2009 Saab 9-3
Quirky all-season performance
Swedish carmaker Saab remains (along with the Saturn-rebranded, Opel-derived Astra compact) the most European accent in General Motors’ plethora of brands in this country.
It exhibits exteriors that manage to be distinctive enough to stand out among the field of similarly-purposed entry-level luxury/family four-doors out there, and a cabin environment with just enough of a sculpted feel in the dash and “different” frills - like the pop-out cupholder, Saab’s trademark centre-console ignition keyhole, headlight spritzers and not two but three windshield washer nozzles.
Our tester, a done-up 9-3 Aero sedan that bookended the Saabs I have driven this year (the other being the wagon version of this car, the Aero SportCombi), and in most respects mirrored that car, but in a four-door sedan package.
It used the same powerplant, the larger of the vehicle’s available engines, with a 2.8 litre turbocharged V6 coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission. The engine’s 280 horsepower are reached at 5500 rpm, so you don’t really have to thrash it to get to max output, and the surprising low-end torque numbers the 9-3 flaunts (258 lb.-ft.) come on at a much lower 2000 rpm.
The six-cylinder moves the Aero up to speed quickly from a standing start or when merging at highway speeds; and while it can definitely show off its turbo ability, you will want to seek out the manual-six tranny option to exploit the performance fully.
Automatic transmissions, though, benefit from Saab’s sport mode. The mode is engaged with a dash mounted button that when selected, keeps the transmission in a gear longer than ‘normal’ during acceleration, and also downshifts earlier, keeping the engine revving higher and extracting optimal horsepower. It works well, and wrings the most bang for your buck from the powertrain.
The 9-3 runs the power through all four wheels with what Saab calls cross-wheel drive, presumably because every automaker has to come up with its own name for all-wheel drive (seriously, that’s how all the Euro manufacturers do it - you can’t just say AWD, it’s got to be “Quattro” or “4Matic” or, in our tester’s case, “XWD”).
Not to belittle the XWD, mind you, Saab is quite proud of its torque-split abilities. Able to provide up to forty percent of available torque to a particular wheel to compensate for detected slippage, and fully one hundred percent to either front or rear-wheel pair when the onboard monitors feel it’s required. I have driven an Aero on a closed track recently, and I will go along with the company’s claims of the system being able to significantly reduce oversteer and understeer when pushed hard.
Before we go too far here, allow me to mention that the tester I used the past week was a 2009 model, and you’ll find a few changes in the ’09- one of which is the availability of the cross-wheel drive system on the more base-engined 2.0L model- but for the most part the numbers I am stating here are the same. Its outward appearance is overall unchanged as well.
Saab keeps the driving experience biased on the sporty side for the 9-3, with the test vehicle demonstrating competent handling, braking and a suspension stiff enough to keep the body upright and firm-feeling if you decide to slalom the car a bit (purely for professional journalism purposes, of course, not just because it’s fun). Expect to be able to feel the road, and hear a bit of exterior noise, though not excessively.
Black leather seat surfaces and steering wheel wrap gave the test model a comfortable feel, and passenger room up front was good (if not great). The rear seats are stingy for head and leg room for full size passengers.
The basic controls of the 9-3 are within easy reach, though the stereo functions are somewhat more complex than what are usually found in similar North American vehicles; and the instrument display is easily read with a contrasty white-on-black motif.
The Aero tester came with a high level of standard equipment on board, with all the power goodies one would expect, boasting amenities like park-assist system (for detecting and warning of objects behind the car when reversing) and auto-dimming rear view mirror.
Saab benefits from its GM parents by gaining the company’s very good OnStar system, which now includes hands-free calling and turn-by-turn navigation.
The overall package for the 9-3 is one of conservative good looks with a bit of unique flair inside and out, and a sporty enough demeanour so that daily use remains fun. Detractions from the whole experience are few, and my main niggling complaints are much the same as for similar models in its class.
It can get pricey in a hurry, particularly for the Aero trim. The full line of 9-3s start at $35,950 and the test vehicle (Aero all-wheel drive with automatic transmission) with its performance package equipment (including self-levelling rear shocks, upgraded driver’s seat and the aforementioned park assist system) came to an MSRP of $52,825.
Summary:
Strong Points
Weak Points
- - Distinctive interior holds charm of earlier Saabs
- - smooth engine
- - good brakes
- - not quite as unique as price tag requires
- - tight interior for taller passengers
Editors Rating:
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