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2009 Saab 9-5 Quality Review

March 27, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

upright chairlike seating permits comfortable posture
The Auto Channel

materials quality could use improvement in some areas
Edmunds

passengers will appreciate that front and rear heated seats are included as standard equipment
Kelley Blue Book

One of the virtues of its older design is that the comfortable backseats have a wide-open view of the road—something the hunkered-down, thick-necked sedans of today can't match.

The cabin of the 2009 Saab 9-5 is one area where the car’s age is a benefit. With roomy rear seating and an elegant interior finish, the 9-5 is more comfortable than some competitors. Edmunds reports “most drivers will find the Saab 9-5's seats exceptionally comfortable, especially those equipped with optional heating and ventilation,” and adds, “passenger room is excellent all around.” Car and Driver approves of the “roomy rear-seat area.” The Auto Channel notes, "in both the sedan and SportCombi, upright chairlike seating permits comfortable posture and leather-upholstered seats are standard."

Edmunds says the SportCombi Wagon is "a reasonable choice for family use or as an SUV alternative given its sizable cargo capacity." Standard cargo capacity on the Saab 9-5 sedan is 15.9 cubic feet with split rear seats; the SportCombi wagon boosts cargo capacity to 37 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 73 cubic feet with seats dropped.

Leather-upholstered seats are standard on the 9-5, Cars.com says, but the Saab lacks the ornate wood and metal trim available on competitors like the BMW 5-Series and Infiniti M. “In addition, wind and road noise levels are higher than they should be in an entry-level sedan and wagon,” Edmunds reports, adding, "materials quality could use improvement in some areas." Car and Driver, however, likes the 9-5’s “restrained interior design and materials.”

Conclusion

The 2009 Saab 9-5 offers passengers ample passenger room and comfortable seating.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:upright chairlike seating permits comfortable postureThe Auto Channelmaterials quality could use improvement in some areasEdmundspassengers will appreciate that front and rear heated seats are included as standard equipmentKelley Blue Book One of the virtues of its older design is that the comfortable backseats have a wide-open view of the road—something the hunkered-down, thick-necked sedans of today can't match. The cabin of the 2009 Saab 9-5 is one area where the car’s age is a benefit. With roomy rear seating and an elegant interior finish, the 9-5 is more comfortable than some competitors. Edmunds reports “most drivers will find the Saab 9-5's seats exceptionally comfortable, especially those equipped with optional heating and ventilation,” and adds, “passenger room is excellent all around.” Car and Driver approves of the “roomy rear-seat area.” The Auto Channel notes, "in both the sedan and SportCombi, upright chairlike seating permits comfortable posture and leather-upholstered seats are standard." Edmunds says the SportCombi Wagon is "a reasonable choice for family use or as an SUV alternative given its sizable cargo capacity." Standard cargo capacity on the Saab 9-5 sedan is 15.9 cubic feet with split rear seats; the SportCombi wagon boosts cargo capacity to 37 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 73 cubic feet with seats dropped. Leather-upholstered seats are standard on the 9-5, Cars.com says, but the Saab lacks the ornate wood and metal trim available on competitors like the BMW 5-Series and Infiniti M. “In addition, wind and road noise levels are higher than they should be in an entry-level sedan and wagon,” Edmunds reports, adding, "materials quality could use improvement in some areas." Car and Driver, however, likes the 9-5’s “restrained interior design and materials.” ConclusionThe 2009 Saab 9-5 offers passengers ample passenger room and comfortable seating. 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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