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2009 Saab 9-7X Quality Review

March 27, 2009

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

fine headroom and legroom
ConsumerGuide

the tailgate leaves considerable gaps where it shuts
Cars.com

Falls somewhat short in the areas of ride comfort
Kelley Blue Book

The 2009 Saab 9-7X suffers from a few atypical oversights—again, because this is merely a dressed-up, outdated GM SUV design—but otherwise exhibits Saab’s usual high-quality accents.

The 2009 Saab 9-7X offers a quality ride and comfortable surroundings for its five passengers, but it didn’t appease all reviewers. 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." Kelley Blue Book finds that the "sport-styled seats" are "comfortable," though ConsumerGuide feels that "firmer cushions would give better support."

According to Cars.com, the 2009 Saab 9-7X provides impressive amounts of cargo space, saying that the 9-7X boasts "80.1 cubic inches of maximum cargo volume—more than most of its competitors" with the second row folded down. 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 haphazard mix, reflecting the compromises between Saab’s improvements and the original GM vehicles that it’s still assembled alongside. 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." 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 2009 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."

Conclusion

The 2009 Saab 9-7X is reasonably comfortable, but it doesn't live up to the quality or reputation of the brand.

COMFORT AND QUALITY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:fine headroom and legroomConsumerGuidethe tailgate leaves considerable gaps where it shutsCars.comFalls somewhat short in the areas of ride comfortKelley Blue Book The 2009 Saab 9-7X suffers from a few atypical oversights—again, because this is merely a dressed-up, outdated GM SUV design—but otherwise exhibits Saab’s usual high-quality accents. The 2009 Saab 9-7X offers a quality ride and comfortable surroundings for its five passengers, but it didn’t appease all reviewers. 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." Kelley Blue Book finds that the "sport-styled seats" are "comfortable," though ConsumerGuide feels that "firmer cushions would give better support." According to Cars.com, the 2009 Saab 9-7X provides impressive amounts of cargo space, saying that the 9-7X boasts "80.1 cubic inches of maximum cargo volume—more than most of its competitors" with the second row folded down. 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 haphazard mix, reflecting the compromises between Saab’s improvements and the original GM vehicles that it’s still assembled alongside. 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." 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 2009 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." ConclusionThe 2009 Saab 9-7X is reasonably comfortable, but it doesn't live up to the quality or reputation of the brand. 2009 SAAB 9-7X STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: "a Chevy TrailBlazer with only slightly more-becoming clothes" ConsumerGuide: "some elements retain the cheap plastic feel of TrailBlazer and Envoy" Kelley Blue Book: "Far sportier and more sophisticated than any of the vehicles ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

If you still need a truck-based SUV for towing and want something a little different or more styling, the Mercury Mountaineer first comes to mind. It’s mechanically the same as the Ford Explorer, which, by now, is a very competitive model with good performance and plenty of standard safety features, yet the Mountaineer comes with a more upscale look inside and out. These models offer third-row seating and available V-8 engines. The Chrysler Aspen is a Dodge Durango in upscale trim, with a big grille as its chief distinction, but the Aspen and Durango arguably are more cumbersome to drive, yet don’t have much more room inside. The Toyota 4Runner is a relatively new entry under an old nameplate; it handles a bit better than most of the other vehicles in this class and has a full roster of safety features.

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See the Saab 9-7X in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005

Comments (1 total)

  1. By fred ziddah #1, Posted: 4/19/2009

    SAAB

    THE SAAB IS NOT TOO GREAT TO LOOK AT BUT I TRUST THE ENGINEERING WILL BE AWESOME.HOPE G.M. DOESN'T LET GO DWN WE'VE LOST GREAT MARQUES AS IT IS ALRREADY.

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