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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  Little Room for Improvement - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By IamArchangel - September 16 - 10:00 am

  After owning this car for several months I can honestly say it is the moost wonderful vehicle I have ever driven...it runs like a scared rabbit on the short runs and floats down the interstate like a caddy when cruising long distance. Best of both worlds, I say. Dont give up the "boy" in you for comfort and style cause you have it all the 9-5 Aero!!

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  9-7X Poor Handling in Snow/Ice - 2005 Saab 9-7X
  By Jerry Clemens - September 13 - 7:40 pm

  Now having driven this 9-7x in two mild snow falls here in Reno I can say that the awd is not suitable for winter driving. The awd will not engage until over 20 mph and when driving 0-20mph you have No awd active and this suv goes where it wants when cornering or trying to start up and incline from a dead start. The 9-7X bucks and fishtails and ends up in about a 60 degree angle before if any help comes from the front wheels pulling. Stay with a true 4x4 with 4high, 4low on the fly option. I am returning mine under the "lemon law". Having spun out 6 times in a 14 mile loop to work. Not Safe At Any Speed in Winter. Also, No Tire Chains allowed per Saab,Usa/GM.

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  Good SUV value - 2009 Saab 9-7X
  By just right - September 12 - 9:03 pm

  Due to the incentives and rebates I was able to purchase a 9-7X brand new for 25,000. For the price this is an outstanding value for this vehicle considering it comes with a 50,000 mile warranty. Comfortable, fun to drive and the interior is better than the other SUVs I tested costing much more. The six cylinder has ample power and it handles the road better than the 4-Runner I owned. I know people like to point out that this is not a "true" SAAB. However, this is not a a typical GM offering either. For the price I did not find a better mid-sized SUV.

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  Starting to regret my lease... - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By saab93owner - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I just recently leased the first 05 Arc my Saab dealer received. The lease expires in a year by the way. While the car looks nice and drives nice, the interior leaves something to be desired. The night panel function is lovely but theres too many buttons and cheap plastic everywhere! Im also not impressed with the build quality. The doors have a junky, tinny feel to them.

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  going strong after 2.5 years - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By mgjazz - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Since initially test driving the car and drivng it off the lot, the car has performed flawlessly. I dont ask much of the vehicle, but it does everything I need it to. In its first 15,000, I drove lots of stop and go. Now, its smooth sailing every day. In both situations, the car has been happy and so have I, except for the traffic. Maintenance has been limited. The only surprise has been brakes - but I suppose this is due more to the stop and go traffic rather than the components. Out here where it gets hot in the summer (not as hot as Arizona or Nevada, but hot nonetheless) the lenses on the headlights developed cracks and were replaced without questions. A solid performer.

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  Aero Wagon rules - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By smark77 - September 11 - 10:00 am

  Got the vehicle with GM discount, with the discount this is an unbelievable car for the money, fun to drive, handles very well though not as well as my 540i but hey its a Saab not a BMW. The style is one of the best on the market, not the box of volvo or the odd lines of the mercedes. All in all, great car though it doesnt have the bells and whistles on the interior like some of the other luxury vehicles out there

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  Not impressed... - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By 92xsergio - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I thought that buying a new 9-2X would be better than my other choice the V50. Im starting to think the other way around especially since the interior quality isnt that great. The sun visors are slightly loose and the center armrest console is too. I still like the car, but theres better choices out there and too bad I had to find out the hard way.

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  Slow and quirky - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By dumpdit - September 11 - 10:00 am

  I know, I got the Linear and performance could be better, but the biggest downsides of this car are the random layout of the interior controls and the soggy performance and handling. You have to punch, turn turn punch to go AM to FM and the sound is the worst stereo in recent automotive history. The base engine has bad turbo lag and more torque steer than you would like. Better give it some consideration before jumping out in traffic.

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  Great car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By jh - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Best Fun Car I have ever owned/Great!

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  The fresh new kid on the block... - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By fedomg - September 7 - 2:00 am

  Many years have passed. Now, value for the buck has a new dimension with this entry luxury car, the best in this category I´ve driven. ¿5 extra grand for a similar equiped 330I? NO WAY. One thing is clear, once again BMW will have to rise the bar, if they want to keep market share. Bravo for Saab !