2009 Saab 9-5

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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The passenger cabin of the 2009 Saab 9-5 has a lot of personality.  It combines unique Swedish touches like flip-out cupholders and Saab's infinitely flexible grid-style air vents with high-quality materials. It is spacious compared to many competitors, but the cabin electronics are falling behind the class standard.

• "The 9-5 is a comfortable place to spend time, with ample passenger room and exceptionally comfortable seats." -- Edmunds
• "The 9-5 has midsize exterior dimensions, but offers extraordinary roominess." -- MSN
• "From the console-mounted ignition switch to the clever pop-out/folding beverage holder in the dashboard to the unique 'Night Panel' button that lets you turn off all the gauges and illumination except for the bare necessities, Saab's have a funky attitude unlike anything else." -- National Motorists Association

Seating

Reviewers find the front seats of the Saab 9-5 large, but too soft for the car's sporting intentions. The rear seats are a tight fit for adults, but heated rear seats are standard -- an unusual touch. Ventilated and cooled seats are optional.

• "Most drivers will find the 9-5's seats exceptionally comfortable, especially those equipped with the optional heating and ventilation feature."  -- Edmunds
• "Seats generously sized, but too soft for best support...Rear bench nicely contoured and supportive, though too narrow for comfortable three-abreast trips." -- Consumer Guide
• "Drivers and passengers will appreciate that front and rear heated seats are included as standard equipment." -- Kelley Blue Book

Interior Features

Saab doesn't offer many option packages -- even base-level 9-5s come very well-equipped. The base stereo is particularly impressive. But the car hasn't seen a major redesign since 1999, and it doesn't host a full suite of modern features. Opting for the navigation system moves the DC changer to the trunk, for instance, and deletes satellite radio.

• "Gauges unobstructed. Climate, audio controls easy to use. We don't mind the center-console-mounted ignition switch -- a Saab custom. But some testers find window switches located there inconvenient." -- Consumer Guide
• "The Harman Kardon audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer is amazingly good for a standard car stereo." -- CNET
• "The 9-5 has a large amount of comfort and convenience equipment, which includes heated front/rear leather seats, a power sunroof, a 200-watt sound system with an in-dash 6-disc CD player, and a glove box tied to the air conditioning system to provide refrigerator temperature to stow everything from a cold drink to a chocolate bar." -- MSN
• "Materials quality could also be improved." -- Edmunds

Cargo

The trunk of the 9-5 gives nearly 16 cubic feet of storage space, and interior storage abounds. 

• "Large trunk has flat floor, cabin pass-through. Wagon's cargo bay is cavernous, with neat under-floor storage...Cupholders limited to pop-out dashboard contraption that's taxed by larger drinks, and center-console insert that negates use of armrest." -- Consumer Guide