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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  supah fly - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By bogota columbia - April 16 - 10:00 am

  its a super duper car

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  Keep the top down - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By mwgallant - April 12 - 10:56 am

  I pored over internet resources to search for a four seat convertible that would handle my family of four and New England winters. I upgraded from a Chrysler Sebring and havent looked back. I traveld 100 miles by train just to pick up a rare Merlot color with only 8800 miles on it. Way better than the Chrysler even with 2 less cylinders! Put the 9-3 into Sport mode and get ready for some Gs. Real smooth ride with very little rattles. I have used the traction control to get out of many slippery situations. Combine it with Winter mode and you rarely get stuck. Purchased a 6 disc changer for the trunk on eBay at half the cost and had it dealer installed. Love to drive it topless!!

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  All around great car - 1996 Saab 900
  By mxracn746 - April 11 - 4:41 pm

  Have owned our 96 900S for about a year. Its a good reliable car. Has 143,000 mi on it. The only thing we had to do was rebuild the ditributor because the camshaft sensor went bad in it. The secondary air vacuum system keeps poping up a code in the computer of a partially blocked system, which I know its just water and I need to just take a shop vac and suck it out. I just clear the code from the computer every now and then. Other than that, Ive had absolutly no problems. we take it on 200~300 mile trips about once a month without hessitation.

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  Saab 9-2X - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By Reaxions - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Buy this car for what it is; a rebadged Subaru with a little Saab improvement (sound deadening, etc.). The exterior is unmistakable for the WRX Wagon and the interior is Subaru, through and through, with chaep plastic everywhere. I was very disappointed at the lack of power seats, steering wheel stereo controls, etc. The car has to be punished to get all of the 227 HP out of it and it does have a lot of body roll, though less than the WRX. The only reason to justify spending more money on this car than the WRX wagon is the upscale Saab name and a little tighter suspension. Other than that, save a couple grand and buy the WRX wagon.

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  My fifth Saab - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By Paul in PA - April 9 - 2:26 pm

  Another great Saab. Lots of room for camping and a comfortable ride. My gas mileage was 32 driving to South Carolina with the AC on full time (5-speed manual.) Just like a tank in the snow with four snow tires, of course. Just won a Peoples Choice award at Saabs in Carlisle at the Carlisle Import/Replicar show in May, so the looks are great.

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  Excellent car killed by inept marketing - 2005 Saab 9-2X
  By tonedebone - April 7 - 10:53 am

  Take one globally respected rally car, add a pinch of style and a sprinkling of refinement; Sounds like the recipe for success. Trouble is, Saab thinks just putting their name on Subarus econobox without any other major changes suddenly makes it worth BMW or Audi money. For what it is (a handsome, fast and agile wagon) this car can not be faulted. For what it claims to be (a premium branded vehicle) it falls way short.

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  ECO Power ! - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By buddhabman - April 7 - 2:00 am

  We just purchased the 2003 Saab Aero Wagon as my wifes car. We got a great hassle free deal from Saab of Santa Ana. The car is loaded and georgeous. Decided on it versus great deals on new 2002 Audi Allroads or A6 Wagons. The others are beautiful also, but the hinging factors were reliability concerns and gas mileage. The Aero wagon is just like any nice sports sedan. It feels connected, smooth and powerful. For the price and features, it matches well with the other luxury makes. The audis are a bit nicer inside and have AWD advantage, but you have to shell out alot more cash to beat it perfomance wise.

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  GMs New Vega - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By Charlie - April 4 - 1:43 am

  Towed countless times to shop or home (cant remove rust on wheels, dead direct inginition bank, failure to start, etc.). Interior falls apart around you (carpet disintegrating, rear brake light housing fell off). Blew shocks at 45K. Leaks antifreeze from unknown location at 17K. Trunk release, data display and seat heaters, inoperative since 50K

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  SAAB 9-5 Aero - 2000 Saab 9-5
  By vintravia - April 1 - 10:30 pm

  I love this car. Its quick, gets good fuel economy and looks expensive. The mid-range acceleration of this car is amazing and theres no turbo lag. I like how the engine is 2.3 liters instead of 2.0 because it makes it so theres not as much lag and the car doesnt have to rely on the turbo as much so the power band is much more linear. If you get this car make sure you get the Aero. Its the best model. It gives you 230 HP according to Saab (But its been said to be more like 250) and 258 lbs. ft. of torque. It feels even quicker than that though and it can really handle in the corners as well. The steering quickness and feel is excellent and it provides good road and even engine feedback!

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  ESP works Great too. - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By I Lovemine2 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I live in Torontoand was worried when the lease ran out on my SUV in the middle of the worst winter in decades. After a white out at 60 mph I was a believer. The Alero in front of me went spinning out of control. My car broke loose as well but as soon as I turned the wheel to correct it the electronic braking started. Before I knew what was happening the car was straight. The others were in a scattered mess all over the road and I just drove around them. The engineers at Saab got it right, I think I would have been on another car or in the ditch on the roof if I was in the SUV. Made my day. :-)