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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  I hate cars but I love my Saab! - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By mcvolvo - December 20 - 2:00 am

  I love my car.

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  1999 9-3 - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By Heckler - December 14 - 10:00 am

  This car has operated flawlessly so far, except for one issue repaired under warranty (the temperature knob broke).

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  Polar Bear White - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Joe Scibetta - December 13 - 6:43 am

  I love this car. It is agile and nimble on the road. It looks different from the other coupes on the road. I am so happy with it that I have already forgotten about my Mercedes-Benz. I feel you get a very versatile and SAFE vehicle for the dollar.

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  Saab safety first... reliability last - 1996 Saab 900
  By oralmeddoc - December 2 - 2:00 am

  There were minor problems with the car after purchase. Major problems for the life of the car. I can rely on the fact that if the car is brought in for repair, that the car will not be repaired properly. I am aghast at the amount of repairs and high cost of repairs. In the final analysis, the car is heavy, safe, handles well. Unfortunately, the car did not live up to expectations as far as reliability and service.

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  That Saab is So Fine - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By adamthestar94 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  I think that saabs are very comfortable they are very good looking on the outside and the inside. When I was in a saab, I felt like I was in a different planet. When I was in the back seat,it was kind of small though. Well,thats about it.

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  So far, so good - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By remke44 - December 2 - 2:00 am

  A great looking sports sedan that performs well. Has all the amenities of its more expensive competitors. Ive only had it a short time, but so far I love it. You cant beat the lease deals Saab has right now -- Im saving over $100/month vs. a comparable Audi A4 or BMW. Its even cheaper than an Acura.

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  Fantastic Car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By missqueenbean - December 2 - 2:00 am

  Great car and very fun to drive. Several of the reviewers complain of annoying door rattles, this happened with my Saab as well. There are two screws in the doors which come loose after repetitive opening and shutting-- it took the dealer 20 seconds to fix. I was considering the 9-3 and the CTS when I went looking to buy. The 9-3 truly drives like a luxury car, which is more than I can say for the Caddilac CTS. Paying a little extra for the upgraded radio with the six disc changer and infotainment center is a must.

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  Combi is well named - 2007 Saab 9-5
  By Bluewater 42 - December 1 - 7:33 pm

  I like this wagon. It offers a ton of space for trips to the recycling center or the boat or 2 dogs and a blast around town, back roads, and the highway. If youre in the market for a mid-size wagon, and you like european brands, youll find a huge price variance between this and and a BMW, MB or Audi wagon. My wife has a 2.5T V70, very similar but a bore to drive. She loves driving the Aero, wants to swap cars. The engine is plenty powerful and it corners flat as my buddies 2001 530 Bimmer. I would recommend this car for someone needing a combination sport sedan/SUV. Tried 9.3 Combi, too small but nice wagon too.

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  I love my Saab - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Char - November 30 - 5:23 am

  I purchased the very first Saab 9-5 to be sold by the dealer in 1998. I compared it to the BMW, Audi, Lexus, and Volvo and found that I got more for the money with the Saab. I havent had major problems, just normal wear and tear, although, the center display is starting to become unreadable after 7 years. The car still drives great, especially in sports mode. Its quite a smooth ride. If I could afford it, I would definitely purchase another 9-5.

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  Saab 9-3 Viggen - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By maturbo951 - November 28 - 11:20 pm

  This car is a rocket. Perfect for those who dont want the norm. This is the ultimate sleeper.