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2009 Saab 9-5 Review

March 27, 2009

STYLING | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

restrained interior design and materials
Car and Driver

with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.
Automobile Magazine

2009 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium sport sedans]
Kelley Blue Book

2010 is the year in which the Saab 9-5 is scheduled to be replaced with a brand-new model, but for now the 2009 Saab 9-5 continues with only minor changes, many of which are names for new colors. Both body styles, the sedan and SportCombi wagon, are showing their age, as Automobile Magazine notes, “with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.”

According to Edmunds, “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.” 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 Magazine 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 2009 "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."

The 2009 Saab 9-5 does show off revised power window switches in the center console, and although the 9-5’s interior still says "Saab," the cliff-like face to the 9-5’s instrument panel hasn't changed the fact that it's more than a decade old. At least it has easily readable displays and an ergonomic layout of switches and dials. Car and Driver praises its “restrained interior design and materials.”

Conclusion

A decade is far too long in auto years for a car like Saab 9-5 to not receive substantial changes.

STYLING | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:restrained interior design and materialsCar and Driverwith the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.Automobile Magazine2009 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium sport sedans]Kelley Blue Book 2010 is the year in which the Saab 9-5 is scheduled to be replaced with a brand-new model, but for now the 2009 Saab 9-5 continues with only minor changes, many of which are names for new colors. Both body styles, the sedan and SportCombi wagon, are showing their age, as Automobile Magazine notes, “with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.” According to Edmunds, “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.” 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 Magazine 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 2009 "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." The 2009 Saab 9-5 does show off revised power window switches in the center console, and although the 9-5’s interior still says "Saab," the cliff-like face to the 9-5’s instrument panel hasn't changed the fact that it's more than a decade old. At least it has easily readable displays and an ergonomic layout of switches and dials. Car and Driver praises its “restrained interior design and materials.” ConclusionA decade is far too long in auto years for a car like Saab 9-5 to not receive substantial changes. 2009 SAAB 9-5 STYLING | [5 out of 10] Car and Driver: “restrained interior design and materials” Automobile Magazine: “with the current car dating back to 1998, an all-new 9-5 is long past due.” Kelley Blue Book: " 2009 Saab 9-5 is neither as premium nor as sporty [as other premium ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Volvo S60 has a curvaceous style and V-6 power, but is due for replacement for 2010. 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 Volkswagen Passat comes with a range of four- and six-cylinder engines, and is offered in a wagon version. 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 Acura RL has clean styling outside, a tech-happy interior, and standard all-wheel drive.

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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 (2 total)

  1. By L.N. Wright #1, Posted: 3/29/2009

    Saab 9-5 review

    In my humble opinion the Saab 9-5 has an excellent 5 speed automatic transmission. Steering mounted paddle shifters are standard. How many other upscale cars have this feature? Answer:- not many. Stability control is also standard and in my experience greatly mitigates torque steer under hard acceleration. Just point the car in the direction you want to go and it goes where you want it. Understeer? What understeer? The traction and stability control analyzes steering inputs, yaw, and throttle position then automatically modulates power, braking to each wheel, as well as power to the drive wheels making the car go around corners as if on rails. The Saab 9-5 has superior acceleration, and braking compared to most of the newer upscale cars including the BMW 5 series. Check the stats at Cars.com. Better fuel economy that most upscale cars. I own a 9-5 and after getting accustomed to it's dynamics I can make the power delivery smooth or for more fun stomp that accelerator for an almost instant power surge when needed. Real leather seats instead of "pleather" used on other upscale cars example again the BMW 5 series. Heated and cooled seats, Xenon headlamps, super climate control, and did I mention the seats. Yes the seats are the best, most comfortable on long rides. The car is a blast to drive. After a hard day at the office it bring a grin to my face. I don't care that the design is more than 10 years old and that it is a 4 cylinder car. The powerful 260 turbo charged engine with it's massive torque from only 1700 r.p.m. and the transmission are bulletproof. It just works great, and has been a very reliable car so far. The bottom line is this is a great car with many class leading features, even though it is an over 10 year old design.

  2. By WASawyer #2, Posted: 5/21/2009

    SAAB 9-5 Comments

    Could not agree with L.N. Wright more. Anyone considering buying a SAAB should talk to people who own them or test drive one. These cars are wonderful. I have a 2008 Aero and owned a 2001 (150K) prior to this one. If you want a car with verve, not a 'me too' car, the 9-5 is it. And with the deals being offered there is tremendous value here. All new 9-5's come with the HOT turbo; imagine - a 2.3L in line 4 engine that produces 260HP, and gets 30+ MPG on the highway (don't need a V6 or V8) The SAAB ethos -enviro friendly, performance, comfort, and value. Not alot of bling and jewelry. I just hope the SAAB ethos is not lost in the forthcoming 2010 as SAAB is being forced into 'me too' territory.
    Don't listen to the talk about the car being old or not as premium; it can hang with the best of em and drive better than the most of em.
    'find your own road'

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