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2009 Saab 9-3 Quality Review

July 13, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

any 9-3 has more tire noise than the class norm
ConsumerGuide

excelled in its ability to be average at everything
Autoblog

subpar interior materials
Edmunds

Experts at TheCarConnection.com find that the 2009 Saab 9-3 has some nice points, but is less than perfect when it comes to some details.

Edmunds states "the Saab 9-3's cabin offers decent ergonomics and very comfortable front seats." Up front, ConsumerGuide appreciates that "comfortable seats provide good all-around support. The 9-3's standard tilt and telescopic steering column helps tailor a comfortable driving position, though the tallest drivers might want it to go higher and may wish for more rearward seat travel." Kelley Blue Book describes the seats in Aero models as "seriously sporty."

In the rear, "backseat headroom and toe space are abundant," offers Cars.com, "but legroom suffers if the front seat is adjusted rearward. The center occupant must endure a high, hard perch and straddle a tall floor hump." ConsumerGuide notes "good head clearance" but warns that "knee space in sedans...is disappointingly tight if the front seats are set far back. The same goes for foot space if the front seats aren't elevated." ConsumerGuide judges sedans to have "a tall trunk with considerable volume."

Ergonomics and space efficiency generally garner respect, but materials, fit, and finish draw some jeers, as do overall levels of refinement. Edmunds contends "the cabin is attractive at a glance, particularly with the two-tone leather option, but closer inspection reveals low-quality plastics and inconsistent fit and finish." As for sound dampening, "any 9-3 has more tire noise than the class norm," points out ConsumerGuide. All seem to like the Saab's unique center-mounted ignition key, and Kelley Blue Book admires the instrument cluster, which they feel "was clearly developed for easy and helpful reading."

Conclusion

The 2009 Saab 9-3 has good seats and ergonomics, but materials are mediocre compared to most cars in the same price range.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:any 9-3 has more tire noise than the class normConsumerGuideexcelled in its ability to be average at everythingAutoblogsubpar interior materialsEdmunds Experts at TheCarConnection.com find that the 2009 Saab 9-3 has some nice points, but is less than perfect when it comes to some details. Edmunds states "the Saab 9-3's cabin offers decent ergonomics and very comfortable front seats." Up front, ConsumerGuide appreciates that "comfortable seats provide good all-around support. The 9-3's standard tilt and telescopic steering column helps tailor a comfortable driving position, though the tallest drivers might want it to go higher and may wish for more rearward seat travel." Kelley Blue Book describes the seats in Aero models as "seriously sporty." In the rear, "backseat headroom and toe space are abundant," offers Cars.com, "but legroom suffers if the front seat is adjusted rearward. The center occupant must endure a high, hard perch and straddle a tall floor hump." ConsumerGuide notes "good head clearance" but warns that "knee space in sedans...is disappointingly tight if the front seats are set far back. The same goes for foot space if the front seats aren't elevated." ConsumerGuide judges sedans to have "a tall trunk with considerable volume." Ergonomics and space efficiency generally garner respect, but materials, fit, and finish draw some jeers, as do overall levels of refinement. Edmunds contends "the cabin is attractive at a glance, particularly with the two-tone leather option, but closer inspection reveals low-quality plastics and inconsistent fit and finish." As for sound dampening, "any 9-3 has more tire noise than the class norm," points out ConsumerGuide. All seem to like the Saab's unique center-mounted ignition key, and Kelley Blue Book admires the instrument cluster, which they feel "was clearly developed for easy and helpful reading." ConclusionThe 2009 Saab 9-3 has good seats and ergonomics, but materials are mediocre compared to most cars in the same price range. 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:

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