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2009 Saab 9-3 Features Review

July 13, 2009

FEATURES | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

a hot Bose 11-speaker sound system
MyRide.com

all-wheel drive system should have more people talking
Kelley Blue Book

plenty of...cool stuff
Popular Mechanics

The 2009 Saab 9-3 offers a range of features and amenities that will please most drivers.

Mechanically, even the base 2.0T model comes well equipped for its intended mission. "Rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a built-in tire-pressure monitoring system" are included, comments MyRide.com. Kelley Blue Book likes the sport button on the automatic transmission, finding it "keeps the transmission in each gear long enough to boost responses smartly," but discovers it works better with the base engine.

Widely praised is the XWD system, which is now standard on all 2.0T models for 2009. Calling the system's operation "compelling," Autoblog remarks that "the genius is that the system does all this in 80 milliseconds, long before the rear wheel on the low-grip side even hits the icy patch." It normally "sends more than 90 percent of engine power to the front wheels. Under acceleration or in low-grip situations, the system's electronic brain sends torque rearward to enhance traction," states Edmunds. The system may also be combined with an eLSD (electronic limited slip differential) for the rear, which increases the 9-3's abilities in poor traction even further. Electronic limited slip differential is standard on the Aero V-6 XWD for 2009.

In the realm of convenience and electronics, XM Satellite Radio and GM's OnStar have been made standard for 2009. MyRide.com notes that "a hot Bose 11-speaker sound system" is a big draw, and they mention the optional Profiler system, which "consists of a set of steering wheel-mounted controls and a 6.5-inch-wide color display screen at the top center of the instrument panel" that has readings for most functions such as climate control, clock, and vehicle speed. This option, as well as the rest of the dash lighting, may be turned off completely with the exception of the speedometer, a feature Saab has offered for years. Also optional are a DVD-based navigation system and a moonroof, and 2009 brings the updated OnStar 8.0, with turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth.

Conclusion

The 2009 Saab 9-3 is competitively equipped and covers most of the bases.

FEATURES | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:a hot Bose 11-speaker sound systemMyRide.comall-wheel drive system should have more people talkingKelley Blue Bookplenty of...cool stuffPopular Mechanics The 2009 Saab 9-3 offers a range of features and amenities that will please most drivers. Mechanically, even the base 2.0T model comes well equipped for its intended mission. "Rain-sensing windshield wipers, and a built-in tire-pressure monitoring system" are included, comments MyRide.com. Kelley Blue Book likes the sport button on the automatic transmission, finding it "keeps the transmission in each gear long enough to boost responses smartly," but discovers it works better with the base engine. Widely praised is the XWD system, which is now standard on all 2.0T models for 2009. Calling the system's operation "compelling," Autoblog remarks that "the genius is that the system does all this in 80 milliseconds, long before the rear wheel on the low-grip side even hits the icy patch." It normally "sends more than 90 percent of engine power to the front wheels. Under acceleration or in low-grip situations, the system's electronic brain sends torque rearward to enhance traction," states Edmunds. The system may also be combined with an eLSD (electronic limited slip differential) for the rear, which increases the 9-3's abilities in poor traction even further. Electronic limited slip differential is standard on the Aero V-6 XWD for 2009. In the realm of convenience and electronics, XM Satellite Radio and GM's OnStar have been made standard for 2009. MyRide.com notes that "a hot Bose 11-speaker sound system" is a big draw, and they mention the optional Profiler system, which "consists of a set of steering wheel-mounted controls and a 6.5-inch-wide color display screen at the top center of the instrument panel" that has readings for most functions such as climate control, clock, and vehicle speed. This option, as well as the rest of the dash lighting, may be turned off completely with the exception of the speedometer, a feature Saab has offered for years. Also optional are a DVD-based navigation system and a moonroof, and 2009 brings the updated OnStar 8.0, with turn-by-turn navigation and Bluetooth. ConclusionThe 2009 Saab 9-3 is competitively equipped and covers most of the bases. 2009 SAAB 9-3 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "distinctively fresh" Edmunds: "distinct Scandinavian charm—refreshing break from the mainline aesthetic" New York Times: "radical new front and rear-end redesign" Editors at TheCarConnection.com find that the 2009 Saab 9-3 has ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The Saab's other Swedish rival, the Volvo S60, is worth consideration; the S60 has more passenger comfort but doesn't feel nearly as sporty. At the top end of the 9-3's range, the BMW 3-Series might also be taken into account, especially in top 335xi trim. This is where the less recognized 9-3 seems priced a little high, at about the same as the BMW. The base 2009 Saab 9-3 2.0T sedan competes with the A4 2.0T, which also comes with a torquey, turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Next to the 9-3, the A4's interior is simply more stunning and opulent than that of the 9-3, even though the Saab's cabin feels pleasantly different. The Subaru Legacy GT, with its 250-hp turbocharged version of the automaker's flat-four engine, is priced about the same as the base 9-3 and offers similar performance, though it comes with standard all-wheel drive, a feature only offered on the top 9-3 Turbo X. Wagon shoppers looking at the SportCombi should also consider the Volvo V50, the BMW 3-Series Sports Wagon, or the Audi A4 Avant, while convertible shoppers might also look at the Volkswagen Eos.

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See the Saab 9-3 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999

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