New 2008 Saab 9-3 Wagon Exterior Review [ 2009 , 2007 ]
in Affordable Full Size Wagons
Based on analysis of 27 9-3-Wagon reviews and test drives.
Exterior - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 9-3 SportCombi has distinct Saab styling cues to subdue the typical boxy wagon appearance. The Los Angeles Times calls the 9-3 SportCombi "uncommonly handsome."
It's the windshield's slant that gives this wagon a sporty look that's undeniably Saab. The New York Times writes "the main appeal is aesthetic: the upward rake of the hatchback makes the wagon look tough in exactly the place where the sedan's trunk and generic taillights can be mistaken for any car on the road." The back end also has a sloping silhouette. "The car's distinctive look owes to its raked fastback-like rear styling, with taillights climbing from the middle of the tailgate up to the roof," the Detroit Free Press notes. The full effect creates a "serious" looking car for Automobile Magazine. "We like the side profile, with its rising beltline and falling side glass." Edmunds notes that a styling refresh for 2008 adds a "new grille, a more rounded hood and revised body-side moldings ... We suspect Saab fans will like how the grille's design pays homage to much-loved past Saabs like the 99 and 900."
