Clean lines of Saab's 9-5 Aero hide a seriously potent sports saloon Colours and trim With its unfussy exterior and bold shape, the 9-5 looks its best in silver or other light hues. Saab might like to think that its products are positioned at the value for money end of the premium sector, but ask the average buyer what they think the Swedish cars stand for and you're more likely to get a mixed response. Both not only sound good but are easy to use thanks to clear displays and sensibly laid-out controls. Our verdict on the Saab 9-5 Aero saloon Not you average large premium car, but then Saab isn't your average manufacturer. For others the attraction is the 9-5's high performance Aero variant - a car that harks back to the days of turbo lag, serious grunt and amusing handling from sending too much power through the front wheels.
The conservative attitude of Saab buyers is mirrored by the firm's design philosophy. Small touches such as an auto dimming rear view mirror, rear parking sensors and Xenon headlamps may be model dependent but they all help. Wide, sweeping A-roads flatter the 9-5, where you'll be better able to exploit the car's potential. Driver appeal Front wheel-drive has its limitations, and the 9-5 Aero is always eager to demonstrate them to you. If for some strange reason the car did appeal, all bar the Aero are easy to drive. The car's door pockets could be more accommodating, but otherwise there are plenty of places to store oddments around the cabin. Not cheap, though Mercedes-Benz E-Class Costly to buy and equip, and is not as sharp to drive as a 5 Series Jaguar S-Type After a lacklustre start the S-Type is now a sound purchase, although its exterior hasn't met with universal appeal Volvo S80 Like the 9-5 it's an old car and can't compete dynamically with the competition.
Quality and image Saab holds an interesting position in the executive market. While no longer in its first flush of youth, the 9-5 does most things well and a few things better than the competition. Unlike Saabs of old, the 9-5 is largely quirk-free, although the location of the ignition barrel is still down by the handbrake. You'll just have to manage without the numerous different seating permutations and the benefits of a hatchback bodystyle. Space and practicality The executive saloon formula has remained unchanged for years and Saab's 9-5 offers no surprises. Unusually, the screen is touch-sensitive, and makes accessing the various functions surprisingly straightforward.
Unlike some premium makes, Saab at least fits steering wheel-mounted audio and telephone controls as standard. Taking a measured approach to exploiting the huge reserves of torque from the turbo engine bears more fruit. . The 9-5 is no different, and offers those in the front decent levels of room. The main instruments are objects of clarity, and ability to illuminate just the speedometer at night is not just a Saab trademark but also a welcome bonus. All the controls are where you'd expect them to be, and the various buttons, dials and switches are big, chunky and move with a well-oiled efficiency.
While the Saab's steering is light at low speed and the throttle easy to modulate, parking sensors are relegated to the options list - which is a shame on a car otherwise well equipped. Four trim levels: Linear, Arc, Vector and Aero. If high performance is your thing, be prepared to spend plenty of time at you local filling station if you opt for the Aero as driving it hard will see the fuel consumption take a nosedive. Also standard is traction control, but not on the 2. This slightly mixed view of Saabs is evident in the firm's market share, which has never risen to a point that the Germans have lost any sleep.
Parking Parking a big saloon will always be a little more problematic due to its boot extending well beyond the base of the rear window. It also eschews showy, extrovert styling in favour of restrained looks but feels built to last, performs as well as its peers in most areas and is better equipped into the bargain. On the whole, if you're buying an executive car, be prepared for executive-sized running costs. Car safety As you would expect, anti-lock brakes are standard across the 9-5 range plus twin front and side airbags. Spacious boot of 9-5 saloon will be more than enough for most buyers Controls and display Saab has built a reputation on designing cars with exceptional ergonomics and the 9-5 is no different.
Saab's electronic stability programme is reserved for the flagship Aero, V6 diesel, high-power 2. The 9-5's large turning circle is another bugbear, forcing you to take undue extra care in car parks. For many people that is reason enough to spend their own money on a Saab. Costs Historically, Saabs haven't been cheap cars to run. Saab's performance flagship can be a bit of an animal and commands serious respect if you're new to driving quickly. Spare wheel Space saver fitted as standard.
If it's more space you're after, the 9-5 estate is a safer bet, but it too can't match a people carrier for versatility. Forcing 250bhp through the front wheels results in a fair amount of steering 'pull' when accelerating hard - especially from standstill and when cornering. Blame the car's boot, which in its defence is more than adequate and easily passes the golf club bag test. You won't find radical 'flame surfacing' or extrovert grille designs, but you will find common sense details that surprisingly few other car makers appear to have adopted, plus a proactive attitude towards safety that rivals Volvo's efforts. The 9-5 will cost a few bob to keep on the road, but the strain can be lessened if you opt for a diesel model. With the advent of component sharing and being controlled by the mighty General Motors, the Swedish firm's individuality has been diluted in the 9-3.
The dark tone is lifted by a lighter, contrasting finish for the 9-5's fascia; the exact colour is dependent on trim level. With that in mind, it's comforting to know that the car is equipped with remote central locking and deadlocks, plus a Thatcham Category One alarm and immobiliser. It seats four adults in reasonable comfort, and will swallow shopping or a few suitcases without blinking. Accessibility Large executive saloons are, by their very nature, biased towards the driver and front seat passenger. Well equipped for the price, however Over 1,200 more car reviews online All the reports since 1990 are available on this site, just search by make and model below. The car's rear seats offer similar levels of support, but the aft portion of the cabin could do with more legroom - business colleagues or clients are likely to feel the pinch on long journeys. The high performance Aero variant is typical old school Saab; delivering bucketfuls of turbocharged power through the front wheels - a real wolf in sheep's clothing.