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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  SAAB Arc - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Andrew McKay - May 12 - 4:30 pm

  The thrust of the turbo and solid handling of the car.

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  Style and Value - 1999 Saab 9-3
  By jrobinson24 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Being a SAAB fanatic (owned 88 conv., 95 900SE), I was looking for a reasonably-priced used sedan. 9-3s offer great value and lots of style, comfort, and power. 4-door hatchback offers tons of cargo room (please bring it back SAAB!). Automatic requires a heavier accelerator foot to get it moving, but when turbo kicks in it has great power! Lots of nice interior features to make you think you spent a lot more on the car. Reliability has been good, and SAAB service is great - if needed. I highly recommend this car, although performance freaks may want to grab the HO version that came out later in 99 with 200 vs. 185 hp.

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  First Saab not my last - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By RJM - May 7 - 2:00 am

  Just got the 9-3 Vector. Wow, clean lines, more power than needed, handles like its on rails. Innovations galore, some from old Saab some from GM, just a great blend. Tested G-30, A-4, BMW 3 and Baby Caddy.. 9-3 Vector is the very best mix of technology, power, appeal, and price.

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  9-2X - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By David - May 4 - 6:46 pm

  The 9-2x is not an Audi quattro, or an Evo, or an STi. But it doesnt have the price tag of those other AWD performance cars. What it does have is the basics that the WRX gives you, minus some of the WRXs boy racer bug-eyed-ness, plus a little swedish minimalism along with a superior warranty and maintenance program - for a few thousand dollars less than a new WRX invoice! Of course, Im talking post-GM employee discount pricing where the numbers went south of $20K. No car is without fault, but this one suits my daily driving demands (both rationally and emotionally) better than any vehicle Ive driven in the last 10 years.

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  SAAB convert - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By DJN - May 2 - 10:00 am

  The combination of great styling, handling, performance, and (relative) affordability of the new 9-3 Vector made me a Saab convert! Just as good as its German competitors, with better looks. The Vector is very fun to drive, no sign of torque steer or turbo lag. It handles great and has decent power. The interior is very comfortable and well laid-out.

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  awesome car - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Suey - May 2 - 10:00 am

  no sites on saab in singapore so have to participate in this one to get news on views and news on the car... have had the car for 2 weeks now and its so fun to drive! And like in the US, they are less common than Beamers...which are as common here as Toyotas are Do get an intermittent error msg about low dim light failure although the lights work fine.

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  A ton of car for the money - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Martay - May 2 - 1:36 am

  When I bought it, it was five years old and had 75,000 miles. I paid $7,500. All my friends thought I had spent $40,000 on a brand new car. The thing looks great, is extremely comfortable, and has a smooth ride. It is so nice to be able to drive 300+ miles and feel like youve been lounging in a recliner for five hours. Great power AND fuel economy! Ive put about 50,000 miles on it. Had to replace: fuel pump, fuel pressure sensor (expensive), a relay of some sort, a wiring harness in trunk -- parts are expensive, but given the number of miles I put on the vehicle, I am quite happy with its reliability. Am extremely happy with purchase, and would strongly recommend.

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  Great Value - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Kuribo - April 29 - 1:03 am

  Just purchsed a 2006 9-3 Sport Sedan for my wife. The 9-3 Sport Sedan is very well equipped so we just added Cold Weather package and Sentronic Automatic Transmission. It is much quicker than the old 1.8 Audi and the engine has a nicer character and better gas mileage. A really beautiful, under appreciated car.

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  Saab = Reliability & Performance - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By russ8128 - April 25 - 10:00 am

  About to turn the car in after 3 great years. Never a problem with the car. Great stereo. Saabs tagline, "People who drive a Saab, buy one" could be more true. Seats are very comfortable, heated rear seats a bonus for the kids. Power is impressive for a larger car. Sport function on the automatic transmission really make a difference (never used the "regular" mode - it made the car drag).

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  Super Saab - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By Saabboy - April 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought the 9 5 Arc w/ touring package at used w/ 4,800 miles. only 28K. Outstanding car. Love the sport mode and sound system. Trunk space is a huge plus. Plenty of room throughout. Great standard features and w/ two kids under 5, safety should always be considered.