Saab
Swedish brand Saab has suffered a rollercoaster ride, with its future being uncertain until it was sold by parent company GM to the small Dutch supercar maker Spyker Cars. But things are on the up with the launch of the new 9-5.
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Saab 9-3
The Saab 9-3 offers an extensive line-up of cars to suit a wide range of needs. The 9-3 hatchback and Sport Wagon estate are conventional rivals for the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, and offer their own quirky styling features inside and out. There is also a 9-3 Convertible and a chunky 9-3X with a jacked-up body. All of the engines are turbocharged, which means performance is punchy, although some of the emissions figures are on the high side, leading to higher running costs. The Saab falls short of its German rivals in the driving stakes too, but is certainly a distinctive choice that lies just outside of the mainstream.
Saab 9-3x
The 9-3X is Saab’s answer to the Audi A4 Allroad and Volvo XC70. Only available as an estate model, the 9-3X has a chunky bodykit and roof rails to mark it out from the rest of the 9-3 range and it rides slightly higher. Buyers can opt for four-wheel-drive on the petrol engined model, but the more fuel efficient diesel is only available with front-wheel-drive. Despite being dated, the 9-3X is very comfortable, competitively priced and comes with lots of desirable equipment as standard, including climate control, leather seats and an MP3-compatible stereo.
Saab 9-5
The all-new Saab 9-5 has been a long time coming. Although it’s the first Saab to be launched since the firm was sold by General Motors, the 9-5 still owes much to its previous owner, as it’s based on the same chassis as the Vauxhall Insignia, albeit stretched for extra rear legroom. The 9-5 gets a stylish body with many of Saab’s traditional aerospace-inspired design features. The interior is nicely put together too, although the seats aren’t as comfortable as you might expect. The ride doesn’t help either, as it’s too firm. Sadly, the 9-5 can’t match rival models such as the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It's currently only available as a saloon, but the estate version is due to arrive later in the year.
