Saab 9-5 2006 review

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July 8, 2006 • 3 min read

Speculation about the long-term future of the company continues, but so far everything is going on as usual.

For the flagship 9-5, this means an update, and in the case of the SportEstate wagon, the removal of the Vector model.

Only the entry-level Linear and the high-end Aero remain.

Our test vehicle is a Linear wagon starting at $62,400.

• The 2.3-litre turbocharged petrol engine delivers 136kW at 5500rpm and 280Nm of torque at a low 1800rpm with front-wheel drive.
• Saab uses the same 2.3-liter engine for the Linear, Vector and Aero models, increasing the turbo for each application. I think there is nothing stopping Linear owners from doing the same to achieve the same results.
• The engine is connected to a five-speed sequential automatic transmission that allows the driver to change gears manually using buttons on the steering wheel. There is also a sport mode in fully automatic mode.
• Performance is generally adequate, but the car exhibits some annoying traits. It's smooth enough to drive lightly, but frequent accelerator depressing leads to some confusion between the turbo and the transmission.
• As a result, the turbo tends to turn on and off, and the transmission is constantly retuned accordingly, with real-world performance.
• Depress the accelerator pedal hard and there will be two pauses: one to engage the turbo and then a second to downshift. 0-100 km/h takes 9.5 seconds and top speed is 225 km/h.
• Saab believes it has adjusted all major suspension components to improve ride and handling. It's been too long since we last drove a car to really comment.
• We thought the previous model looked pretty good. Stylists have to justify their existence, but the new rounded, swept-back headlights give the car an "interesting" look.
• Inside, the styling is Saab's trademark, and the ignition is still located between the front seats. But it's starting to look a little dated compared to the new generation Volvo from the same country.
• 9-5 gets a five-star safety rating, with front and side airbags as well as standard active head restraints. ABS, traction control and stability control are also installed.
• A night-bar switch has been installed that turns off all instrument lighting, except for the speedometer, at night, apparently so as not to distract attention or strain the eyes.
• Fuel economy is rated at 10.0 liters per 100 kilometers for the car, and the car will run on either standard or premium unleaded gasoline. When testing from a 12.2-liter tank, we got about 100 l / 75 km.
• Although the exterior mirrors are heated, our test car's driver's mirror took too long to clear.
• Standard equipment includes leather, heated front seats, climate control, rain-sensing wipers and 16-inch alloy wheels.

BOTTOM LINE: Mixed bag. I like a lot, but there are some annoying features. Will fight for price due to competition. For example, the all-wheel drive station wagon VW V6 Passat is better equipped and cheaper.

Vehicle	Specifications	Price*
Aero	2.3 l, SOFT, 5 SP	$6,600 – 10,230	2006 Saab 9-5 2006 Aero Prices and Specs
ARC	2.3 l, SOFT, 5 SP	$6,700 – 10,450	2006 Saab 9-5 2006 ARC Prices and Specs
Linear drives	2.3 l, PULP, 5 SP MAN	$5,300 – 8,250	2006 Saab 9-5 2006 Linear Prices and Specs
vector	2.3 l, SOFT, 5 SP	$5,500 – 8,580	2006 Saab 9-5 2006 Vector Prices and Specs

Registration data: The pricing information shown in the editorial content (Price Review) is for reference only and is based on information provided by Carsguide Autotrader Media Solutions Pty Ltd (Carsguide) both by third party sources and by the vehicle manufacturer at the time of publication. . The prices in the Review were correct at the time of publication. Carsguide does not warrant or represent that the information is accurate, reliable, complete, current, or fit for any particular purpose. You should not use or rely on this information without independent evaluation of the vehicle.