Let's be honest, the Saab brand is not getting the attention (or money) it needs to truly compete in today's market. Between the rebadged Subarus and Chevys, along with the aging platforms with no redesign on the horizon, it's clear the General has other priorities right now (stabilizing its market share, rescuing Delphi, rebuilding brands it obviously considers more important -- like Cadillac and Saturn, etc.). So the "refreshed" 9-5 sedan must soldier on with a platform dating back to the Clinton Administration. When looked at through that prism the car is actually "not bad." Comfort and handling are "fine" while drivetrain performance and refinement are "okay." The interior design is painfully outdated, with the last minute, contrived cupholder (inside the center console) being the most obvious indicator of the "just make it work" directive the Saab guys undoubtedly had to work under...
Hmm...looking back at this blog entry it starts to read like one giant qualifier...which I guess it is.
By 1487
on April 19, 2006
05:13 PM
Haven't we had enough Saab bashing? I think we all know the 9-5 isnt a class leader. Based on equipment and performance it is actually pretty competitive with cars like the TL.
By ateixeira
on April 20, 2006
07:12 AM
As used cars, these can be a real bargain. Problem is, that doesn't help Saab much. It just means lease residuals are poor.
I don't like the new face much, either.
Their new concept was hot, but I don't see how it will apply to their cars. I hope they can surprise me.
By trackwrex
on April 20, 2006
07:54 AM
our team had the same impression during the press car viewing karl... :(
By dzlsabe
on April 21, 2006
10:56 PM
A shame that 95 was the test-mule for the then new 93 in 03 but got none of its advances. And that you have not driven the 93 in the four years its been out.
By chavis10
on April 22, 2006
08:54 AM
The BMW 5 series has the worse interior of the cars mentioned in my opinion. It's an origami project gone bad. It's as quirky as the 9-5 but the 5 series gets praised for it's "design"? Makes no sense to me. There's a huge verticle plane of black plastic dead ahead of the front passenger yet this goes unnoticed because it's a BMW. I think the 9-5 has character. Do I think it's the best design, no but it's no worse than the 5 series and it has no iDrive. Sounds like a plus in my book. Let's not forget what most people do with there cars, they DRIVE them on public roads in traffic. I don't care how the BMW handles, the new 5 series is terrible on the inside and yes I've driven one.
By tgillmer
on April 23, 2006
07:32 AM
Good post chavis. I think your right. The general public just wants a nice looking car to drive to and from work. And if you live in Miami like me -- to sit in traffic with. I like the 9-5. That said, it's def a step behind the other cars and should be MUCH better, but I think the price reflects that. Base price for 9-5 is $34K. Base price for 5 Series and A6 is $44K. I'd hope a buyer is getting something for their $10K. The TL and Lexus are fine cars and the price is right, but I think they lack personality. Just my .02
By 1487
on April 25, 2006
06:24 PM
The TL and ES350 are for people who want cookie cutter luxury sedans that can be seen at every other stop light. Saabs have always been different and have never been superior to BMWs or other mainstream luxury makes. The 9-5 is a decent car and you wouldnt suffer if you bought one.
By saablcp
on May 25, 2006
05:02 PM
Sometimes it's the small,trivial criticisms that bring a critics credentials into question.CASE IN POINT:The "last minute, thrown together" cup holder in the center console is the exact same cup holder the 9-5 has had since its introduction in 1998.
By editor_karl
on June 5, 2006
10:50 AM
Wow, Saab's had eight years to make it look/feel more integrated with the rest of the console -- AND IT STILL HASN'T HAPPENED!!
By uzumaki
on January 5, 2007
08:40 PM
It's very clear Karl doesn't have much love for the Saab brand. Hey, Karl is entitled to his opinion. But, as I read Karl's Saab reviews, I feel obliged to comment on both the 9-5 review and 9-7 reviews, if only to provide shoppers with another viewpoint.
I wholly agree with the comments of chavis10,1487 and tgillmer. The 9-5 is a very strong car. Yes, the platform is getting old, but it is solid and long production runs give manufacturers a chance to shake out a lot of problems. IMO, the new 9-5's are the best 9-5's ever made. Our 9-5 has had zero problems. For the record, both my Mazda and Acura were back at the dealer for repairs within the first month of ownership. Minor problems but annoying.
All the lastest gadgets DO NOT make a great car. The 9-5 provides nice classic luxury like heated leather front and rear seat, harman-kardon stereo, integrated XM/6 CD in-dash, power memory seat for driver and passenger, power mirrors, etc. What the 9-5 omits is useless hi-tech junk like BMW's iDrive & Audi's MMI: computer interfaces that have no place in a car. They simply add unnecessary complication to vehicles with very little value added.
I'm getting over 30mpg on the higway with the 9-5. I was briefly checking out the new Acura RDX until I saw drivers reporting 12 & 13mpg! That's progress? That's the latest and greatest? Forget it. Give me an older platform, a classic design and some solid performance, luxury and economy. That's why I chose the 9-5. And no regrets.
By captainz
on April 7, 2008
06:03 PM
Uzumaki - I agree with you 100%.
I've been driving Saab(s) for many years - my first one was Saab 99, 1971. It was the great car at that time with many features not available at any american car`at that time
I am driving now 9-5 Linear, with Eco turbo engine ( 'only' 185 HP ). that's plenty, especially considering the price of gasoline... and as you said - driving a Saab gives you luxury, good preformance and economy in one package... and I was never crazy about gadgets in or out of the car..... What is good is the fact there will be always people recognizing and appreciating what Saab cars are, and let's hope that GM does give them more attantion ( read $$$$ engineering and marketing wise)
Cheers to all from (still) cold Montreal, Canada