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:

• 

  100% Mistake - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Displeased - September 21 - 2:00 am

  This car seems to have spent as much time being fixed as being driven. It is now in the shop for oil leaking from a vacuum pump and a broken bolt that was supposed to hold the sway bar in place. Just replaced the blower motor for the heater two days earlier. In the time weve owned it, we must have gone to the dealership at least 20 times. All I can say is if you ever buy a Saab voluntarily, you have just made the worst mistake in your car buying life.

• 

  Great car, does not hold its value! - 2005 Saab 9-3
  By Snaab1 - September 19 - 7:03 am

  This has been a great car. We received fantastic and professional buying experience from the dealer. Car has been getting awesome gas mileage (32 MPG highway), has been relatively reliable (3 burnt headlights in 14 months but other then that perfect) and is very comfortable and fun to drive. One thing I would like to caution is maintenance after free period becomes very expensive. My biggest complaint is this car does not hold its value at all. I have received offers of less then half the original purchase price from several different dealers, including original dealer, for trade in. The car is only 14 months old and is in showroom condition. It lost 13K in 14 months. GM discounts :(

• 

  2010 Saab 9-3 XWD with 64,000 miles - 2010 Saab 9-3
  By Sean Lucander - September 18 - 5:23 pm

  We bought the car in 2015 with 48000 miles. We love how well it does in the snow, we live in massachusetts and weather can be crappy at times. The fuel economy could be improved, however, i knew what we were buying so im not complaining. I would sacrifice amazing all wheel drive for 4 fewer mpg. we get 24 overall. On a trip from Worcester, MA to Lake George, NY we averaged 29. The car is fun to drive, simple to use. All the controls are easy and not confusing. The interior is nicely finished. The hard plastics are definitely chintzy general motors product. I also have a 2014 camry se v6 and the interior and fit and finish is not as good as the 2010 saab! The seats fold down and split 40/60. The dealership where we bought the car sold us a warrantee. We have used it three times in the 2+ years of owning the car. It is well worth it knowing that the parts come from Sweden and they do not manufacture saabs anymore. I would not like the car as much if i didnt have the warrantee. When people review cars, they need to realize that what they are buying is the same car they test-drove. That being said, know what youre getting yourself into and you wont be surprised with normal maintenance, do your homework and know a great saab mechanic. My family has driven saabs since the 70s. I have know a few people who have walked away from bad car accidents. They are safe as hell and well worth the premium in repairs. Its quick, but not as quick as the v6 camry with 268 hp. the saab has 210, but has amazing passing power on the highway and feels more secure than a run of the mill toyota or honda.

• 

  Couldnt ask for more for your $$$ - 2007 Saab 9-7X
  By dimaf999 - September 18 - 4:10 am

  Very good vehicle, much better fit and finish then the siblings. Engine is plenty powerful. Good handling. Very smooth ride.

• 

  Fun - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Gdsgn - September 15 - 2:00 am

  Fun car. Very happy. Zero turbo lag.

• 

  Saab lover - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By us-dane - September 14 - 4:06 am

  I got my 9/5 Aero about 3 month ago and im loving it so far. No mechanical problems at all.Driving 100 mph in the Saab is like diving 40 in other cars. It handles very vell and is comfortable to sit in for longer trips. There is so much power in this thing you can toy around traffic with all the power you want and precision steering.

• 

  Perfect more than 2 years - 2001 Saab 9-3
  By Sviden - September 9 - 10:00 am

  I own this SAAB for more than 2 years and so far the reliability of the car was PERFECT without a single fix for more than a 2 year. The ride and Handling is outstanding especially the low RPM High Torque which kicks at his Maximum in as low as 1900 RPM!!! High Speed handling is also fantastic. Dont need to mention the breathtaking Stereo which is old Saab tradition. There are a lot other features which I like. To make the story short - This is one Fantastic Car.

• 

  Very Impressed! - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Lisa in Michigan - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Was only thinking of buying a new car, but when I test-drove the Saab 9-5, I had to have it! I had driven a Jeep Cherokee for 7 years, and needed a change. This car fit the bill - made driving fun again and even handles better than my Jeep in the snow. Just about everything about this vehicle screams style - I get so many compliments. Great car at a great price (exceptional incentives).

• 

  Its been in hiding till now - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Tigereye - September 9 - 10:00 am

  Wow, what a car...wheres Saab been hiding all my life. Absent the hatchback this car is a real looker. GM has made the difference in this car.

• 

  9-2X happiness - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Svenka Aeroplan AB - September 7 - 7:26 am

  Everyone wants to know if the 9-2X is worth the price premium over the Subaru Impreza wagon which it is based. It depends on what is important to the owner. GM/Saab definitely overpriced the 9-2X at first, but late summer incentives convinced me to buy. I really wanted a hatchback (3-door), but no automaker seems to want to offer this handy configuration anymore. So the 9-2X gives me two extra doors i will never need for hauling the two of us to the park, skiing, or on a weekend trip. Fuel economy predictably stinks for a car this size, but part of that is due to the desire of the driver to truly exercise the peppy engine and actually utilise the all-wheel-drive. Overall, the 9-2x is superb!