2009 Saab 9-3 Wagon
- 2008 Saab 9-3 Wagon
in Affordable Full Size Wagons
Based on analysis of 5 9-3-Wagon reviews and test drives.
Saab 9-3 Wagon - What the Auto Press Says
The 2009 Saab 9-3 Wagon ranks 7 out of 7 Affordable Full Size Wagons. This ranking is based on our analysis of 5 published reviews and test drives of the Saab 9-3 Wagon, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Saab 9-3 SportCombi is for drivers who need a wagon but want a sport sedan and don't mind standing out.
Like the rest of the Saab line up the 9-3 SportCombi is "born from jets." In the case of the 9-3 SportCombi, that's a cargo jet. Wagon versitiliy is married to Saab sport sedan performance in a package that most reviewers like. Car and Driver says the 9-3 SportCombi is a "premium wagon version of the mid-size 9-3 sedan ... built for comfort and speed and cargo ... what's not to like?"
The SportCombi has is an all-wheel drive system that improves driver involvement and complements its quirky nature. But the Saab 9-3 SportCombi is pricier than some competitors and doesn't have a reputation for value over time. Its interior materials disappoint, and Saabs future as a subsidiary of General Motors is uncertain -- Saab has declared bankruptcy in its home country and hopes to emerge as a separate company.
If you can deal with the uncertainty about the companies future, you can likely get a great bargain on a Saab right now, but if you want sporty driving and a company that's definitely going to be around to support your purchase, consider the Volkswagen Passat Wagon or the Subaru Outback. If you're determined to keep your automotive money flowing into Sweden, check out the Volvo V50, which offers sporty driver performance that's traditionally been Saab's territory.
The wagon is available in two trims, the 2.0T base trim and the sportier Aero.
- "Though the [Saab] 9-3 is a more conventional car than Saabs past, driving one is still a unique experience that starts the moment you turn the key." -- About.com
- "The 2009 Saab 9-3 is still an able, attractive entry-luxury car, but German and Japanese rivals possess newer designs, superior performance and better build quality." -- Edmunds
- "Wagon, SportCombi....whatever. The most important point is that the 9-3 5-door lives again." -- Road and Track
- "The SportCombi is a nice combination of sportiness and hauling function in a pretty, modern wrapper that offers nearly 60 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat flopped out of the way." -- Automotive.com
- "I think sport wagons are the coolest kinds of cars on Earth, cars that give virtually nothing away compared with their sport sedan siblings while offering major cargo- and people-moving qwan. Our test vehicle, a SportCombi with the performance Aero package, boldfaces the point." -- LA Times
9-3-Wagon Performance - 7.3 (Good)
Test drivers find that the 9-3 SportCombi is powerful and handles well enough to make you forget you're driving a wagon. According to USA Today, "Steering, braking, cornering all were crisp and sporty without imposing harshness or hair-trigger reactions." Read More
9-3-Wagon Exterior - 7.3 (Good)
Reviewers agree that the 9-3 SportCombi is distinct and generally attractive. "Making a wagon look attractive isn't easy, but Saab has succeeded," writes About.com. Read More
9-3-Wagon Interior - 8.0 (Very Good)
The 9-3 SportCombi has the minimalist design that most have come to expect from Saab, but its materials quality can't match other full-size wagons. Forbes describes the 9-3 SportCombi's interior as "a tidy, leather-clad cabin, which is sufficiently spacious for four adults, with a fifth able to squeeze into the backseat for short trips when the need arises." Read More
9-3-Wagon Safety - 8.3 (Very Good)
The Saab 9-3 SportCombi performs well in government crash tests and is an insurance industry "Top Safety Pick." What's more, it features a wide array of active and safety equipment, including torso-side air bags. Read More
9-3-Wagon Reliability - 5.0 (Mediocre)
The 2009 Saab 9-3 Wagon reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 9-3 SportCombi comes with a four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty. Read More
