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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  Talk about some bang for your buck - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Tim - October 27 - 5:06 am

  It started out with a 9-3 my mom bought! I feel in love with it. She decided to buy a 9-5 ARC and again i was in shock. I decided my first car was going to be a Saab 9-5SE. I bought this car and had a trouble free ride until my friend hit a cement wall at 73 MPH... The outside of my car was crushed but the cockpit was untouched. I walked away with a scratch and that only happend because I put my hand up in front of the airbag.. Ive tried volvos, BMWs, Mercedes There is just something about a Saab.. Once you love it you dont go back to any other make! When you want a safe/sporty car dont look further than a Saab

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  Deal of the Year! - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By spidaman - October 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Saab, and clearly the best so far. The Saab 9-5 2.3t Linear loaded with auto transmission and premium package for $339/month lease is a great value. The luxury plus performance plus safety and utility is unbelievable. Even though this is the "low-end" 9-5, the acceleration is brisk (in Sport mode), the handling is responsive, although not super-tight. A very comfortable ride for driver and passenger.

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  Best sporty Saab - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Saab lover - October 25 - 10:00 am

  The Saab has an excellent warranty and also includes free scheduled maintenance. I love to take my friends for a ride and see their faces when they notice the acceleration on this 250 hp little rocket. Handling and ridde confort are superb.

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  Beauty meets power - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Zach Leighton - October 24 - 12:56 pm

  This car is fast, the sport button was always on for me, and you can tell when the turbo kicks in, giving you the rush of adrenaline. The interior is creamy and extremely comfortable, it is also the best looking wagon on the road. It is also the safest car on the road, I got hit at 60mph on the drivers side and nobody was even scratched! The only problem was the turbo not being cooled enough and breaking at around 70kmi.

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  Saab 9-5 - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By MEC - October 18 - 2:00 am

  Excellent car that is fun to drive

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  I am a Fan So Far - 2005 Saab 9-5
  By Bryan B - October 15 - 12:13 pm

  I love the look of this car, the wheels, the front grill, etc... with the black sport interior and the chrome style dash I think it is a great looking sporty car. Highway driving and parkway driving -- best I have ever driven. In and around town it is stiffer and you feel the potholes more than my wifes Arc wagon. Bottomline, I am very pleased so far.

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  Fun to drive & Cool to look at - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By david3d - October 8 - 3:30 pm

  The Saab Aero is a very fun car to drive, the turbo kicks in effortlessly pushing you back in your leather seat. The car sticks to the road, and in "sport" mode you can move in and out of traffic with no hesitation. The cars styling is aggresive let refined, with the classic Saab clam shell hood.

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  Better than Id expected - 2010 Saab 9-3
  By 2Saab - October 3 - 7:43 pm

  We wanted to replace a pick up for better fuel economy. Saabs tasteful design, functional and pleasing layout of controls, good fuel economy, safety, and good looks all factored into the decision. In the end our 7 year old Saab (purchased used) sold us on the new one. After several years of ownership, we still flip a coin over who gets to drive it. Instead of a van or CUV that doesnt handle like a car, we have a car that handles well, and still will accommodate a lot of stuff.

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  Amazing car thats overlooked - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By ****** - October 2 - 10:00 am

  I test drove many cars in the same category; BMW, Acura, Audi, etc.. I had no determination that a SSAB was what I wanted, until I drove the 9-5 AERO. Heres a car that is capable of reaching speeds up to 155 mph, but can still get around 32 mpg under normal highway speeds. It is rated one of the safest cars in the world. If you test drive this car, take it on all types of roads, but make sure you get it out on the open highway, you will find what little effort it takes on the pedal to watch your speedometer increase rapidly...

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  A4, A6 & IS lover converted to 9-3 fan - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Cork93 - October 1 - 10:10 pm

  Ive never been a Saab enthusiast until I saw my 9-3 with Navi. & all the ground effects & options of the V6 but with the 210 horse 4cyl. It is an awesome car to drive. I hope the reliability will be there for years to come.