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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  My first Saab - 1996 Saab 900
  By Claude - September 21 - 10:00 am

  I wanted only a Saab. Nothing else. I finally found a 900SE, 1996, 2 doors coupé, red, 5 speeds full, full equiped. No option missing. My dream! In Québec province, our french automobile buyers guide does not encourage peoples to buy Saab. They prefer BMW. They say that this car is dangerous because it is a performance car with front wheel drive. They say that it has to be rear wheel drive. I agree a little bit but with the winters we have in Québec I prefer a front wheel drive on snow and ice.

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  good test drive but no cigar... - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By PLM - September 20 - 2:00 am

  Generally very nice. I just couldnt get weened off the BMW addiction...so I leased another BMW. Still too much torgue steer and I found the seats a little uncomfortable with no natural place to rest my arms while driving. But this car is greatly improved over the 2001 Aero.

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  Nice Car with great Incentives! - 2010 Saab 9-3
  By jason60050 - September 19 - 2:00 am

  Coming from a Lexus GS350 this is quite a difference. I love the way it handles and the XWD with the 6 speed auto is wonderful. I could not pass up the deal on this vehicle. Almost $12k off sticker. Despite what they say as this being an outdated car with not a lot to offer compared to the 3 series, A4, etc could not beat the price with this one.

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  Never knew Saabs were this nice - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By Jdac - September 18 - 4:23 am

  I had been driving a sensible car for 5 years: Toyota Corolla CE; manual everything. I finally decided it was time to upgrade and consider BMW, Inifiniti, Acura, etc. I didnt really consider a Saab until an Acura I wanted sold. I love my Saab 9-3! The 2008 model looks great from the outside; its a comfortable and is a considerable power upgrade for me. The features are great and the value was unbeatable. I highly recommend that you consider driving one if youre looking at an entry-level luxury sedan.

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  Never Again - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By malco - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Having decided to move to an entry level luxury vehicle, I was looking forward to years of trouble free driving. Was I wrong! Although the car looks great and is well finished, numerous mechanical problems have diminished my enjoyment of this vehicle. With only 5000 miles on it. the car has been in the shop almost weeklywith problems such as an undiagnosed clunk/ rattle from the front and rear suspensions in cold weather,squealing front brake pads , locked hand brake lever . Other problems include strong sulpher dioxide smell when the car idles and buzzing front door panels .

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  Sobbing over my SAAB - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By roland11 - September 4 - 1:23 pm

  Thought I did enough research before purchasing, I was wrong. The car is wonderful when everything is working properly. Which was about 2 weeks! Have done more repairs than I can list here. Parts are often hard to come by and expensive! Unfortunately, Saab quit employing Aircraft engineers decades ago. Im an aircraft mechanic and I have no doubt their early models held up best because of their aviation background. Im convinced their partnership with GM was their ultimate downfall. If you already bought a 9-5, Four words: CHANGE THE OIL OFTEN! Change the ATF or manual GB oil often as well! Do maintenance yourself if possible. Mechanics hear "SAAB" and they see $$$$

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  Have confidence, get certified - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By RLS123 - August 27 - 4:16 pm

  I wanted the confidence of an extended warranty and something different than the run-of-the-mill sedan. I didnt know much about Saab, so my expectations werent too high. If you only look at Consumer Reports, you would never buy this car. However, its an attractive automobile with many standard features which would be options on another vehicle. I was concerned about it being a 4 cyl, but the Turbo gives it plenty of guts. Additionally, I have owned this car for over a year now without any cosmetic or mechanical issues. Its fun to drive with very little road noise.

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  First Car & $4,500 Loss - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By eurodrive25 - August 21 - 4:46 am

  I bought my 1999 9-5 as my first car from a sleazy car dealer with 132k miles. It looked great and was unique. I loved it at first. First week I had to replace the emission tubes. About 2 weeks later as I was getting dressed for work it died in the driveway. I rolled into the street, blocking traffic and looked like an idiot pushing my car back into my driveway. I ran a stop sign because it stalled and luckily avoided a collision. It cost me tons to fix fuel pump, spark plugs, and carburetor. Weeks after that the timing belt broke on my way to work. On the busiest street possible of course. About $3000 to fix. Sold it for $800. Had it for 4 months, made 3 payments. Lost 4k. Own a 9-3 now.

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  Mixed Feelings - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By AMB - August 18 - 4:03 am

  I bought this car used about 2 years ago with 88,000 miles on it. (My dad purchased a 2000 9-5 aero a few months earlier and I loved his so much I wanted one). Its a fun car to drive, love the sports drive option, and has good overall handling (except in the snow!) Mechanically...I always feel like Im replacing something! The turbo has gone once already, air filters, struts, brakes, and the oil needs to be changed constantly or the check engine light comes on. The pixels in the dash computer keep going as well and it always reads tail light out even though its not. My dad has had similar issues with the dash computer and it is expensive to fix. This is a car I hate to love!

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  Fun to Drive - 2007 Saab 9-3
  By Perfect for me - August 17 - 5:06 am

  I purchased the 60th Anniversary edition which I preferred for its "fancy trim" package. I find the car to suit me well as it is small, yet seats four fairly comfortably, quick on its feet yet provides a nice MPG and its stylish without being pretentious.