Saab 9-5: the aging Swede (retrospection)

What Bulgaria wrote 20 years ag piese auto online.

Saab 9-5: the aging Swede (retrospection)

Even the latest facelift of the Saab 9-5 can't smooth out all the wrinkles.

Saab has gone so far in its pursuit of exclusivity that the 9-5 is almost impossible to see on the roads anymore. Buyers of this brand want one thing – to be different. Just not Audi or BMW! And for that they are ready to make any sacrifices. For example, the big 9-5 has been produced for 8 years, so far no successor is planned, instead the old Saab has been subjected to a facelift again.

The new thick chrome trim on the headlights is probably supposed to show us what Saab will look like in the future, but to us it looks like the heavy and excessive makeup of an aging lady. The interior is also nothing new – black instead of gray plastic, new air conditioning “wheels” and a little aluminum – all this is too little for a new beginning.

If you are stressed, the clear and well-arranged instruments will bring you northern peace. The cockpit is as simple as cheap IKEA products, the ESP button is so large that in the cold winter it can be easily pressed even with a thick glove. The seats are comfortable and pleasant, the trunk is no bigger than that of an Avant or Touring. Saab wants to shine with beauty, not size.

The top version we tested had a 2.3-liter turbo engine with 260 hp (250 hp before), which puts the front-wheel drive to a serious test, although it has also been improved. In bends, the front wheels quickly lose traction, which is felt in the otherwise rather insensitive steering. It is no coincidence that with similar engine power, competitors from Audi and Alfa rely on all-wheel drive. We assume that the versions of the 9-5 with less powerful turbo engines (185 and 220 hp) will perform better. The suspension of the modernized 9-5 has become stiffer, the bumps in the road are felt quite clearly by the passengers. The five-speed automatic transmission is too “nervous”, it changes gears abruptly and roughly. We recommend choosing the manual transmission instead.

The strengths of the Swedish station wagon are best seen on a leisurely long-distance journey – the large car moves without unnecessary tension, thanks to the enormous torque of the engine. Intermediate accelerations, such as when overtaking, are no problem at all. Fuel consumption is significant, reaching 17.1 l/100 km. In order to move relatively economically, you need to be careful how you press the gas pedal. This is important even for the solvent Saab customers who have spent 86,000 leva for this car.

Car parts AutoPower
Car parts AutoPower

Even the latest facelift of the Saab 9-5 can't smooth out all the wrinkles

Saab has gone so far in its pursuit of exclusivity that the 9-5 is almost impossible to see on the roads anymore