Saab 9-3 2008
By Benjamin Cyr
Road-test likes:
- the interior’s overall comfort;
- the engine’s torque which provides good in gear acceleration without having to downshift one notch and good standard acceleration;
- the large 425 litre trunk;
- the $35,980 base price matches other European products. Note our tester’s price, with several options including the high-end Bose audio system, the luxury package and the 17-inch rims, climbed to about $39,000;
- adequate standard features;
- the steering wheel handles very well, even in sport driving;
- the quite reasonable fuel consumption.
Road-test dislikes:
- the lack of a simple button to deactivate traction control. The necessary perusal of the onboard computer menu becomes problematic in winter;
- the shifter offers no resistance between shifts. Retroaction is sorely missing in this case;
- the lack of interior storage space, including the limited amount of beverage holders;
- braking is average at best. The miscalibration of the brake pedal which forces aggressive footwork to get adequate braking. Rather strange.
Last year, we tested the convertible version of the 9-3. Powered by the same 2 litre engine but it carried an automatic transmission; God, how I detested the long response time (turbo lag) at start-up. The new manual version, on the other hand, has solved that problem.
In short, the 9-3 is difficult to compare. Rolling on front-wheel drive and with less of a sporty character than the rivals (Audi A4 and BMW Series 3), a direct comparison cannot be made. What about Volvo? Although manufactured by a Swedish company, the philosophies differ, something you feel instantly behind the wheel. Therefore, once more, the unique Saab will appeal to those who want a vehicle that stands apart. After a week at the wheel, I was pleasantly surprised yet with so few Saab 9-3’s on the roads compared to the competition, the particularities of this Suede don’t seem to draw many consumers. |
Previous page 
