Home / Vehicle Search / Saab / 2008 Saab 9-5 SportCombi / Reviews
2008 Saab 9-5 SportCombi
2008 Saab 9-5 SportCombi
Sleek Scandinavian Station Wagon
The quirky Saab 9-5 SportCombi station wagon is an engaging alternative to a crossover SUV.
While the Saab wagon has lost a bit of its quirky Swedish appeal over the years, it remains distinctively styled and carries over traditional Saab affectations, like the ignition key on the floor between the two front seats.
• Get a Saab 9-5 SportCombi price quote
The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is offered in base and Aero versions, and as a sedan (which is reviewed separately, although the mechanical details are virtually identical).
A 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder is the only available engine in the Saab 9-5 SportCombi. Despite its size, it generates impressive power with good fuel economy, and it is more than sufficient to get the 9-5 up to highway speeds at a brisk pace. For many years, Saab’s Swedish engineers have insisted that a turbocharged four-cylinder engine is the ideal compromise of power and fuel efficiency.
As European tradition dictates, a five-speed manual transmission is standard. Most buyers will likely be happier with the optional five-speed automatic, which includes a manual shift function.
• See Saab 9-5 SportCombi specs
The suspension in the Saab 9-5 SportCombi delivers a smooth ride with better-than-average handling abilities. It’s not as sporty as a BMW 5 Series Wagon, but then the 9-5’s ride is less harsh. Those willing to accept an edgier ride in exchange for sharper cornering will want to opt for the Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi, which features a sport-tuned chassis.
Safety features included with the Saab 9-5 SportCombi are plentiful and range from front side airbags to active front-seat head restraints that minimize whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are standard for secure stopping. Stability control and traction control are also included on the Saab 9-5 SportCombi to help keep the car on track during extreme conditions or handling situations.
• Saab 9-5 SportCombi Vehicle Summary
The leather-clad cabin in the Saab 9-5 SportCombi is spacious, comfortable, and efficiently designed. The 60/40-split rear seat backs fold forward to maximize its cargo-carrying capacity.
The Saab 9-5 SportCombi is particularly practical, and for some owners it can be an alternative to a bulkier and less-sporty crossover SUV. Unfortunately, unlike some rivals, such as the Audi A6 Avant, the 9-5 SportCombi is not available with all-wheel drive.
• See all Saab models in the Saab Showroom
One feature that’s unique to the Saab 9-5 SportCombi is a cooled glove box that allows passengers to keep a few bottles or cans chilled when the air-conditioning is engaged. The 9-5 was also one of the first cars to offer optional front seats that are perforated, heated, and ventilated. The front seats have their own fans that keep them cool and dry on a warm day, or warm and dry on a cold day. Some competitors offer ventilated seats, but only on their most expensive models, and some competing systems are noisy with the fan on full-blast. Only a handful of other options are offered, and the Saab 9-5 Sedan lags a bit behind most other midsize luxury wagons in terms of the latest high-tech gadget features.
You want a roomy and comfortable European station wagon that’s a step off-center compared to more mainstream models.
You require more power, high-tech features, rear- or all-wheel drive, or a more prestigious nameplate; you don’t want a station wagon, in which case the 9-5 Sedan might fit the bill.
Five passengers can take a trip in relative comfort, with ample cargo room for their luggage.
One of the many beefs that Saab purists have is that under GM, Saab dropped hatchbacks in favor of sedans, wagons, and even an SUV. Veteran Saab owners squawked about the 9-5 Sedan when it debuted for the 1999 model year, because it came in sedan or wagon body styles, but no hatchback. For many years, the Saab brand was associated with the hatchback body style. Families in Europe tend to own fewer cars than American families, so hatchbacks are prized for their versatility. However, hatchbacks are unpopular in the United States.
New-Car Pricing
Get a free online price quote from a dealer near you: