All-new top-of-the-line Saab is big, solid and sophisticated.
Courtesy New Car Test Drive
The Herb Chambers 2011 Saab 9-5 is all new, representing the first full re-design of Saab’s large sedan in 14 years. Measured by features, interior finish, space and smoothness, this 9-5 is the best Saab ever.
The Saab 9-5 probably isn’t the most thrilling car, in a visceral, seat-of the pants sense, but it’s well designed and executed in nearly every respect. Its body structure is as solid as the proverbial brick outhouse, and our appreciation for the 9-5′s strengths increased the more we drove it over winter-slick, beat-up roads during heavy commuting hours around Detroit.
This sedan was created when Saab was a wholly owned subsidiary of General Motors, and was ready to launch when financially strapped GM began negotiations to divest itself of the Saab brand. And while Saab is once again independent, the 9-5 carries a GM legacy. It’s built on GM’s Epsilon platform, which provides the foundation for sedans such as the Buick Regal, and its engines and transmissions and are drawn from GM’s global inventory. Experts who drive lots of cars will notice the 9-5′s similarities with some recent GM models, but consumers probably won’t. Old-time Saab enthusiasts will certainly see familiar Saab traits in the new 9-5, both inside and out.
Think of the Saab 9-5 as a big car. It’s roomier than most of its European competitors, providing interior space on par with the full-size Toyota Avalon and Ford Taurus. Yet it’s a bit more responsive in terms of driving dynamics than either of those cars. We found the interior straightforward and nicely finished. It offers one of the largest trunks in its class, with folding rear seats that increase cargo volume.
The new 9-5 comes well equipped, with leather standard along with seat heaters and driver-seat memory. It has more standard safety features than the federal government requires, including side-impact airbags for rear passengers. Options include a fine-sounding audio upgrade, rear-seat DVD and climate controls, and safety features such as lane-departure warning. Saab’s bi-xenon Smart Beam headlights might be the best we experienced. 17/27 mpg.
The 9-5′s turbocharged engines are powerful for their size, more powerful than many larger ones, and they can run on E85 ethanol. The 9-5 offers four-cylinder and V6 engines. The turbocharged V6 comes with all-wheel drive.
The Saab 9-5 Turbo4 is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 generating 220 horsepower and 258 pound feet of torque. The Turbo4 is front-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission comes standard, a 6-speed automatic is optional. We found the 9-5 Turbo4 delivers sufficient thrust with either transmission, and excellent fuel economy: 20 mpg city, 33 highway, according to the EPA.
The Saab 9-5 Turbo6 XWD is powered by a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 and comes standard with all-wheel drive. The engine delivers 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Saab’s full-time variable XWD is pronounced cross drive. V6 models are offered only with the automatic. We found the V6 models add horsepower and all-wheel drive to the equation, delivering fabulous all-season capability and a greater potential to thrill.
We like the new 9-5. It’s different enough to satisfy the different-drummer vibe that has characterized Saab through its history, but close enough to the mainstream to deliver the interior finish, features and trimmings that premium sedan buyers have come to expect. And we liked it more the more we drove it. Bottom line, the new 2011 Saab 9-5 is a good car by virtually any measure.
Herb Chambers SAAB of Boston
1172 Commonwealth Avenue
Boston, MA 02134
Toll Free : (888) 891-6590
Service : (617) 975-3900
Parts : (617) 975-3900
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