2010 saab 9-5 Saloon reviews

Saab 9-5 Saloon Vector 2.0 TiD Auto 2010

How seductive are the memories of times long gone: of times we might have lived through. So an historical perspective is useful when attempting to place a legend in context. The Saab name is legendary for various reasons. You’ll probably recognise the name for the values attached to its rallying history in the hands of the great Erik Carlson, Stig Blomqvist and Per Eklund. Of one thing we can be sure - Saab’s products were quite amazing in their day and thankfully, they still are. Having been thrown a safety net and saved from oblivion by Dutch supercar maker Spyker, when they bought the brand from General Motors, the question is, ’will Saab now soar to new success or struggle?’ The new 9-5 in the flesh looks slick, sleek, well groomed and - thankfully - unmistakably Saab, despite having been designed during G.M. ownership and using the new sophisticated Insignia platform - which means there’s lots of space inside to stretch out in the tastefully appointed interior with it’s quality fixtures and fittings. From the outside discreet, understated and confidently adult, it’s the very antonym of ostentatious: an imposing and dignified looking car well able to do the job for which it was designed. At rest it oozes poise, purpose and most of all, that indefinable something, without which any car is a mere lump of soulless metal. So - I’m pleased to report that even in these dour days of the economy Saab equals visual appeal and driver satisfaction, which surely will equal ’success’. And that success is so important because upon it might rest the survival of the marque. The 9-5 range starts at £26,695 for the 1.6 petrol turbo and rises to £37,795 for the 4WD 2.8 V6 300bhp twin turbo. Tested with the 160PS 2.0 litre turbo diesel with optional 6 speed automatic transmission and in Vector trim which gives such luxuries as heated leather and textile seats, climate control and cruise control and costs £28,035 - this version is proving to be most popular. Understandably so because it offers a good combination of performance and economy for such a big car. 130mph+ is attainable and an overall fuel consumption figure of 41.5mpg is quoted for the automatic. Make no mistake - this is a very good car indeed, but in some areas it’s slightly behind the likes of Mercedes ’C’ Class and Audi’s A6. There isn’t quite the level of refinement you get with the German marques but that would only really be noticed in ’back to back’ comparison drives. The turbo diesel performs very well indeed and with Saab’s mastery of turbocharging, there’s walloping torque where it matters, enabling safe and rapid overtaking in situations where the competition might be compromised. You do know it’s a diesel though, when working the engine hard and there’s just a hint of ’gruffness’ under strong acceleration if truth be told - not enough to discourage such use, but maybe enough to give a nit-picking anorak with rabbit ears something to latch on to. Ride quality is good enough to swoosh you sweetly along - but it’s not quite ’magic carpet’. It’s a well-controlled ride - and it needs to be, because this big Saab weighs over 1.5 tons. When the roads turn twisty big saloons often become bloaty: but not this one. It’s hardly balletic but it’s certainly capable of cleanly and confidently whisking you through bends at a fair old pace. The new 9-5 is a thoroughly modern car. Clean lined, simply drawn and well engineered. Add roominess, total practicality, top build quality and good performance and economy and I’m confident we’re looking at a winning coalition. Saab will survive.