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:

• 

  Sold on Saab - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By misha90 - September 26 - 10:00 am

  This is my first Saab. With price of fuel rising if I keep my foot out of the turbo I get 30mpg. Corners better than my 79 Porsche(Audi)924. Turbo lag is almost imperceptible. Huge trunk for a car its size. Very quiet on the highway. I like the info display on dash more than I thought. Radio is way cool some stations it tells you the song that is playing. I am sold on Saabs. Bought my wife 9-5 wagon.

• 

  "Double Pick" front and side impact GOLD - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Gerry - September 19 - 10:46 am

  Safety #1 "DOUBLE PICKED" by the IIHS for front and side impact GOLD, even the Volvo with its well known safety features was not on the top 10 awardees. Awesome car we where looking at the Volvo S60, MB C230, Audi A4, and BMW 330i... But no one could beat the price even with all the optional features tacked on. I could not pass that up, great car, nice ride semi road noise when the moonroof is up in freeway. My wife loves all the buttons, dual control climate control w/ filter, dual power seats, roomy back seats, and cooled glove box. They have really got a winner here now all they have to do is redefine the 9-5...

• 

  Great Value - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Daniel - September 18 - 5:40 am

  Ive owned this car for 2 months and compared to 5 Series BMWs, Mercedes E Class, and the Audi A6, Saab gives you more car for the money

• 

  Saab 9-5 - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Heapster - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The most unbelievably solid car Ive ever owned, period.

• 

  A great sport sedan.....a great Saab! - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Dr. Gilpatient - September 18 - 2:00 am

  The exterior styling, the smooth ride, the non existence of torque steer, the interior comfort....everything is just wonderful. Ive had my car for less than a month and while I test drove the BMW 3- series and Mercedes C-class, this brand new Saab ranks right up there with these luxury car giants. I cant wait to see what the all new 9- 3 convertible will look like. I hear it will be gorgeous! Saab is definitely on the rise.

• 

  Solid SUV regardless of origins - 2006 Saab 9-7X
  By Tom A - September 13 - 2:10 pm

  Yes, its a pretty mundane GM truck underneath the Saab-designed exterior. But its got a great engine that gives fairly good fuel economy for the class, and the ability to tow more than its competitors. Plus its more refined and better to drive than an Explorer, Grand Cherokee, 4Runner, and the like. And its got great value. But more importantly, its not like Ill lose it in a parking lot.

• 

  Nice Car. Fantastic Value - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By cman321 - September 12 - 10:00 am

  i have been thoroughly enjoying my new arc for a week. I look forward to driving the car more than any other car i have had in the past. The car is a tremendous value with the 3,000 rebate offered by GM. Plus with GM supplier pricing, 5k off total, the car is a great deal, especially if you hold off on the expensive options. My price was a bit more than 26k plus TTL. That is about the price of a completely stripped, cloth A4 with 170 hp.

• 

  Very good - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Frank - September 11 - 2:50 pm

  Everything is excellent, only the fuel economy is not so good, but you cant have it all.

• 

  An underated fun car to drive - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By anthony - September 7 - 2:50 pm

  Unfortunately Saab gets bad press here in the States. This is a fun car to drive, handles well and the one fact overlooked is its a safe car with many safety features for a convertible. Ive owned many cars over the years and drove as much. The seats (where you spend most of your time) are extremely comfortable unlike the BMW convertible. A virtual maintenance free car thats a pleasure to own and drive.

• 

  2006 9-3 - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By DetroitKid - September 1 - 3:43 pm

  This vehicle has been great. It has the ability to accelerate without the feeling that you are being thrown around the car. The overall comfort of this car is second to none.