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2009 Saab 9-7X Safety Review

March 27, 2009

SAFETY | 5 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

headrests and thick roof pillars interfere with visibility
ConsumerGuide

Three stars, front driver impact; four stars, front passenger impact; five stars, side impact
NHTSA

Acceptable," frontal offset test; "marginal," side impact test
IIHS

Saab has a longstanding reputation for some of the best occupant protection in its vehicles, but the 2009 Saab 9-7X is an exception. The aging SUV design upon which the 2009 Saab 9-7X is built just doesn’t do as well as more modern vehicle designs in crash tests that predict the likelihood of injury.

USA Today points out that during Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, ratings for the Saab 9-7X "improved to receive the second-highest rating of acceptable." While the IIHS gives the 9-7X Saab an Acceptable rating for its frontal offset test, the 9-7X still scores a Marginal rating for side impacts. However, tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) do not treat the 9-7X Saab well, and reviews read by TheCarConnection.com notice. NHTSA gives the 2009 Saab 9-7X three stars for front-impact driver protection, four stars for the front passenger side, and five stars for side impact tests. Cars.com is quick to mention that the Saab 9-7X’s safety ratings "trail those that NHTSA awarded to many 9-7X competitors." Crash-test results are surprising, given the list of safety features on the 2009 Saab 9-7X.

Driver visibility is decent on the Saab 9-7X, although ConsumerGuide feels that "headrests and thick roof pillars interfere with visibility" toward the back of the car.
ForbesAutos appreciates the "rollover-sensing, side-curtain airbags," while ConsumerGuide lists other safety features, including "dual front airbags...antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system w/ rollover sensors, [and] tire-pressure monitor."

TheCarConnection.com editors point out that while the 2009 Saab 9-7X does come with head-protecting side-curtain airbags, side thorax airbags are not standards as they are on most other luxury-SUV rivals. That’s a glaring omission for a vehicle sold by Saab.

Conclusion

The 2009 Saab 9-7X offers a just-adequate level of occupant protection.

SAFETY | 5 out of 10Expert Quotes:headrests and thick roof pillars interfere with visibilityConsumerGuideThree stars, front driver impact; four stars, front passenger impact; five stars, side impactNHTSAAcceptable," frontal offset test; "marginal," side impact testIIHS Saab has a longstanding reputation for some of the best occupant protection in its vehicles, but the 2009 Saab 9-7X is an exception. The aging SUV design upon which the 2009 Saab 9-7X is built just doesn’t do as well as more modern vehicle designs in crash tests that predict the likelihood of injury. USA Today points out that during Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) testing, ratings for the Saab 9-7X "improved to receive the second-highest rating of acceptable." While the IIHS gives the 9-7X Saab an Acceptable rating for its frontal offset test, the 9-7X still scores a Marginal rating for side impacts. However, tests by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) do not treat the 9-7X Saab well, and reviews read by TheCarConnection.com notice. NHTSA gives the 2009 Saab 9-7X three stars for front-impact driver protection, four stars for the front passenger side, and five stars for side impact tests. Cars.com is quick to mention that the Saab 9-7X’s safety ratings "trail those that NHTSA awarded to many 9-7X competitors." Crash-test results are surprising, given the list of safety features on the 2009 Saab 9-7X. Driver visibility is decent on the Saab 9-7X, although ConsumerGuide feels that "headrests and thick roof pillars interfere with visibility" toward the back of the car. ForbesAutos appreciates the "rollover-sensing, side-curtain airbags," while ConsumerGuide lists other safety features, including "dual front airbags...antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, antiskid system w/ rollover sensors, [and] tire-pressure monitor." TheCarConnection.com editors point out that while the 2009 Saab 9-7X does come with head-protecting side-curtain airbags, side thorax airbags are not standards as they are on most other luxury-SUV rivals. That’s a glaring omission for a vehicle sold by Saab. ConclusionThe 2009 Saab 9-7X offers a just-adequate level of occupant protection. 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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