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2008 Saab 9-5 Review

August 19, 2008

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

outclassed ... when it comes to ... refined luxury and engaging performance
Edmunds

2008 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium sport sedans]
Kelley Blue Book

still partying, er, driving like it's 1999
The Auto Channel

The Saab 9-5 sedan returns for yet another model year with minor changes, as it awaits a full model renewal in the 2010 model year. Automobile says “with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.”

For 2008, there are two body styles, sedan and SportCombi wagon, and both show their age inside and out. On the exterior, the Saab 9-5 has larger headlamps and a new hood, but with age, the Saab 9-5 has become a bit frumpy. “The Saab 9-5 has not been redesigned since its debut, though it did receive a recent update for the 2006 model year that included an exterior face-lift,” Edmunds says. Motor Trend notes, “The 9-5's new front-end styling features projector-style headlamps set in a unique matte-black housing,” but adds the “nose and tail fail to hide its long-in-the tooth styling and the doors and tumblehome remain unchanged (and are showing their wrinkles).” Automobile thinks that refresher gave the 9-5 “cleaner front and rear styling.” The Auto Channel comments that even though "the 9-5 underwent a significant freshening that included an exterior face-lift" two years ago, for the Saab 9-5 2008 "there's just no escaping the fact that it's still partying, er, driving like it's 1999." Kelley Blue Book observes that it holds a strong appeal to "purists who shun the overly high-tech approach and flashy styling so pervasive in today's luxury sedans."

As to the interior, it still says "Saab," but a new cliff-like face to the 9-5 instrument panel hasn't changed the fact that it's more than a decade old. At least it has easily readable displays and ergonomic layout of switches and dials. Car and Driver praises its “restrained interior design and materials.”

Conclusion

The 2008 Saab 9-5 hasn’t changed substantially in 10 years—too long in auto years.

STYLING | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:outclassed ... when it comes to ... refined luxury and engaging performanceEdmunds2008 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium sport sedans]Kelley Blue Bookstill partying, er, driving like it's 1999The Auto Channel The Saab 9-5 sedan returns for yet another model year with minor changes, as it awaits a full model renewal in the 2010 model year. Automobile says “with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.” For 2008, there are two body styles, sedan and SportCombi wagon, and both show their age inside and out. On the exterior, the Saab 9-5 has larger headlamps and a new hood, but with age, the Saab 9-5 has become a bit frumpy. “The Saab 9-5 has not been redesigned since its debut, though it did receive a recent update for the 2006 model year that included an exterior face-lift,” Edmunds says. Motor Trend notes, “The 9-5's new front-end styling features projector-style headlamps set in a unique matte-black housing,” but adds the “nose and tail fail to hide its long-in-the tooth styling and the doors and tumblehome remain unchanged (and are showing their wrinkles).” Automobile thinks that refresher gave the 9-5 “cleaner front and rear styling.” The Auto Channel comments that even though "the 9-5 underwent a significant freshening that included an exterior face-lift" two years ago, for the Saab 9-5 2008 "there's just no escaping the fact that it's still partying, er, driving like it's 1999." Kelley Blue Book observes that it holds a strong appeal to "purists who shun the overly high-tech approach and flashy styling so pervasive in today's luxury sedans." As to the interior, it still says "Saab," but a new cliff-like face to the 9-5 instrument panel hasn't changed the fact that it's more than a decade old. At least it has easily readable displays and ergonomic layout of switches and dials. Car and Driver praises its “restrained interior design and materials.” ConclusionThe 2008 Saab 9-5 hasn’t changed substantially in 10 years—too long in auto years.  2008 SAAB 9-5 STYLING | [5 out of 10] Edmunds: "outclassed ... when it comes to ... refined luxury and engaging performance" Kelley Blue Book: " 2008 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium sport sedans]" The Auto Channel: "still partying, er, driving like it's ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Acura RL has clean styling outside, a tech-happy interior, and standard all-wheel drive. The Lexus ES 350 is a plush, cushy front-drive sedan with good interior room and a powerful V-6 engine, but almost no care for sporty driving. The Volkswagen Passat comes with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, and is offered in a wagon version. The Lincoln MKZ is the polar opposite of the Saab, with a thick style, a retro-flavored interior, and gruff V-6 engines with front- or all-wheel drive. The Volvo S60 has a curvaceous style and V-6 power, but is due for replacement.

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See the Saab 9-5 in Other Years:

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

Comments (1 total)

  1. By  Street cars #1, Posted: 9/22/2009

    The Saab 9-5 Sedan is a bonny car. I was very impressed with its slick styling and high school design, especially the SportCombi model.

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