The midsize Saab 9-5 is meant to address to buyers acquisitive a midsize entry-level affluence car with a able affair of Swedish design. Through the years, the 9-5 has been accessible in several trim levels -- the high-performance Aero actuality the best accustomed -- and in both auto and wagon anatomy styles.
The first-generation 9-5 was powered by Saab's B205 and B235 straight-4 engines, and in Europe by Alfa Romeo's 1.9 JTD 16V agent straight-4. A adaptation of the GM 54° V6 powered by a different absurd airy turbocharger was accessible from 1999 to 2003. This agent was accessible alone with an automated transmission, and cars with this agent installed are apparent by their accompanying tailpipes. It was alone accessible on Arc, SE, and Griffin models. In 2004, the V6 agent was replaced by a aerial burden turbo straight-4 agent bearing 220 hp (160 kW). By 2008 this agent was bearing 260 hp (190 kW) alike in the non-Aero archetypal (US model).
The B235-based 9-5 models acquire suffered an abnormally aerial amount of agent failures due to agent oil sludge. This primarily afflicted the 1999-2003 models. Saab aesthetic the engine's absolute crankcase blast adjustment (PCV) for the 2004 and after archetypal years, about eliminating the problem. Additionally, SAAB created amend kits to retrofit to the 1999-2003 cars back they cannot be calmly adapted to acquire the 2004 and after system. Mounting complaints by 9-5 owners affected GM to action an 8 year assurance on the agent in 4 butt models, provided the buyer can aftermath affidavit that they followed the manufacturer's oil change intervals. Saab now additionally acclaim the use of absolutely constructed oil as a bactericide measure.
On November 9, 2009, it was accepted that Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Corporation (BAIC) would booty over mannurfacture of this aboriginal 9-5 bearing in barter for demography a boyhood pale in KoenigseggGroup, the Swedish automaker who plan to buy-out Saab from GM. Chinese assembly will activate in mid-2010.
Our editors initially anticipation appealing awful of the Saab 9-5 at its admission in 1999. But as the years acquire gone on, added manufacturers acquire redesigned their entry-level affluence cars for bigger achievement and abundance and added avant-garde features. In an entry-luxury auto allegory analysis conducted about bristles years ago, we ranked the 9-5 aftermost in a accumulation of six cars.
The Saab 9-5 has not been redesigned back its debut, admitting it did accept a contempo amend for the 2006 archetypal year that included an exoteric face-lift, a retuned abeyance and a new ascendancy layout. However, we still acquisition accountability with the 9-5's inclement ride affection on asperous pavement and unrefined ability commitment from its turbocharged, 2.3-liter engine. In addition, wind and alley babble levels are college than they should be in an entry-level auto and wagon.
While the 9-5 SportCombi wagon is still a reasonable best for ancestors use or as an SUV alternative, accustomed its ample burden capacity, in accepted the 9-5 is outclassed by its antagonism back it comes to what's important: aesthetic affluence and agreeable performance.
Current Saab 9-5
The entry-level affluence Saab 9-5 midsize auto and SportCombi wagon are accessible in 2.3T and Aero trim levels. A turbocharged 2.3-liter inline four-cylinder rated at 260 application and 258 pound-feet of torque admiral all 9-5s. A five-speed chiral chiral is standard; alternative is a five-speed automated with Sport and Chiral modes.
Although the accepted 2.3T accessories account includes best above affluence amenities, including acrimonious covering seats, dual-zone automated altitude ascendancy and Harman Kardon sound, the Aero trim akin is a advantageous upgrade. It fits the car with a sport-tuned abeyance that improves the car's administration capabilities. All 9-5 models affection alive arch restraints and front-seat side-impact airbags (that assure both active and torsos), antilock disc brakes and stability/traction control. Unfortunately, the midsize Saab offers no airbag aegis for rear-seat occupants.
Most drivers will acquisition the Saab 9-5's seats awfully comfortable, abnormally those able with alternative heating and ventilation. Materials affection could use advance in some areas, but commuter allowance is accomplished all around. A split-folding rear bench and about 16 cubic anxiety of block amplitude accord the 9-5 an added akin of versatility; the SportCombi wagon food up to 73 cubic anxiety of burden amplitude for those with lots to carry.
Recent anatomy upgrades accommodate perceptively bigger handling, and calm with a almost low barrier weight, accord the Saab 9-5 a active feel through the corners. Competitors acquire bluff reflexes, though, and torque beacon charcoal an affair beneath adamantine dispatch due to its front-wheel-drive layout. Ride affection is analytic smooth, but still a little acrid over bumps.
Past Saab 9-5 Models
The Saab 9-5 auto debuted in 1999 as a backup for the 9000 and has undergone a few revisions back then. The 9-5 retained abundant of its predecessor's characteristic lines, but replaced the 9000's five-door auto architecture with a added acceptable four-door auto arrangement. The wagon alternative followed a year later. In the beginning, the 9-5's calendar consisted of a abject 9-5 model, an SE adaptation arranged with amenities and a performance-oriented Aero model.
The accepted 2.3-liter turbo four-cylinder in the Saab 9-5 abject models produced 185 hp (170 hp for '99) and was akin to a five-speed chiral or alternative four-speed automated transmission. The 9-5 Aero versions featured a 230-horse, 2.3-liter turbo four with a chiral transmission. Initially, the 9-5 SE could be powered by either the light-pressure 2.3-liter (170 hp) or a 200-hp, 3.0-liter turbo V6, but starting with the 2000 archetypal year, all SEs had the V6 and the four-speed automatic.
Although it looked similar, the 2002 9-5 underwent all-encompassing reworking. Three audible models (Linear, Arc and Aero) now had their own appearance and accessories specs: The antecedent year's abject archetypal became the Linear and offered the 185-hp turbo four, while the SE became the luxury-oriented Arc and had the turbo V6. In addition, a new five-speed automated was accessible beyond the line, and the 9-5 Aero got a ability addition to 250 hp. Revisions to council and abeyance helped activating performance, while cyberbanking adherence ascendancy and adaptive advanced airbags added bigger safety. From a used-vehicle purchasing standpoint, activity with an '02 or newer Saab 9-5 is apparently a acceptable idea.
Detail changes agitated through to 2004, back affection agreeable was shuffled. The Linear archetypal was fabricated a wagon-only trim akin and the Arc archetypal alone its 200-hp V6 in favor of a 220-hp turbo-4. DVD-based aeronautics was added to the 2005 options list, and in '06, the 9-5 accustomed adapted exoteric styling, a revised abeyance and a slight hp addition to the high-output 2.3-liter turbo-4. Additionally, the wagon was renamed the SportCombi, and the accustomed Linear, Arc and Aero trim levels went abroad in favor of 2.3T and Aero for both the auto and wagon.
Saab Cars price list:
Current Saab 9-5 $30,155 - $34,790
2012 Saab 9-5 N/A
2008 Saab 9-5 $24,038 - $25,544
2007 Saab 9-5 $17,023 - $18,036
2006 Saab 9-5 $15,495 - $16,437
2005 Saab 9-5 $10,593 - $13,202
2004 Saab 9-5 $8,555 - $10,969
2003 Saab 9-5 $7,497 - $9,074
2002 Saab 9-5 $5,931 - $6,915
2001 Saab 9-5 $5,150 - $5,965
2000 Saab 9-5 $4,023 - $5,227
1999 Saab 9-5 $3,512 - $4,243
