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08 February 2012

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Saab 9-3 SportWagon road tests and consumer car reviews

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As a distinctive-looking estate, the Saab 9-3 SportWagon is highly competitive in the compact-executive range offering more power for less cash than many of its rivals. In fact there is a wide selection of engines to choose from including two 2.0 litre biopower engines that can run with petrol or bioethanol. As with most of the Saab 9-3 range, the SportWagon is full of features with four equipment levels to choose from. The 9-3 SportWagon Airflow is the entry level model with functions such as electrically operated heated door mirrors, while the 9-3 SportWagon Aero at the top of the range includes a six-disc single-slot CD auto-changer.

Saab 9-3 SportWagon consumer reviews by year of make: 2005 2006 2007 2009

Road tests

Saab 9-3 SportWagon

2.0T XWD - The first word that pops into the head when thinking about the Saab 9-3 SportWagon is “Stalwart” – it feels like its been around for a long, long time, and aesthetically things haven’t changed that much since the 9-3 was launched back in the 20th century! So where does the 9-3 SportWagon fit in the [...]

An image of the Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0T XWD

Questions

"Hi, I’m trying to fit rear light lens. I have undone two screws on adjacent strip but there’s no movement. Help please, Dud." (Dudley Holmes , 21/03/2011 09:10:53)
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"Is a 9-3 150t diesel Saab cambelt or chain drive?" (Graham Leaver, 11/02/2011 10:02:23)
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Saab 9-3 SportWagon consumer car reviews

Number of reviews: 9

Sandy Whittaker, England

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2005

Looks great, nicely put together with some very nice toys in the cabin. My only complaint is the Vectra engine (150) they stuck in it. Very flat and lifeless, definitely needs chipping.

Submitted: 30/03/2011 13:02:13 | ID: 7465

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John McDonald, West Lothian (Linlithgowshire)

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 150 Vector Tid 2007

I’ll be honest, you have to work hard to earn 5 stars. However, overall it is a really nice car. Like another reviewer, the paint finish has been a bit iffy. My tailgate had to be repainted under warranty, as the paint started to bubble after 20K miles. Seat lumbar adjuster collapsed and was replaced under warranty - just! I do very much like Saabs, I had a 900 turbo previously and that was a rocket ship. This one is very good, but a little bit soft on cornering; tried a 320d and that was a lot tighter, but more expensive and awful in wet /snow. I do like the mileage, ca. 45mpg. Comfortable seats, but the light uphostery is easily soiled and difficult to clean! Slightly claustrophobic, but I am 6’2", so even though headroom is good, the cabin feels a little too enclosed. Overall though very good so far (30K miles).

Submitted: 19/05/2010 20:50:43 | ID: 5253

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Jason Bund, Devon

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 150 bhp diesel 2006

Yes, after almost 4 years with this estate,I have to decide on a replacement in a couple of months. The decision is not too difficult...I Will go for another Saab 93 because it is fast and trouble-free. Mine has 66,000 mile on the clock now but is still pulling like a train! I will probably test drive the ttid in Jan! The reports are good and the new 9-3 now looks even better. Sorry BMW.

Submitted: 22/11/2009 14:22:14 | ID: 3935

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Darren, England

Saab 9-3 SportWagon Turbo Edition 1.9 TTiD 2009

Managed to convince the dealer to let his demonstrator go after just 1800 miles. He couldn’t say no as it was the only TTiD they had. This car is great. The engine has more than enough torque to climb hills like they were going the other way. Mid range is fantastic. It’s quiet and refined. As many mention, the seats are very comfortable. The face lift edition comes with positioning light bars above the headlamps which set it off nicely. Plenty of room in all positions. Feels like it will just drive and drive up and down motorways all day long - which is exactly what I got it for. And I dont care what anyone says - get a tuning upgrade to take it to 200hp / 430nm, put some lowered springs on it, a hirsch aftermarket rear spoiler and it will turn heads and go like no other 2 l diesel in its it class. Swedish sexy and cool. The Koenigsegg conection with Saab now will see the aero x a reality in 5 years...........long live the Saab!

Submitted: 14/09/2009 10:19:22 | ID: 3562

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Pam, England

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 9Tid 2009

Recently bought this 9-3 Sportwagon 1.9Tid because there was £9,750 off a pre-reg at my local dealers. Wow! I loved the last one (2007), but this is a different car again. The drive is more positive, the engine so quiet that no-one thinks it’s a diesel. Economy is good. Also sympathise with Dave in Cumbernauld because the paint on this car is so much better than the last one. Dave, if you are experiencing loads of scratches try cleaning your car with Showroom Shine from Idealworld.tv. Gives you a surface like glass and protects - also saves you washing the thing every week. Oh yes - and it was made for carrying Ikea furniture!!

Submitted: 04/08/2009 15:48:36 | ID: 3345

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Michael, England

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2007

Just as GM seems to be in two minds what to do with Saab, so I’m in two minds about their latest 9-3, the 2.0T XWD. On the plus side, I find the styling still refreshingly different, well crafted, and a cut above the rest even as competitors have moved on. I feel the same about the general aesthetic of the interior too, with its elegant solidity so evocative of Scandinavia. And, for me, the 9-3 remains a thoroughly decent drive, enhanced in this version with an AWD system that seems so well matched to the ethos of all that Scandinavian cars are about. But. It is old and expensive. The benefits that GM brought, with access to technology and money came with even bigger drawbacks. And the main drawback is the convoluted management and indecision that means that Saab were only able to release this car several years after they could have and should have. It may be decent, but the next generation, superior (at least mechanically speaking. The less said of the styling etc the better) Insignia is already available for less money. Trying to sell older equipment at a higher price really is not in keeping with the Scandinavian ethos. That said, if you want a car this size with an AWD system that works reasonably well, that is decent in all other respects, and has style to boot, then the Saab 2.0T XWD is really still the only way to go. It is unlikely to change the minds of those who have never really considered a Saab, but if you are a Saab fan, there are legs in the brand and in this 9-3 yet.

Submitted: 01/06/2009 09:31:27 | ID: 3026

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Dave Herbert, Cumberland

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD - 150 2007

Got this car without test driving or even seeing based on what I thought of my previous car (Saab 900S) and I wasn’t disappointed. The performance from the 150HP Diesel engine is excellent, especially in the 40 - 100 mph range and is extremely quiet - passengers have looked shocked at the performance and quietness when I tell them its a diesel. At 36,000 miles I replaced front tyres for second time, and rear ones for the first time - now that ain’t bad. Other than that the only ’consumable’ was a litre of oil after 1,000 miles. HOWEVER, the front suspension top bearings both collapsed before the first service, but were replaced under warranty. I was disappointed that Saab refused to replace my rear brake disks which destroyed themselves after about 20k miles, even though they did say it was a common fault!!! Paint finish seems very thin and easy to scratch as well, mine is covered in little scratches from things like an empty cardboard box I put on the roof while opening door, birds feet, cat claws, the washing brush at the local car wash etc. so much so that I have to wash it by hand with a sponge. Maybe we are starting to see the effects of the takeover by GM/Vauxhall as the finish now seems a bit lightweight compared to my previous Saab’s.

Submitted: 27/04/2009 08:41:08 | ID: 2856

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John Harris, Essex

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 2006

This is the fifth Saab I’ve owned, and the first diesel. It does over 40 mpg overall and as much as 55+ on the motorway but I won’t get another diesel - this has confirmed all my prejudices about noisy dirty smelly engines which lack the bite, precision and control of the engine that I’ve had with every other Saab I’ve owned. It’s very comfortable, practical, has an excellent boot, air con system and stereo. It’s quite fast but has horrible turbo lag - put your foot down at the lights and there really is a full second where nothing happens and then you’re propelled forward at a hell of a rate. In petrol form this is probably a damn good car, in diesel it reminds you that while Saab’s are still a sensible and different alternative to the much over-rated Germans they’re not quite as well built or different as they used to be. I also have a 15 year old classic 900 convertible and for all its age it’s still a lot more fun to drive than my 9-3.

Submitted: 02/07/2008 10:12:49 | ID: 1620

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Mark Winters, Essex

Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9 TiD 150 Airflow 5dr

I’ve only had my Sportwagon for 2 weeks but so far I’m very pleased indeed with my choice of Estate. I’d also looked at the Laguna but decided to settle on this car because I’d heard there are engine problems with the Laguna and the performance of the SportWagon beat it hands down. It’s extremely comfortable to drive and I especially like the dash design. I have noticed some outside noise seeping in when on the motorway but this is only minor.

Submitted: 27/10/2007 21:11:11 | ID: 409

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Number of reviews: 9

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