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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  Great car and great value - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By PeteSaab - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Not a car for everyone but the combination of comfort, performance, and function (great big trunk, saftey features, etc.) made this car a logical choice. Many people talk about this car being quirky. If quirky means slightly different that most models in the pack sure. However, a personality does not, to me, mean quirky. While not a reason to buy a car, it is also fun to drive and not see a ton of the same cars on the road.

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  Saabs the one - 2002 Saab 9-3
  By driver dave - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Leased a saab 9-3 in August and I am extremely pleased with the price and performance. My previous vehicle was a BMW 740i which was flawless. However, performance was delivered with a premium price. The saab gives top performance at a reasonable price (especially with the rebate). As you would expect, the ride is not comparable (comfort wise)however, the saab is not in the same social class. Love the saab, highly recommend it.

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  Great new platform - 2003 Saab 9-3
  By nomorebmw - January 18 - 10:00 am

  The new 9-3 is a great car. Far superior to the rest of the European competition.

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  Without Regret - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By M. Coon - January 16 - 11:33 am

  I was looking for a high class car that wouldnt cost me too much (like BMW). This car is definitely the right car. I paid about $14,500 with 37,000 on it... worth every penny too. The car drives really well and has great pickup because of the turbo. I should also mention that I get 27mpg in the city on a regular basis... really great!

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  Terrible hot! - 2001 Saab 9-5
  By adonis23 - January 8 - 5:28 pm

  I live in the midwest and during this summer of 2012, we have experienced extreme daily heat (99-107 degrees F). My 9-5 Aero automatic usually performs flawlessly inside and out, but the heat has brought odd and annoying electrical problems: There is a "bing-bong" noise that lets you know when there is a problem, which would be helpful if it didnt do it every minute or two; the gas gage fluctuates from completely empty back to the accurate reading while the TSC/off light is on despite pushing the button, and I have replaced the same headlight three times this year. I love the car though. I drove to NYC and was able to get 31.0 mpg, which is incredible with 230 bhp.

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  Never thought I would love it but I do! - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By Helene - January 7 - 4:30 pm

  This car is amazing. I love it. I never liked the way saabs looked and never thought I would buy one. But when I sat in it ... I fell in love with it. I love the leather and all the extras! Im thrilled with it, and my next car will probably be a saab.

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  BEST car ever - 2003 Saab 9-5
  By Saablover - January 7 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in september of 02 and Love it. I had a 2001 95 se that was noisy and wasnt traditional. It has 10,500 miles on it and is still fun to drive. After driving a 5 series this wins in power,space and performance. Love the new tranny.

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  2.0T is the way to go - 2006 Saab 9-3
  By Daddydriver - January 6 - 12:46 pm

  I have had this car for almost two years so I have good perspective on this car and have had no issues. The turbo charged 4 cylinder offers plenty of power, especially at higher RPMs. Even enthusiasts will enjoy the base 2.0T engine. For max performance and control, I suggest using the manual shift feature with the automatic transmission. I have really pushed this motor to the max and it is equal to the task. The handling is decent for a front driver. The suspension is a little on the soft side during hard maneuvering but is stable. The Saab is a great commuting car, but the backseat is small, especially with an infant car seat.

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  Great Car - 2004 Saab 9-3
  By Bryan - January 3 - 4:43 pm

  I bought my Saab 9-3 Linear after driving a Honda Accord for 6 years. I have always loved Saabs. The car is fun to drive and handles beautifully on the road. It is a bit bumpy due to the lower profile and the sport tires. The interior is great, cabin is very aero dynamic with a great sound ssytem and full curtain air bags. Standard with anti lock brakes and stabila-trac handling. This is a great sporty car that appeals to those who want a quality car at a reasonable price that says luxury and sporty.

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  Solid Car - 1999 Saab 9-5
  By MAGICO - January 1 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive, its safe and has respecable performace from a 4 cylinder.