure. Good job saab

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  Well Built and Fast - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By aerodriver - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Saab, and it has been a blast to drive since I bought it as a dealer demo in 03. No problems whatsoever. The trunk is not quite as cavernous as my previous 9000 hatchback, but thats a small quibble.