2009 SAAB 9-3 SPORTCOMBI Review

Overview

Saab's 9-3 SportCombi comes with a quiet cabin, precise steering, responsive driving system, supportive front seats, and a variety of trims. It was restyled last year with some aggressive exterior and subtle interior features. The 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi, a carry over from 2008, is a four-door five-passenger luxury wagon available in five trims - 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Touring, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Comfort, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi XWD, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi, and 9-3 Aero SportCombi.

Powertrain And Performance

A 210-hp, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine is standard on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Touring, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Comfort, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi XWD, 9-3 2.0T SportCombi, and 9-3 Aero SportCombi trims. A 280-hp, 2.8-liter, 6-cylinder turbocharged engine powers the 9-3 Aero SportCombi. A six-speed manual transmission is standard on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Touring and optional on all other trims. A five-speed Sentronic automatic transmission with manual mode is standard on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Comfort and 9-3 2.0T SportCombi and optional on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi Touring. A six-speed Sentronic automatic transmission with manual mode is standard on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi XWD and 9-3 Aero SportCombi.

Build And Styling

Aerodynamic headlamps; halogen projector beam; xenon cornering headlamps; roof rails; high-pressure headlamp washers; front and rear fog lamps; 6-jet high-pressure windshield washers; side-mounted direction-indicator lamps; undercoating and anti-corrosion treatment; body-colored lower bumper and rocker sills body-colored outer door handles; dual bright-finish exhaust tailpipes; and rear matte chrome decor strip form the exterior of the 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. Leather-appointed seats; cup holders in center console; XM Satellite Radio and rear seat premium audio system with 150W and seven speakers; Bluetooth Phone Integration System; MP3-compatible auxiliary input jack; DVD-based navigation system; CD player; plush carpet floor mats; and storage compartments in doors and front seat-backs are standard. Premium natural leather upholstery, adjustable headrests, and rear center seat are optional. Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System and 6-disc in-dash CD changer are also optional. Premium package with xenon cornering headlamps; rear park assist; red walnut decor on the doors and gear lever surround; metallic d??cor on the glove box; front fog lamps; 8-way power passenger seat; and 3-position memory for the driver's seat and mirrors is available on the 2.0T trims. Cold Weather Package and Moonroof Package are also available.

Safety Features

Tire-pressure monitoring system; lower child-seat anchorage points on rear outer seats (LATCH system); daytime running lamps; OnStar; Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) on front seats; traction control system (TCS); electronic stability program (ESP); anti-lock braking system (ABS); electronic brake-force distribution (EBD); front seats safety belt pre-tensioners and load limiters; and rear doors child safety locks are among the standard safety and security features on the 2009 Saab 9-3 SportCombi.