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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  Henris joy - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By henri - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Fun to drive.Great audio system and nice interior eguipment and seats with heating system.great brakes

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  I cant belive - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By BIG NORM - April 21 - 2:00 am

  Im still amazed thats its 4 banger. The handeling & acceleration are superb.

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  Love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Davidr - April 21 - 2:00 am

  I was going to buy the Audi A-4 Convertible, as I really disliked the look of the 2003 Saab. My fiance really liked the 2003 Saab and not the Audi. Well, I decided to take one more look at the Saab, and found the totally redesigned 2004 was there and blew me away. But it and expensive- no deals. SO, back to the Audi, which is slow and poorly equiped(1.8T) or very expensive (3.0). So, knowing how cheap they were selling the Saab 2003 at the end of the year, I held out and as expected in two months the price dropped about $150 per month on the new program. Since, it has gone down anther $30! Drives like a dream!

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  love it - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By saabnman - April 21 - 2:00 am

  love this car, have had it for a month, well built, better than I thought it would be when I purchased. Only problem is that I wish I had considered Saabs prior to now. Have been driving MB E320, prior to that BMWs & Volvos - this is the most fun drive of all of them.

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  Never Again - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By Sucker1978 - April 21 - 2:00 am

  HUGE MISTAKE! Infotainment system has malfunctioned every three to four weeks requiring another visit to the dealership and a vacation day from work since they arent open evenings or weekends. The parking break release broke, leaving my car stuck and needing a tow. The multifunction computer (distance to empty feature) seldom works. Horn stopped working just 6 months after purchase. I traded in a Passat GLX for this car...I can only plead insanity? Dealership has repaired all malfunctions free of charge and provided me with a loaner (in which I noticed the same problem for which my car was being serviced).

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  2000 9-5 - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By jopped - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I am a life long Saab owner who purchased a 9-5 after much debate about whether to jump ship to BMW. I have been happy wth the performance and reliability but frankly, it looks like GM is influencing too much. I keep looking back at the car and seeing a chevy, so I am thinking about selling for looks alone. Care runs well and reliable and smooth, although the stereo is no where near as good as my old 92 9000S. Still, my wife just bought the 9-3 SE convertable and we love it! So they are not all bad. Just disappointed in the styling.

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  Pleased with purchase - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By William - April 18 - 11:56 pm

  I bought this car used off a lease with high miles - 75,000. I have had no problems with reliability so far - crossing my fingers this doesnt change. I only drive about 5,000 miles a year, though. Handling and braking seem pretty good. Im happy with the acceleration though sometimes turbo lag is quite evident. The car is also pretty comfortable and has more room than my friends with 3 series and a4s.

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  Nice car for the money - 2008 Saab 9-3
  By tony w. - April 18 - 6:40 am

  This is a really nice car and we get lots of compliments everywhere we go. Fuel mileage is good and the rear seat is bearable for children on intermediate length trips. Speaking f trips, there is actually room for luggage in the trunk with the top down, go figure. Good job saab

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  Well Built and Fast - 2002 Saab 9-5
  By aerodriver - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This is my third Saab, and it has been a blast to drive since I bought it as a dealer demo in 03. No problems whatsoever. The trunk is not quite as cavernous as my previous 9000 hatchback, but thats a small quibble.

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  saab love - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bozotheclown - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. Its great and the dealership in Skowhegan Maine was awesome to deal with....