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2007 Saab 9-5 Wagon
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What's New?
The Saab 9-5 received a major update for 2006 with revised exterior styling and a revamped interior, including a much-needed cleanup for the dashboard. The 9-5's three trim levels and three engine choices were trimmed to a single model with a more powerful engine, and the wagon became known as the SportCombi. Changes for 2007 are minimal: the Sport Package is now called the Aero Package, and an ice-blue Anniversary Edition will be offered mid-year.
Overview
Saab got into the big-car business in 1985 with the 9000. Larger and more conventional than the yuppie-icon 900, the 9000 offered a choice of sedan or hatchback body styles but lacked several of the 900's Saab trademarks, such as the deeply-curved windshield and between-the-seats ignition key. In 1999, just before General Motors purchased Saab outright, the 9000 was replaced by the 9-5. Unlike the 9000, which was designed in conjunction (and shared many parts) with the European-market Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema, and the 1994 900, which was based on GM's Opel Vectra, the 9-5 was Saab's own design. The 9-5 bucked Saab tradition by offering a sedan and wagon but no hatchback, though it did have the ignition key between the seats. The 9-5 received many updates but no major changes until 2006.
The 2007 front-wheel-drive Saab 9-5 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine and a choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Output is 260 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, though the manual-transmission 9-5's turbocharger has an "overboost" function that increases torque to 273 lb.-ft. for up to 20 seconds. Standard equipment on the 9-5 includes heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and the Night Panel function, which dims all gauges except the speedometer. Anti-lock brakes, front-seat side air bags, and electronic stability control are all standard, though the 9-5 lacks side curtain air bags. The Aero package adds a lowered sport-tuned suspension, special seats, and a pass to Aero Academy, a two-day performance driving course at the Road Atlanta racetrack in Georgia.
Saab's warranty coverage—4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years/100,000 miles powertrain/roadside assistance—is supplemented by free scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. With Saab's European delivery program, buyers can pick up their car at the factory in Trollhättan, Sweden, or in one of 15 other European cities.
The Competition
The Saab 9-5 competes in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment, which consists of 12 models. Buyers in this segment look for quality, performance, and reliability, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider StudySM and the Escaped Shopper Study.SM
The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM were the Lexus ES Series (75,987 units sold), BMW 5 Series (56,756), and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (50,195). The Saab 9-5 sold 4,992 units in 2006, a decrease of 17.1 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment include the Lexus GS Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M-Series, Volvo V70, and Audi A6.
The Saab 9-5 received a major update for 2006 with revised exterior styling and a revamped interior, including a much-needed cleanup for the dashboard. The 9-5's three trim levels and three engine choices were trimmed to a single model with a more powerful engine, and the wagon became known as the SportCombi. Changes for 2007 are minimal: the Sport Package is now called the Aero Package, and an ice-blue Anniversary Edition will be offered mid-year.
Overview
Saab got into the big-car business in 1985 with the 9000. Larger and more conventional than the yuppie-icon 900, the 9000 offered a choice of sedan or hatchback body styles but lacked several of the 900's Saab trademarks, such as the deeply-curved windshield and between-the-seats ignition key. In 1999, just before General Motors purchased Saab outright, the 9000 was replaced by the 9-5. Unlike the 9000, which was designed in conjunction (and shared many parts) with the European-market Fiat Croma and Lancia Thema, and the 1994 900, which was based on GM's Opel Vectra, the 9-5 was Saab's own design. The 9-5 bucked Saab tradition by offering a sedan and wagon but no hatchback, though it did have the ignition key between the seats. The 9-5 received many updates but no major changes until 2006.
The 2007 front-wheel-drive Saab 9-5 comes with a 2.3-liter turbocharged engine and a choice of 5-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. Output is 260 hp and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, though the manual-transmission 9-5's turbocharger has an "overboost" function that increases torque to 273 lb.-ft. for up to 20 seconds. Standard equipment on the 9-5 includes heated leather seats, dual-zone climate control, keyless entry, and the Night Panel function, which dims all gauges except the speedometer. Anti-lock brakes, front-seat side air bags, and electronic stability control are all standard, though the 9-5 lacks side curtain air bags. The Aero package adds a lowered sport-tuned suspension, special seats, and a pass to Aero Academy, a two-day performance driving course at the Road Atlanta racetrack in Georgia.
Saab's warranty coverage—4 years/50,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 5 years/100,000 miles powertrain/roadside assistance—is supplemented by free scheduled maintenance for 3 years or 36,000 miles. With Saab's European delivery program, buyers can pick up their car at the factory in Trollhättan, Sweden, or in one of 15 other European cities.
The Competition
The Saab 9-5 competes in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment, which consists of 12 models. Buyers in this segment look for quality, performance, and reliability, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider StudySM and the Escaped Shopper Study.SM
The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,SM were the Lexus ES Series (75,987 units sold), BMW 5 Series (56,756), and Mercedes-Benz E-Class (50,195). The Saab 9-5 sold 4,992 units in 2006, a decrease of 17.1 percent compared to the previous year. Other models offered in the Midsize Premium Conventional segment include the Lexus GS Series, Cadillac STS, Infiniti M-Series, Volvo V70, and Audi A6.
