With only 210 horsepower, we wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t give the 2.0T much credence. However, we’re here to set you straight. This is one explosive little car that is tuned oh so nicely. With a great balance of low end torque and a surge of mid to top end speed, this little 9-3 moves with an authority you’d never expect.  It handles the road so confidently, you’d never even remotely guess it shares a variation of the same chassis the Chevrolet Malibu uses (Note to Chevrolet, make the Malibu feel more like this!).  With a low slung feel, the 9-3 confidently slices up corners with a firm but manageable ride.  On the highway, only a moderate tip into the throttle delivers almost instant thrust with near indistinguishable lag.  The 5-speed automatic transmission was smooth and suited the 9-3 perfectly (again, Chevy, hello?).  During our week with the 9-3 we only had to fill the tank once. Mind you this is with over 500 miles of driving. We can’t remember the last time we only had to fill a tester once, so it’s redundant to say we were impressed, especially with the engines performance.  
 
Slide inside and the 9-3 offers a distinctly late 90’s European feel, which is nice, but could use some updating.  The key has proper Saab placement on the center dash (which trust us, takes some getting used to).  You’ll also notice the “key” doesn’t even look like a key at all. Basically an extended key fob, it is all rubber and “plugs” into the ignition. It does contain a regular key hidden inside, just in case of emergency.  GM running gear is nowhere to be found, which can be good and can be bad. On the good side, the materials seem of a higher quality, albeit looking a little out of date (especially the climate controls). On the downside, if you’re used to GM design, it’s going to take a bit to get used to things.  For example, adjusting the speed of the wiper blades is done with a vertically sliding circular “wheel”, instead of a rotating cylinder. Setting the cruise control is done the same way. The leather in the 9-3 is feels thick, durable, and hugs your body like a proper sports sedan seat should, without compromising comfort. 

 Our 9-3 was equipped with the Saab Navigation system. Unfortunately, this was our only displeasure.  Among being too “dumbed down“ the system cannot be upgraded with new map disks, as the map information seems hardcode into the system.  If there is a way to upgrade the software, A trip to the dealer might be necessary.  If we had our way, we would have ditched the nav system and gone with the more standard CD player option, albeit with the upgraded sound package.

Having driven a new 9-7x only the week before driving the 9-3 (the 9-7x review is coming soon) and having a family member that owns a 9-2x, we were most disappointed in the lack of continuity between the Saab model line. Not one of the models we have driven (and we admit we have not driven the 9-5), had anything in relation to the other. They share no interior parts, and the 9-2x doesn’t even have the center console key, let alone the signature Saab air vent design (The 9-2x is really a re-badged cross of a Subaru WRX with some STi steering & suspension bits thrown in).  Saab should really re-think its strategy as a whole brand. The problem isn’t that they don’t have nice vehicles, because they really do, however a potential buyer doesn’t have a complete model line to “grow” into or through like a Volvo or Audi buyer does.  Of course, we admit these things take huge investments of money, but as the saying goes “the devil is in the details.” 

The Saab 9-3 is an excellent car that is well worth a spin if you are in the market for a stylish, European, fuel efficient drive to work everyday. It’s perfect for the up and coming manager/executive/salesman who wants a little more distinction than a Chevy Malibu or Pontiac Grand Prix can provide.  The extra cash you’d have to lay down over a Chevy or Pontiac is partially made up in the three years of free maintenance and the four year/50,000 mile warranty. The 9-3 nicely gives all get up and go you’d ever need with only the base 2.0T engine, but thankfully if you need more, there’s always the 2.8L 250hp engine on the Aero model.  Even if you have never driven a Saab, paid attention to a Saab, or even considered a Saab, trust us… give it a try. Even if you don’t end up buying one, we think you’ll be extremely surprised.