Overview & Reviews

The 2006 model year brings a refresh to the Saab 9-5, as the company hopes to extend its life cycle several more years. Highlights include an exterior face-lift, a retuned suspension, a new control layout and a price cut of about $2,000. The familiar Linear, Arc and Aero trim levels are history, as the sedan and wagon come in one model apiece. The wagon is now called the SportCombi as on the 9-3 line. Equipment is similar to last year's Arc model, though 17-inch wheels and the high-output version of the 2.3-liter turbo four are now standard. A revised intake results in 10 extra horsepower for a total of 260. The old Aero's sport suspension is optional.

• Long list of standard features, exceptionally supportive front seats, plenty of cargo space, simple controls.

• Turbo four lacks refinement, ride can be harsh at times, torque steer under hard acceleration, excessive wind noise, some low-grade interior materials, no rear-seat airbags.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 46.00

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  More rattles than a box of biscuits - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By charles pinnick - November 20 - 8:06 pm

  Lovely car for the price but unfortunately I bought it new and could not get much of a deal. I am a slender 170lbs yet the cushion bottom on my leather ventilated sport-seats has gone nearly flat and I am sitting on the frame. Dealership said they fixed it by putting a new one in (and billing Saab no doubt) but I believe they simply turned it over and puffed it out. Bad for the back - and that is one of the reasons I bought my second Saab 9-5. The rattles on this car KILL me. The plastics are low-grade economy plastics and there are more rattles in this new design than there were in the older vehicle. These new vintages suffer from shoddier plastics--Saab says 1 yr on rattles-bs!

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  Finally Bought One - No Regrets - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By highegt - April 28 - 6:56 pm

  Styling like nothing else - gets looks from all sorts of folks - very fast car, especially when selecting sport mode - easily gets to autobahn speeds and slows back down - handles great - gas mileage is in the 30s driving from LI through NYC to NJ and back each day. As long as I drive normal - very comfortable with great sound system sunroof open has no cabin buffet - wagon design very useful with kids. Regarding vibration complaints in other reviews, this is a 4 cyl putting out 260HP - you want an appliance, buy something else. Great used value!

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  Amazing car for the price! - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By clg - August 24 - 9:50 am

  The 2006 Saab 9-5 is a WHOLE lot of car for its price and an amazing sports sedan/highway cruiser. Most optional features that get quite expensive on other cars come standard on the 9-5 including seat/mirror memory buttons, dual power seats, heated front & rear seats, in-dash 6 cd changer. Comfy and easy to use interior that is great for traveling even long distances with 4 people. Great performance - its scary how much pull this engine has. Floor it to 80 mph and it feels like the 9-5 isnt even breathing hard, plus you feel like youre only traveling about 55 mph! Yes, theres a bit of torque steer if you floor it but, hey, I think that makes the car a bit more exciting to drive :)

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  Saab 9-5 Combi - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By SaabGuy - May 19 - 10:23 pm

  I love this car. It is unique in all respects. The fit and finish equals or exceeds other premium German or Japanese cars. Its safe, economical and contemporary.

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  Beautiful Car - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By nediamnori - April 21 - 7:23 am

  Pictures do not do this car justice. I love the fact they dont look the same as most vehicles. So what if they look like a "SAAB". Thats what I want. You can spend the same on a used Pontiac but I gurantee most SAABs are kept up way better because the owners LOVE them so much. I love cleaning and caring for it. The little quirks u may find "annoying" I love. What cars have a cup holder(s) like a Saab 9-5 ? The trunk is huge. Its a common sense great vehicle. 5 stars

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  Second Saab wagon - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By nelsoncm - November 20 - 7:46 pm

  Its a nice car for a small family of 3, plus 1 dog. The 06 ride is fairly smooth (for a Saab) and as always, wonderful on the freeway. What brought me back to Saab for a second time was the comfy, supportive seats. Unlike Volvo, headrest is adjustable, which is nice when youre short. All the amenities are here, heated seats, satellite radio, moonroof. Roomier back seat than many other wagons. Decent warranty. Only one problem in first 6 months, a faulty airbag sensor, which was fixed under warranty. Because its a 4-cyl, gets great mileage. They manage to get 260 hp out of this little engine, so it moves, though there is more turbo lag than in my old v-6.

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  Fabulous Car! Terrible cup holders! - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By Mike Hoggan - October 4 - 4:33 pm

  Love exterior design of our 95. Not a lot of them on the road, so its unique and gets a lot of attention. The 2.3 L turbo is thrilling powerhouse with excellent excelleration, especially in Sport mode. Handling terrific, color, quality & design of interior materials great. But some wind noise and annoying rattle that has developed in moon roof that dealership service now tells us is common problem with 95 but very annoying in car this price - we are determined this will be fixed.

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  needs all wheel drive - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By carguy - December 28 - 11:00 am

  Although this car is front wheel drive, it was fun to drive. I have owned several Saabs, and this 9-5 drove as good or better then all of them. Saabs are known for their torque, and the new 2.3 turbo was strong from second gear on up (first gear was weak). Unfortunately, there is still torque steer under hard acceleration (negative of front wheel drive cars). Seats were very supported and comfortable, stereo was very good, it shifted smoothly, and handled well. If Saab made this all wheel drive, they would have an awesome car to compete with the best from Europe, the front wheel drive on this car stops it from measurng up to other sport sedans. Over all, for the money, its a fun, comfortable car

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  Great buy for the money - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By DED - December 25 - 2:06 am

  My first Saab. All the bells and whistles of a luxury car and then some-- for many, many $1000s less than the Euro or Japanese luxury cars. Great ride with plenty of power. This unique 4 cylinder gives great gas mileage (34 MPG at 65-70 mph) and has the power to move out at interstate passing speeds. Dont have to pay top dollars for a great car. Styling is classy and you dont see many Saab 9-5s on the road. A great car which I highly recommend.

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  SPAAB 9-5 Sport-Combi - 2006 Saab 9-5
  By BeefaBoy - December 2 - 5:50 am

  We call this thing the Spaab, its like being at a day spa. Ive been interested in Saabs since the early 80s when I was stationed in Germany, always loved their quirky styling. This is my first and its an incredibly comfortable and capable vehicle. Fantastic acceleration and handling. Very roomy and well designed interior. Theres a bit of acceleration steer when you really jump on it, but this car inspires you to just take it easy and enjoy the ride so not much of that anyway. I have however had it up over 110 MPH and you would never know unless you gazed at the speedometer. I have thought about getting rid of all my other cars and getting another Saab, maybe the 9-3 convertible!