Vehicle: 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Sedan
Price as tested: CDN$57095

Performance: Saab’s introduction of the Turbo X is supposed to be a reincarnation to the legendary 900 Turbo SPG. The SPG has always been the standard of how a sports sedan with Swedish flair should be build. Its a blast to drive without losing the composure and comfort one associates with this Swedish marque.

While the SPG didn’t have trillion horsepower, its 175hp 16-valve high-pressure turbocharged engine was a giant killer between 80-120 km/h acceleration. With the Turbo X, it receives the same GM-sourced 2.8 liter DOHC 24-valve V6 as its lesser Aero silibing. It got 280 horses and 262 lb/ft of torque, that is 25 more ponies and 5 lb/ft of torque than the standard Aero. This engine has plenty of torque as 262 lb/ft only arrives at a low 2000rpm. However, its slightly fell short when it comes to high end grunt when pushed. In the mid-range, it performs admirably if not outstandingly consider its a V6 with high-pressure turbo variety. There are many normally aspirted V6 that is able to outperform this turbo V6 in the mid-range. It certainly doesn’t have the authority of SPG’s giant killer 80-120 km/h in 2nd and 3rd gears. Throttle response is prompt and responsive. The Aero X can be opt for a 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic. The gates are notchy and throws are not well-defined. Clutch feels featherweight and lack of feedback. If you are buying an Aero X, take the 5-speed automatic because it got decent gear ratios without the compromise of the manual gearbox.

Handling: With the addition of the new and advanced Haldex AWD, which is able to transfer the power from a minimum of 5% up to 100% to the rear axle depending on which offending wheel needs extra power. Its also capable of delivering up to 40% of rear axle to the offending wheel by applying the electronic limited slip diff. Unlike the earlier Haldex design, this one is proactive instead of reactive.

Haldex AWD aside, 9-3’s chassis starts to show its age in the face of new rivals. While the chassis remains sound and stiff, it doesn’t feel as rock-solid as many of its German competitions. There remain a quite an amount of understeer even with the benefit of new AWD system. The electronic stability control has acted decently if not exceptionally uninstrsive in most cases. The steering feels featherweight and lack decent driver feedback. It needs more on and off-center feel with added precision, that’s despite the turn-in is crisp. The suspension is able to settle itself after taken a set of body rolls. Body motion control is about average if not superb as a sports sedan. Ride quality, however, its a delightful surprise. Saab engineers always able to tune their ride soft without losing the suppleness one associates with Swedish car. The X is no exception.

Brakes: With 4-wheel discs and standard ABS, the X’s pedal feel is strong and solid without any signs of fade. Both the stopping distance and pedal feel are up to the high sports sedan standards. ABS only acts necessarily when needed.

Interior: Just like X’s exterior, its only available with only one color inside. The black interior feels drab and austere, that’s despite of the aluminum and carbon fiber trims. The use of materials felt cheap and plasticky for X’s price tag. Level of fit-and-finish is about average in this class. There are just too many American GM sourced switchgears in 9-3’s cabin. While those switchgears have worked wonders in the Malibu and Aura, it doesn’t work well with a Swedish car. All those GM interior pieces have made 9-3’s interior an afterthought feel, something we don’t expect to see in a Saab.

Conclusion: So, at the end of the day, does the 9-3 Turbo X recapture the aura of the 900 Turbo SPG? I doubt it. While the SPG doesn’t have lots of horses, its chassis fitness isn’t the top of its class and the shift quality isn’t exactly crisp; its quirky and fun loving character have put lots of smiles in any enthuisast’s heart. It can’t be said about the Turbo X. Yes, it got a V6 turbo, a proper AWD and center key ignition. It just doesn’t capture the heart of the enthuisast like its forebear used to be.

As for 9-3 itself, it was considered as one of the top contenders when it first debut in 2003. Times have changed, so do the competitions. It desperately needs a complete makeover to keep it updated.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Sedan
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Performance: 3/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 3/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 2/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 3/5
Value-for-money: 2/5

Overall rating: 2.25/5