2008 Saab 9-7X Quality Review

In GM's brand arsenal, Saab has always filled the role of the quintessential European mid-luxury brand. The 2008 Saab 9-7X features some of Saab's usual high-quality accents, but suffers from a few atypical oversights.

Ride quality and occupant comfort for the five occupants in the Saab 9-7X are admirable for cars in its class. Kelley Blue Book finds that the "sport-styled seats" are "comfortable," though ConsumerGuide feels that "firmer cushions would give better support." On a positive note for the 9-7X Saab, ConsumerGuide praises the "fine headroom and legroom" up front, as well as the "good headroom and knee space" found in the backseat. However, they point out that the "generally comfortable" rear bench seat "disappointingly lacks the supportive contour found in Saab's 9-3 and 9-5 cars."

The 2008 Saab 9-7X is a clear winner when it comes to cargo space. The Saab 9-7X boasts "80.1 cubic inches of maximum cargo volume--more than most of its competitors" with the second row folded down, according to Cars.com. ConsumerGuide agrees, finding that "cargo room is OK with the rear seatback in place and generous with it folded," and the front cabin features "a nice array of small-item storage space."

Unfortunately, build and materials quality on the Saab 9-7X is a distinct mix between the improvements Saab has made to the original GM it had to work with and the features left over from the TrailBlazer. Edmunds.com finds that the interior of the 9-7X Saab has received a pleasant makeover, but it is definitely possible to "recognize the vehicle's GM underpinnings--which tend to cheapen the Saab 9-7X next to stylishly sophisticated rivals like the Touareg and XC90." While the interior receives generally positive reviews, some elements of the exterior don't fare so well. Cars.com points out that "the tailgate leaves considerable gaps where it shuts, and the fender flares are little more than molded strips. These sorts of detail lapses might be acceptable from a lesser brand, but luxury shoppers expect more." On the other hand, reviewers at ConsumerGuide rave about the sound characteristics of the 2008 Saab 9-7X, which they say has "more sound insulation than its GM cousins" and "noticeably less wind and road noise than many crossovers or traditional SUVs."