2008 Saab 9-5 Review discusses a geriatric luxury car.

Friday, July 25, 2008

2008 Saab 9-5 Review

The 9-5 is a luxury sedan/wagon that replaced the 9000 in 1999. Originally offered as a sedan, the wagon, dubbed the "Sportcombi" debuted the following year. It received exterior and interior updates in 2006, along with a boost to the turbocharged engine. It's accompanied by a long list of world-wide awards, including "Best Car" in 2001 by the American Automobile Association.

The BuyingAdvice Team Says:

When the Saab 9-5 was introduced, it was ahead of its time, with a long list of standard features that took the industry until now to include. Unfortunately, GM has left it to waste away, while other luxury brands have overtaken it. It's certainly not doing bad for its age, but it wouldn't be our first choice in its class.

What's New For 2008:

OnStar, tire-pressure monitoring, and rain-sensing wipers are now standard. Power folding mirrors are now included in the Visibility Package. The Aero trim receives new wheels.

What is the Predicted Reliability:

J.D. Power information is not available. Problems with the 9-5 include water leaks, poor shifting, defective alarms and cold start issues. It's been recalled six times for issues including damaged fuel pump tabs, weak steering castings, engine stalling and overheating transistors. No recalls have been issued recently. Expect above average reliability. The basic warranty lasts for four years or 50,000 miles.

Analysis Of Safety Ratings And Features:

The 9-5 earned perfect government crash test scores for the front and side, but the rear side earned 4 stars. In IIHS tests, it earned "Good" for the front, and "Acceptable" for the side and rear. Anti-lock brakes, front side airbags, active head restraints, and stability and traction control come standard.

Pros and Cons:

Pros
+ Inexpensive for its class
+ Comfortable
+ Available as a hatchback

Cons
- Old design
- Lacking full side airbags
- Lagging behind in refinement

Head-To-Head Competition:

The Acura TL has a bigger V6 with nearly 30 more hp and standard navigation, but costs about a grand more. The BMW 3 Series 335i has a V6 with 40 more hp, but costs more, lacks an automatic, CD changer and leather seats. The Mercedes-Benz C-Class 350 costs a few hundred less, and has a V6. But the 350 has 30 less hp and lacks a CD changer and leather seats.

What Others Are Saying:

"Moreover, as competition for the current 5-Series and Infiniti M, the Aero is worse than marginal; it's a curio, an irrelevance. No discerning luxury buyer would suffer the 9-5's downscale tactile sensations, and the Birkenstock-shod professors who used to resonate with Saab's brand values are now tooling around in Prii." - The Truth About Cars

"Saab's elderly midsize wagon is priced between lower-end models and pricey German ones. Despite a fresh infusion of power and tweaked styling, it isn't aging well." - Forbes

"I went into this test drive regarding the 9-5 as the elder statesmen of European cars and came away with a new-found respect for it. Yes, it's been around a while, and its face bears the scars of questionable plastic surgery. But the 9-5 can still hustle with the best of 'em, and that's what really counts." - About.com

Read more about the 2008 Saab 9-5 at the Saab manufacturer web site.

Published on Friday, February 1, 2008 - Email to a friend

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