Every time I see a review about Volvo or Saab they are allways so negative about it and say you should buy a bmw or merc or whatever fat German... that really makes me sad. Just look at that car, aint it beautiful??????
Personal experience: 1000 miles in an Audi = back ache, numbness, pain, annoying climate control swapping constantly between burning heat and freezing cold, annoying turbo to gear ratios and getting out the other end exhausted. Saab +1000 miles = happy, relaxed, comfortable, fairly nippy, good climate control, good torque, and get out the other end with enough energy to do the tango!
As a Saab owner I have to tell you that they are rather heavy. Skoda (VW) isn't such a bad car, but I prefer my Saab and wouldn't want to be caught dead in a Kia. (Greek KI/\ = Kill)
British motor journalists see to always rank german cars as the best, no matter what other non german carmakers comes up with. There is certainly other aspects than interior quality, feel such as safety, handling and long term dependebility. Speaking of long term dependibility both swedish automakers nowadays outclass the germans. Sadly saab cars now is history. I have a 9 3 2,0t Biopower, a great family car, with both performance, handling and safety. Running costs is also decent comparing to german premium cars.
they always rank british cars #1. no matter how impartial they try to be, they just cant help themselves. i once watched an autocar review comparing the porsche cayenne with the range rover. they pitted the two suv's against each other in a series of tests, where the porsche clearly won in each one. then, at the end of the review, they concluded that it was a "draw" between the two cars. only in the UK i guess...
Interesting you bring up the range rover. Supposed to be a mark of quality. Sister in law has one because of the badge, but dear god its horrid! Fuel economy (its diesel and terrible), cornering, seat comfort, cab space, visibility, storage space (for the size of the ruddy thing), pedal position, and one thing that really griped me? the gear box. The presenter there carping about the "GM feel box" which is frankly fantastic on the saabs compared to a lot of motors, but this range rover? let me describe it. You have 6 gears, plus reverse after the 6th gear. There is no bump stop between that 6th and reverse. And the spring weighting does not, I repeat does not, help you find 5th and 6th, and doesn't even seem to aline with 3-4th. A car which starts at over £40,000 cant even get a manual gearbox right! But that presenter will bang on about "premium quality" without giving credence to the words they use.
The Skoda Superb is an indeed an excellent car.But it's no match to the amazing 9-5. My company car is a brand new Bimer 5 but even this one is more dull to drive, more uncomfortable and far less roomy than a 2011 9-5 NG.
@@hausmeisterengineering5952 I never buy a car to replace taillight on it. It's only bad luck. But if I had to it's better to replace it on a Saab for 500 than on a Škoda for 100.
I own a Skoda and a Saab, i really love those two brands.I have been in both cars mentioned in this test, and if the Superb is for sure a good car, the 9-5 is just an amazing one.There is no way to compare them, the Saab is just better at any point.
Partly reviewed unfortunatelly, seems none of the reviews these days talking about most important things - reliability and safty. and saab would be a leader in mid class. I have 9-3 2008 200miles on the clock the only visits to garage are change oil, tyres, bulbs and filters for the last 5 years. Go Saab Go!
there's something about this car to me that makes it look more comfortable and safer than its competitors. I'd love to have one, especially since they're not as common.
It's pretty good when the shortcomings FG pointed out are resolved by buying a higher trim version, this is the base model and you get what you pay for. If you pay a bit more, you get colour displays instead of monochrome ("push clutch to start"-part), nicer trim and more powerful engines.
I guess the whole point of Saab was to he diffrent. Upset GM took over as everone else but i own a 03 9-3 2.0T and so far has been the best ride quality for me. I hate seeing 100 of the same car everywhere you go. Hence, saabs are for people like me... who wanna have something diffrent. And, hell yea there fun to drive. Well only if its a 5 speed like mine....
I fell in love with Saab 10 or 12 years ago, when I had chance to drive 9000cse. Then I decided to buy one some day. A week ago I just purchased 2005, 9-3, 1.9TiD Vector with original Hirsch program and I love it. Some say it is Vectra wearing better suit, but it is not. Driving experience is totaly different. Each time I drive it, I always choose longer way home.
Still her reviewing this years ago and saying that, must have hurt sales at least a bit. Who’s the genius in Saab marketing who let her at the non-top-end petrol aero model...
Thats stupid of course it's not gonna feel fast if you have the one with the smallest engine and turbo! If they had tested the biggest one, well then they had been in for a ride. I have seen those with the biggest engine smoke bwm's like they where trash.
@pjtart They are good! Because Saab still developed them independently however GM had input in the process. And parts etc, I have had 5 saabs over 5 years and have 3 at the moment, including the last of the first gen 9-5 (2007 model) they are just fantastic!!!
@leatherneckal22 u do realize there are several trim levels to choose from, right? I like how you ignored the fact that this car is available also with a 280HP V6.
Such a shame Saab is history now. They were individual, unlike the generic German makers who pretty much copy each other. The German makes are just annoyingly common and neither BMW nor Audi, or even Mercedes have any exclusivity left anymore. Personally I would much prefer a Saab, Volvo, or even a Lexus nowadays just because they separate you from being another one of the herd. And yes I'm sure the BMW 5-series handles better and the Audi A6 has a better interior finish....I don't really care as neither are cars I'd be proud to say I own. Ditto the Skoda Superb (also technically German...its a VW underneath).
Test drove this a while back and currently have a white 9-5 on order. Comparable to a Skoda Superb it certainly is NOT. You have to drive it to know why, but the best way of explaining it is that it makes you feel serene in a very unique way. The selling point for me was all the Saab owners who honked at me. :) Don't know if this is a thing they all do or if it was just the new 9-5, but the communtiy surrounding it is bloody marvelous if you like that sort of thing (check: Saabs United).
@yaroukh Saab has no image problem, it's just that its image is not of the mainstream type! It's a well-known fact that Saab owners satisfaction rated among the highest among car brands, that Saab owners' brand loyalty is second only to the Lexus, and that most Saab owners are returning customers, meaning that they have bought a Saab before and they are riding their second, third, even fourth Saab they've owned. This car I think, will broaden its appeal. I'm sure of it.
I've actually driven a Aero version petrol 220 BHP and I was amazed -> as I already have a 210 hp 9-3 I was so impressed by the power that, at first I though it was the 2.8 T. Now that Saab has the opportunity to do what they do best: engineer, let's just give them a chance to prove that they can do more than just move your mind....
She has a point on the interior etc., and I think there might've been something wrong with the HUD. Interior will be improved in near future, when Spyker has had the time to properly sort the car out.
@ThousanWhite No. For this you´d spend about $30k. It´s a 2.0tid 160hp. Best option I think it would be the 2.0 litre turbo 220hp + hirsch performance ecu= 260 hp.
+MrStitty26 is it the estate of this model because they are incredibly rare if you do you are one lucky person hold on to it collectors in years to come will go mad over it
@McLarenMercedes The SAAB 9-5 2.8 V6 Aero costs € 71.500,- here in the Netherlands, the BMW 535i automatic costs € 66.155,- So the SAAB is even more expensive than the BMW. I would call that comparable, even though the SAAB has more equipment as standard. SAAB is trying to be a more upmarket brand and is aiming for the 5-series, A6 and E-class as its competitors with the 9-5. So I think I am not insane, and if you still think I am, please try and explain that to me.
@E31nar - you are totally right! But then again what did you expect? they had a blondie review an aircraft heritage car make. it's like a nun with a chaingun and over half of the video is recorded from behind the wheel, where all you could actually see was the blondie and a mere 2 seconds showing the (in my opinion) state of the art dash and brilliant HUD which actually doesn't look bad at all check it in the other clips it looks crisp and clear. Tiff Needell would have done such a better job..
Dummy commentary since they test the base diesel...The Least Performance oriented Saab in that 9-5 lineup. Why don't you test the 300 HP V-6? Hmmmmm.....Very low quality assessments of a great car. She sucks.
@pjtart LOL, That was designed and purely built by GM...it has GM parts inside, interior uses alot of shared parts, like gear stick, knobs, dials etc, are universal GM parts, and the platform is a GM Ipsilon platform which is shared with Buick etc, but its the most authentic SAAB GM has pulled off.
i would buy this only for the sci-fi looks. for ride quality, handling, comfort, engines choice, interior space and design i would go for the E-Klasse. and I did.
@pjtart yeah I hear so many people say they break, but I know 9-3 suffer issues like that, 9-5 is quite a sound car, and very reliable, near future I'd add this second gen 9-5 to the list of Saab's I have had :D
@yaroukh In reality my friend, most people, average people who buy these, would not be able to tell the difference between a 5-series and an E-class in terms of performance because none of them will push it to the limit where it will matter. Most will just drive it to work and pick up kids, where what you drive (brand-wise) matters much more than how it performs. Just a thought.
14 років тому
@pjtart Saab is building Saab! =) The owners have changed from GM to Spyker, that's all basically. The factory have always been placed in Trollhättan and both the 9-3 and the 9-5 are built there. It's the one and only Saab factory there is!
@ThousanWhite This isn't 50K, the 300 hp AWD one WITH options id barley 52K, so it is quite a bargain. I've been to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi's websites and the A6 came in with the exact same options at 4K more, the BMW at 8K more and the Merc was 10K more.
@ErikMartijn i agree on new Kia' s. they are a bit hard on plastic. but they trying to fix that. my parents have the new Kia Sorento. the top range model. and i gotta say it offers more than some mercs and bmw's. and i LOVE bmw's but yea the sorento's dash is a bit hard but when it comes to the doors and passenger places its quite good. especially at the front. the doors are also smooth. and leather is REALLY soft for a car like that. as for skodas i love the Octavia VRS.
@yaroukh It's got a good brand image and brand loyalty already, built even before it's controlled by GM; but for a very niche market as it exploits its Scandinavian quirkiness, for being different and out there, as much as Volvo does with safety. Which is a bit of a curse with Swedish car brands, I tend to think, to appeal to small market section.
@meisself Yes I noticed that. I was commenting about GM and their influence and not the current state of SAAB under Spyker. I think Spyker could turn Saab into a unique niche high quality sedan that is in class of it's own like their sports cars and i wish them success.
@phantomloita - how many people are buying the pagani zonda or the aston martin db9? not even half of those that will buy the aero. so why review those either? that never stopped fifth gear reviewing those. did you ask yourself that question?
@pjtart The new company (SAAB Spyker cars.) however all the parts are GM and GM Have a deal I believe for 10 years to continue to supply for the vehicles across the current vehicle range (1st gen 9-5's, 9-3 new 9-5, 9-3x etc) but still...They are great cars, since you got SAAB engineering etc, most new saabs (1993 - 2010) are GM cars and are still great. However, the new 9-3 is going to be entirely developed by Saab spyker :D
Why didn't they test the stronger models when they always tests german cars maxed out, and then compares the saab 9-5 with the other maxed out cars... BS!
@AdrianC12345 u're so wrong. GM many years was using SAAB engineers, and pump out many innovations from SAAB. So i'm gonna say something else. Many GM cars have SAAB engineering inside. That's why GM bought SAAB years ago. Sorry i had some problems with broadband ;).
In Australia the 2011 9-5 Aero with a with every extra feature they offered sold for a touch over $100k AUD (We have a 30% Luxury car Tax on top of multiple other car pricing absurdities.) In early 2013 when Saab was out of business that same 2011 9-5 Aero that had been sitting on the Dealer's Lots for 2 years essentially still brand new was selling for $35-40k. Bargain car of the decade. Gorgeous exterior design too, years ahead of the curve as both the A4 & C Class would embrace that 'smoothed ovalised body shape' later on. I had just bought myself a used 2005 LS430 with the Ultra Luxury Pack (meaning everything) in 2012 for $30k and it grew on me so unfortunately I didn't get the 9-5. You know how the Japanese are considered hyper conscientious and thoughtful? The Lexus LS is the embodiment of that, the more time you spend it the more you realise how much thought care was put into it's design with the utmost sophistication and subtlety. I've yet to have a single part fail. It's 16 years old. It's basically the most reliable car ever built. Even JD Power Rankings agrees.
Should have tested a petrol version.... Even a TTiD would make all the diference. And...Superb...? Oh, please.... I only say: "Why do those people who have Saabs have that smile on their faces?" by J. Clarkson in "Topgear".
@captmcneil Well they introduced a new model 1998(Astra G), I know several people who own and have driven this car well beyond 10 000 km:s. But then I seem to recall the Astra G was a big step forward from the F.
Looks like direct competition for the Volvo s80 rather than Mercedes E-class or BMW 5-series. Interior is attractive (like S80), but doesn't look as lushly done as the MB or BMW.
Just going to leave this here. Look at Saab's Mercs amd Bmw's from the same era Saab's still look modern. She said "The Saab was a bit sluggish" Never heard that said before. What a fkn divvy!!! They are fast as fk my last 8 cars have all been Saab's. First 14 were volvo,vauxhall,Bm,merc amd Audi. Would rather get the bus that drive a smackhead skoda
i went to the mall today, at gamestop the cashier was wearing a Saab shirt and has owned them his whole life. he currently has 3 no sure what they exactly are.
dude u can quit boasting about skoda but that wont make them better then SAAB. Skoda is just a mix of an Audi and a VW but Saab cars have more character and better feeling of ownership!!!
This car look x100 better than the skoda superb. I seriously doubt whether anyone considering the saab would even look at the skoda, and vice versa. I think they should offer a wider choice of engines though if they want to compete with the E-class and 5-series. And bits of the dash especially round the dials look cheap.
Skoda superb.... I would sooner get dragged along by my testicles. What a lazy bit of auto journalism... " if you want 30 extra bhp then go for the twin turbo" are you kidding me...you buy a twin to keep the engine in such an amazing sweet spot that you get much better torque and better fuel economy with bugger all lag.
@metamorphosisfour That and all the engines Saab uses are not just poped out of GM's plant. They are all built to SAAB specs so there not really GM motors
so this is about the size of a buick regal(opel/vauxhall insignia) which competes with the acura tsx(euro honda accord) which competes with the 3 series? but this competes with the 5 series? saab, you make no sense. but i have to say, this is one beautiful car. i would buy it any day over its rivals.
I love this design (especially the rear part) but I'm afraid Saab will have troubles with building their image. I don't think they will have enough resources to build everything in-house. So it will be basically mash-up of parts from other automakers. And that does not help when you want to compete with BMW or Merc. (Maybe against Audi that does not matter that much.)
Every time I see a review about Volvo or Saab they are allways so negative about it and say you should buy a bmw or merc or whatever fat German... that really makes me sad. Just look at that car, aint it beautiful??????
even in 2019 it looks good and unique on the road, not like bmw that nobody else notices as theres too many around
Just marketing
Personal experience:
1000 miles in an Audi = back ache, numbness, pain, annoying climate control swapping constantly between burning heat and freezing cold, annoying turbo to gear ratios and getting out the other end exhausted.
Saab +1000 miles = happy, relaxed, comfortable, fairly nippy, good climate control, good torque, and get out the other end with enough energy to do the tango!
Well done, VAG sucks.
Rather push a Saab than drive a skoda
As a Saab owner I have to tell you that they are rather heavy.
Skoda (VW) isn't such a bad car, but I prefer my Saab and wouldn't want to be caught dead in a Kia. (Greek KI/\ = Kill)
British motor journalists see to always rank german cars as the best, no matter what other non german carmakers comes up with. There is certainly other aspects than interior quality, feel such as safety, handling and long term dependebility. Speaking of long term dependibility both swedish automakers nowadays outclass the germans. Sadly saab cars now is history. I have a 9 3 2,0t Biopower, a great family car, with both performance, handling and safety. Running costs is also decent comparing to german premium cars.
+Robert Folmeus Fear not. Saab is not dead. It will rise from the ashes yet again, like it always does.
they always rank british cars #1. no matter how impartial they try to be, they just cant help themselves.
i once watched an autocar review comparing the porsche cayenne with the range rover. they pitted the two suv's against each other in a series of tests, where the porsche clearly won in each one. then, at the end of the review, they concluded that it was a "draw" between the two cars. only in the UK i guess...
Interesting you bring up the range rover. Supposed to be a mark of quality.
Sister in law has one because of the badge, but dear god its horrid!
Fuel economy (its diesel and terrible), cornering, seat comfort, cab space, visibility, storage space (for the size of the ruddy thing), pedal position, and one thing that really griped me? the gear box.
The presenter there carping about the "GM feel box" which is frankly fantastic on the saabs compared to a lot of motors, but this range rover? let me describe it.
You have 6 gears, plus reverse after the 6th gear.
There is no bump stop between that 6th and reverse.
And the spring weighting does not, I repeat does not, help you find 5th and 6th, and doesn't even seem to aline with 3-4th.
A car which starts at over £40,000 cant even get a manual gearbox right!
But that presenter will bang on about "premium quality" without giving credence to the words they use.
yes GB motor juornos are obsessed with Jerry cars. They probably will be even should Jerries make crap cars.
The Skoda Superb is an indeed an excellent car.But it's no match to the amazing 9-5.
My company car is a brand new Bimer 5 but even this one is more dull to drive, more uncomfortable and far less roomy than a 2011 9-5 NG.
If you are giving me choice,having 10 Superbs or 1 9-5 Aero XWD i would take the 9-5! Better Quality,Safety and Spare parts are no problem
3scap3HD alias Zero22 depends where you live
until you need to change a tail light! they are 500 bucks each corner
@@hausmeisterengineering5952 I never buy a car to replace taillight on it. It's only bad luck. But if I had to it's better to replace it on a Saab for 500 than on a Škoda for 100.
Looks stunning and more unique than any "Premium" German car. What are they like to own though? Seriously thinking of getting one soon.
David A i think they are quite good we test drove one a while back it seemed a comfortable and fast vehicle
David A
Buy one and find out , i have ! Excellent car .
If you live in a RHD country then spare parts are harder to come by.
I own a Skoda and a Saab, i really love those two brands.I have been in both cars mentioned in this test, and if the Superb is for sure a good car, the 9-5 is just an amazing one.There is no way to compare them, the Saab is just better at any point.
So the saab is more comfortavle than the superb??
@@asdasd01 The only issue about the Saab was the headroom for the rear passenger.But overall the comfort of the seats is far superior to the Superb.
@@seriousbe 9 years later...
@@seriousbe still got the saab
@@LA63003 Yeap, 9-5 is a real collector now :)
I'm shopping for one of these now. It's a Saab. Its personality over shines any flaw it may have.
well done saab...honestly it looks fantasic...i drove one and could say its a contender
Partly reviewed unfortunatelly, seems none of the reviews these days talking about most important things - reliability and safty. and saab would be a leader in mid class. I have 9-3 2008 200miles on the clock the only visits to garage are change oil, tyres, bulbs and filters for the last 5 years. Go Saab Go!
SKODA SURPB HAHAHAH fuck no i rather pay x2 for the saab
there's something about this car to me that makes it look more comfortable and safer than its competitors. I'd love to have one, especially since they're not as common.
It's pretty good when the shortcomings FG pointed out are resolved by buying a higher trim version, this is the base model and you get what you pay for. If you pay a bit more, you get colour displays instead of monochrome ("push clutch to start"-part), nicer trim and more powerful engines.
Looking at this segment all i take from it is that the UK no longer have anyone that understands cars after the top gear crew left for Amazon.
I hope they removed the crew that made this cast from ever working on TV.
I guess the whole point of Saab was to he diffrent. Upset GM took over as everone else but i own a 03 9-3 2.0T and so far has been the best ride quality for me. I hate seeing 100 of the same car everywhere you go. Hence, saabs are for people like me... who wanna have something diffrent. And, hell yea there fun to drive. Well only if its a 5 speed like mine....
I fell in love with Saab 10 or 12 years ago, when I had chance to drive 9000cse. Then I decided to buy one some day. A week ago I just purchased 2005, 9-3, 1.9TiD Vector with original Hirsch program and I love it. Some say it is Vectra wearing better suit, but it is not. Driving experience is totaly different. Each time I drive it, I always choose longer way home.
A Skoda Superb? Jesus christ.
Still her reviewing this years ago and saying that, must have hurt sales at least a bit. Who’s the genius in Saab marketing who let her at the non-top-end petrol aero model...
Volvo is my favorite brand, but i'd buy this over E class or Series 5 any day!!
Ahh... Saab going back to the good old days. My dad and I sat in test drove this thing and we loved it
Thats stupid of course it's not gonna feel fast if you have the one with the smallest engine and turbo! If they had tested the biggest one, well then they had been in for a ride. I have seen those with the biggest engine smoke bwm's like they where trash.
THIS SAAB IS A CAR WITH GUTS AND CLASS. NEVER TO BE REPLACED !.
SKODA SUPERB. REALLY?! YUKS!
@pjtart They are good! Because Saab still developed them independently however GM had input in the process. And parts etc, I have had 5 saabs over 5 years and have 3 at the moment, including the last of the first gen 9-5 (2007 model) they are just fantastic!!!
@leatherneckal22
u do realize there are several trim levels to choose from, right? I like how you ignored the fact that this car is available also with a 280HP V6.
the engine on the 2010-2011 Saab 9-5
Engine
1.6L turbocharged I4
2.0L turbocharged I4
2.8L turbocharged V6
2.0L turbodiesel I4
Such a shame Saab is history now.
They were individual, unlike the generic German makers who pretty much copy each other.
The German makes are just annoyingly common and neither BMW nor Audi, or even Mercedes have any exclusivity left anymore.
Personally I would much prefer a Saab, Volvo, or even a Lexus nowadays just because they separate you from being another one of the herd. And yes I'm sure the BMW 5-series handles better and the Audi A6 has a better interior finish....I don't really care as neither are cars I'd be proud to say I own. Ditto the Skoda Superb (also technically German...its a VW underneath).
Test drove this a while back and currently have a white 9-5 on order. Comparable to a Skoda Superb it certainly is NOT. You have to drive it to know why, but the best way of explaining it is that it makes you feel serene in a very unique way. The selling point for me was all the Saab owners who honked at me. :) Don't know if this is a thing they all do or if it was just the new 9-5, but the communtiy surrounding it is bloody marvelous if you like that sort of thing (check: Saabs United).
Sweet Saab - yes!
Thats an awesome idea!
I'm still sad to see Saab go - It's always been a no less than remarkable brand!
So is the Saab 9-5 last gen 2011 a Spyker/saab built or GM/Saab built ???
It also competes with the Volvo S80
SAAB will never die and I think it still stands :o
@yaroukh
Saab has no image problem, it's just that its image is not of the mainstream type! It's a well-known fact that Saab owners satisfaction rated among the highest among car brands, that Saab owners' brand loyalty is second only to the Lexus, and that most Saab owners are returning customers, meaning that they have bought a Saab before and they are riding their second, third, even fourth Saab they've owned. This car I think, will broaden its appeal. I'm sure of it.
Skoda superb......was never a match for saab.
Can't believe she would actually say that
Definitely m8
CCCP thats right, VW had to show Skoda how to build cars because they were making them all wrong. Thanks to Vw, Skoda are half decent today.
@@jackscott.3410 I reckon that Skoda is better than Volkswagen these days
I've actually driven a Aero version petrol 220 BHP and I was amazed -> as I already have a 210 hp 9-3 I was so impressed by the power that, at first I though it was the 2.8 T. Now that Saab has the opportunity to do what they do best: engineer, let's just give them a chance to prove that they can do more than just move your mind....
She has a point on the interior etc., and I think there might've been something wrong with the HUD. Interior will be improved in near future, when Spyker has had the time to properly sort the car out.
the 2010-present Saab 9-5 is assembled in
Trollhättan, Sweden
Love it and I reckon if Saab made this car into an AWD five door hatch like the Audi Sportback (shades of the 900i) that would be something to see.
@ThousanWhite
No. For this you´d spend about $30k. It´s a 2.0tid 160hp.
Best option I think it would be the 2.0 litre turbo 220hp + hirsch performance ecu= 260 hp.
@itsTiLER hell yea it is so different and rich i love it!!!
Saab will live again!!!
I have a 95 estate vector sport and a great car with great tech, would love an estate version of this one.
+MrStitty26 is it the estate of this model because they are incredibly rare if you do you are one lucky person hold on to it collectors in years to come will go mad over it
@zivolic i have driven saabs for 12 years, and have never had one of them in a workshop.. except keeping servicebook up to date, though
@McLarenMercedes The SAAB 9-5 2.8 V6 Aero costs € 71.500,- here in the Netherlands, the BMW 535i automatic costs € 66.155,- So the SAAB is even more expensive than the BMW. I would call that comparable, even though the SAAB has more equipment as standard. SAAB is trying to be a more upmarket brand and is aiming for the 5-series, A6 and E-class as its competitors with the 9-5. So I think I am not insane, and if you still think I am, please try and explain that to me.
@E31nar - you are totally right! But then again what did you expect? they had a blondie review an aircraft heritage car make. it's like a nun with a chaingun and over half of the video is recorded from behind the wheel, where all you could actually see was the blondie and a mere 2 seconds showing the (in my opinion) state of the art dash and brilliant HUD which actually doesn't look bad at all check it in the other clips it looks crisp and clear. Tiff Needell would have done such a better job..
Dummy commentary since they test the base diesel...The Least Performance oriented Saab in that 9-5 lineup. Why don't you test the 300 HP V-6? Hmmmmm.....Very low quality assessments of a great car. She sucks.
@pjtart LOL, That was designed and purely built by GM...it has GM parts inside, interior uses alot of shared parts, like gear stick, knobs, dials etc, are universal GM parts, and the platform is a GM Ipsilon platform which is shared with Buick etc, but its the most authentic SAAB GM has pulled off.
@zivolic I assume you took the car for a test drive before buy, which poses the question why you bought it if you didnt like it?
Proud czech and everything but I would never ever choose Superb over a SAAB. Especially one as beautiful as 9.5!
i would buy this only for the sci-fi looks.
for ride quality, handling, comfort, engines choice, interior space and design i would go for the E-Klasse. and I did.
Jeffreyg me too. Still gets admiring glances and most think the plate is private as it can't be 10 years old..... Can it?
What’s the quality of the plastics used on the dashboard? Are they soft?
@AdrianC12345 You could as well say that GM has Saab engineering in it, considering where GM transmission in sweden used to be located..
@pjtart yeah I hear so many people say they break, but I know 9-3 suffer issues like that, 9-5 is quite a sound car, and very reliable, near future I'd add this second gen 9-5 to the list of Saab's I have had :D
Being outclassed by a Skoda...that just hurts.
According to the Salesman of Saab in my Country.. 80% of Saab owners are people regular Saab owners of people who haved owned Saab before..
LOL, shes crazy!!!!!!!!! and btw, there is auto if you dont want the manual :P
@yaroukh
In reality my friend, most people, average people who buy these, would not be able to tell the difference between a 5-series and an E-class in terms of performance because none of them will push it to the limit where it will matter. Most will just drive it to work and pick up kids, where what you drive (brand-wise) matters much more than how it performs.
Just a thought.
@pjtart Saab is building Saab! =) The owners have changed from GM to Spyker, that's all basically. The factory have always been placed in Trollhättan and both the 9-3 and the 9-5 are built there. It's the one and only Saab factory there is!
Saab may be no more, it still has a better reputation then Skoda.
Getting my "new" 9-5 next week. :-)
What a beautiful and unique European car .. Its a shame really.
@ThousanWhite This isn't 50K, the 300 hp AWD one WITH options id barley 52K, so it is quite a bargain. I've been to BMW, Mercedes, and Audi's websites and the A6 came in with the exact same options at 4K more, the BMW at 8K more and the Merc was 10K more.
@ErikMartijn i agree on new Kia' s. they are a bit hard on plastic. but they trying to fix that. my parents have the new Kia Sorento. the top range model. and i gotta say it offers more than some mercs and bmw's. and i LOVE bmw's but yea the sorento's dash is a bit hard but when it comes to the doors and passenger places its quite good. especially at the front. the doors are also smooth. and leather is REALLY soft for a car like that. as for skodas i love the Octavia VRS.
@yaroukh
It's got a good brand image and brand loyalty already, built even before it's controlled by GM; but for a very niche market as it exploits its Scandinavian quirkiness, for being different and out there, as much as Volvo does with safety. Which is a bit of a curse with Swedish car brands, I tend to think, to appeal to small market section.
@meisself Yes I noticed that. I was commenting about GM and their influence and not the current state of SAAB under Spyker. I think Spyker could turn Saab into a unique niche high quality sedan that is in class of it's own like their sports cars and i wish them success.
@thestonecoldandy The comparison is made in the video, I did not start it.
Please give the woman an automatic aero and then she can do the review....
@Thommislav Your dad was a hockey-pro in Luleå Hockey?
@phantomloita - how many people are buying the pagani zonda or the aston martin db9? not even half of those that will buy the aero. so why review those either? that never stopped fifth gear reviewing those. did you ask yourself that question?
Saab a great loss to people that want to walk a different path, 93 I had was superb 👌🏻😎
Come on people, it's 2011! Time to upgrade to HD and for Gods sake do something to lighten up the video. Cant see anything inside the car!
@pjtart The new company (SAAB Spyker cars.) however all the parts are GM and GM Have a deal I believe for 10 years to continue to supply for the vehicles across the current vehicle range (1st gen 9-5's, 9-3 new 9-5, 9-3x etc) but still...They are great cars, since you got SAAB engineering etc, most new saabs (1993 - 2010) are GM cars and are still great. However, the new 9-3 is going to be entirely developed by Saab spyker :D
@ErikMartijn well put my good man well put!
Why didn't they test the stronger models when they always tests german cars maxed out, and then compares the saab 9-5 with the other maxed out cars... BS!
@AdrianC12345 u're so wrong. GM many years was using SAAB engineers, and pump out many innovations from SAAB. So i'm gonna say something else. Many GM cars have SAAB engineering inside. That's why GM bought SAAB years ago.
Sorry i had some problems with broadband ;).
Very much for a good reason ;) Regards.
@seriousbe Skoda's are Czech in name only. They're basically Volkswagens with Skoda badges on them
In Australia the 2011 9-5 Aero with a with every extra feature they offered sold for a touch over $100k AUD (We have a 30% Luxury car Tax on top of multiple other car pricing absurdities.) In early 2013 when Saab was out of business that same 2011 9-5 Aero that had been sitting on the Dealer's Lots for 2 years essentially still brand new was selling for $35-40k. Bargain car of the decade.
Gorgeous exterior design too, years ahead of the curve as both the A4 & C Class would embrace that 'smoothed ovalised body shape' later on.
I had just bought myself a used 2005 LS430 with the Ultra Luxury Pack (meaning everything) in 2012 for $30k and it grew on me so unfortunately I didn't get the 9-5.
You know how the Japanese are considered hyper conscientious and thoughtful? The Lexus LS is the embodiment of that, the more time you spend it the more you realise how much thought care was put into it's design with the utmost sophistication and subtlety. I've yet to have a single part fail. It's 16 years old. It's basically the most reliable car ever built. Even JD Power Rankings agrees.
Should have tested a petrol version.... Even a TTiD would make all the diference.
And...Superb...? Oh, please....
I only say:
"Why do those people who have Saabs have that smile on their faces?"
by J. Clarkson in "Topgear".
@captmcneil Well they introduced a new model 1998(Astra G), I know several people who own and have driven this car well beyond 10 000 km:s.
But then I seem to recall the Astra G was a big step forward from the F.
I have a Saab that is ten years old. Two hundred fifty horsepower and 33 miles per gallon.
does somebody know how many Saab 9-5 NG in the UK are?
Looks like direct competition for the Volvo s80 rather than Mercedes E-class or BMW 5-series. Interior is attractive (like S80), but doesn't look as lushly done as the MB or BMW.
Just going to leave this here. Look at Saab's Mercs amd Bmw's from the same era Saab's still look modern.
She said "The Saab was a bit sluggish"
Never heard that said before. What a fkn divvy!!! They are fast as fk my last 8 cars have all been Saab's. First 14 were volvo,vauxhall,Bm,merc amd Audi. Would rather get the bus that drive a smackhead skoda
@LeBronForTheWin I wish I could agree but Vicki is a racing driver and she could probably drive circles around you
Skoda its better then walking, but not more !
@tuolumne9 I don't think you fully understood me, I said pass all BMW and audi, the average saab has much more bhp then the average bmw or audi.
You might as well choose a Superb over an A6 or Passat if value is all you want.
However she is right about interior looking bland.
i went to the mall today, at gamestop the cashier was wearing a Saab shirt and has owned them his whole life. he currently has 3 no sure what they exactly are.
@derbigpr500
you are so right....my old SAAB 9-3 2007 squeakad like a old russian LADA....
Now i'am waiting for my new Superb Estate!
dude u can quit boasting about skoda but that wont make them better then SAAB. Skoda is just a mix of an Audi and a VW but Saab cars have more character and better feeling of ownership!!!
This car look x100 better than the skoda superb. I seriously doubt whether anyone considering the saab would even look at the skoda, and vice versa. I think they should offer a wider choice of engines though if they want to compete with the E-class and 5-series. And bits of the dash especially round the dials look cheap.
If you want a car in this sector buy this or the XF, just for the exclusivity.
I actually like the Skoda Superb so I agree, it is a nice car.
beautiful car, nothing more to say.
Skoda superb.... I would sooner get dragged along by my testicles. What a lazy bit of auto journalism... " if you want 30 extra bhp then go for the twin turbo" are you kidding me...you buy a twin to keep the engine in such an amazing sweet spot that you get much better torque and better fuel economy with bugger all lag.
@metamorphosisfour That and all the engines Saab uses are not just poped out of GM's plant. They are all built to SAAB specs so there not really GM motors
so this is about the size of a buick regal(opel/vauxhall insignia) which competes with the acura tsx(euro honda accord) which competes with the 3 series? but this competes with the 5 series? saab, you make no sense. but i have to say, this is one beautiful car. i would buy it any day over its rivals.
@jo05dk Is there ANYTHING that GM bought and made better?
I love this design (especially the rear part) but I'm afraid Saab will have troubles with building their image. I don't think they will have enough resources to build everything in-house. So it will be basically mash-up of parts from other automakers. And that does not help when you want to compete with BMW or Merc. (Maybe against Audi that does not matter that much.)