Saab 9-3 2011 Review
THIS is a beautiful, well-mannered machine for the more sophisticated and mature outdoor enthusiasts. Launched in Europe in early 2009 and based on the Saab 9-3 Combi, the X has all-wheel drive, slightly increased ground clearance and some visual cues that set the station wagon apart from its stablemates.
According to Saab designers, this is a car for those who eschew traditional SUV styles. perhaps more Timberland than Blundstone. And if anyone can combine practical off-road solutions with practical and smooth design for family transport, it must be the Swedes.
The result here may have been late in the segment - when the likes of Subaru with the Outback and Volvo with the XC70 - have already paved the way in this area. Even former Holden stablemates carved that niche with the Adventra, this Commodore-based station wagon was usurped by Captiva after a three-year production run.
In fact, this Saab 9-3 X - despite its completely different bodywork - has an Adventra approach with black fender flares and skid plates, fog lights and the like, turning a family station wagon into an all-season all-road car.
VALUE
At $59,800, the Saab is roughly the price of Volvo's petrol XC70, slightly more expensive than the top-end Subaru Outback, and about $20,000 more than the Skoda Octavia Scout. Audi A6 allroad moved up and out of sight, its price is just over $ A100,000 XNUMX.
The 9-3 X falls short of these all-wheel-drive rivals; everyone has a swiss army knife approach to these builds - give them plenty of gear and cover, as well as a few things to talk about, like coasters that ballet-fold out of the dashboard. And there's plenty of leather and comfort features here, though it can be hard for this Saab to match Subaru and Volvo's resale value.
TECHNOLOGY
At the heart of Saab's all-wheel-drive adventure station wagon is the Swedish manufacturer's XWD system, developed with Haldex to deliver smooth torque to any wheel that can find traction.
It also allows up to 85% of the torque to be distributed between the rear wheels. And the system includes the usual array of driver aids - ABS, stabilization programs, traction control and emergency braking control.
Design
The current 9-3 style, tweaked here and there, has been on the road for nearly a decade. There is nothing wrong with this, these forms are familiar and comfortable. And here, with the help of increased ground clearance (up to 35mm) and adventure-style additions, including a more aggressive front bumper, twin tailpipes, the styling is still attractive.
Interior styling is also sleek and familiar, down to the ignition key mounted on the transmission tunnel between the front seats. The dashboard and instruments are as neat as possible and very legible. But it's not a big cabin, and while the cargo area is reasonably sized, the rear seat is best left for shorter people.
SECURITY
The Swedes have long held trophies for safety in cars; other manufacturers may have caught up, but the folks at Saab haven't given up on driver and passenger airbags, roof rail airbags, side airbags, and all those basic safety features that keep the 9-3X upright and steered in the right direction. direction.
DRIVING
The Saab 9-3 X is a mature and very comfortable car. It's a stable van in all conditions, transferring torque smoothly and without fuss on greasy and gravel surfaces. And it can be driven confidently on a country road, without the disadvantages of traditional SUVs associated with a high seating position. The steering isn't too durable, but riding in a cross-country cruising-suited van is excellent.
But the performance-to-economy ratio with this petrol-powered Saab and its six-speed gearbox puts off the station wagon. It's a docile engine/transmission combination that's adequate rather than adventurous. Saab's claimed city consumption is 15.5 l/100 km; Of course, this test, a mixture of city, motorway and country, showed fuel consumption figures approaching 12 l/100 km. While these may not be alarming numbers, drivers can expect slightly more gasoline.
SAAB 9-3H ***
Price: $ 59,800
Warranty: 3 years, 60,000 km
Resale Property :N/
Service Interval: 20,000 km or 12 months
Economy: 10.1 l/100 km; 242 g/km CO2
Safety equipment: six airbags, ABS, ESP, ABD, TCS
Failure Rating: 5 stars
ENGINES: 154 kW/300 Nm, 2 litre, four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
Transmission: Six-speed automatic
Chassis: 5-door, 5-seater
dimensions: 4690 mm (D); 2038 mm (W); 1573 mm (H with roof rails)
wheelbase: 2675mm
The weight: 1690kg
Tire size: 235/45 CL18
Spare wheel: 6.5×16
