Vehicle: 2009 Saab 9-3 2.0T XWD sedan with Premium leather trim, 6-speed Sensotronic transmission, premium package and sunroof
Price as tested: CDN$48500

New-for-2009, Saab has finally added its Cross Wheel Drive to its base 2.0T trim, in addition to 2.8TS Aero and limited edition Aero X. So how will this proven 210hp 2.0 liter turbocharged engine combined with automatic and additional weight of XWD, or what Saab named its AWD?

Without a doubt, Saab’s legendary 2.0 liter turbocharged engine always provide impressive refinement and flexability after years serving the stable. Its also proven to be more reliable and dependable than GM-sourced V6 in uplevel Aero trim. With 210hp and 221 lb/ft torque carrying north of 1700 lb of leather-lined Swedish luxury, this 9-3 XWD provides really good performance. Not only does the 9-3 has excellent throttle response. It doesn’t have the sluggishness of weighting in the AWD components when matching with automatic transmission. The biggest offenders of having a sluggish and underpowered automatic AWD are definitely Lexus with its IS250 and BMW with its 328Xi. The IS250 has 6 fewer horses while the BMW has 20 more ponies than the Saab. But none of them provide the same grunt as the 9-3. On the other hand, 9-3 still feel short of torque when compares to our class favourites: Audi A4 2.0T Quattro and Mercedes C300 4-Matic. Both of these simply has the best performance versus all-wheel drive security in a wonderful all-rounded package in the market these days.

When it comes to driving experience, 9-3 still provides very much of the “Saab feel” that we have always been enjoyed. That’s despite the chassis already felt aged when compare to many of its rivals. However, this Swede has lots of merits that we always like since the introduction of the current 9-3 back in 2003. Its ReAxs suspension provides an oversteer feel when driven hard in the corners. That makes 9-3 has the rear-wheel-drive feel without losing the traction of AWD. The steering provides decent feedback. While there remains some body rolls, it tends to settle itself through a set of corners without losing its composure. Best of all, its ride quality is supple without being harsh. Its European firm and far from being unbearable.

What we are still disappointed remains the interior quality. There are just too many GM switchgears from corporate parts bin to put together in the dashboard. It simply lacks the elegance and classy fit-and-finish that we used to expect from Saab. On the other hand, those leather seats are simply superb when it comes to comfort and support.

At the time of our writing, Saab already filed bankruptcy as an independent company from General Motors. The current 9-3 is the perfect example of how GM managed or mismanaged this niche Swedish company. When it first came on the market in 2004, many believed it is the “turnaround car” for Saab to make profit and volume. As time goes by, GM beancounters began cutting corners, as witnessed with its interior materials and fit-and-finish. Its also a pity, given Saab as an innovative company, that they were the last carmaker in Europe to get AWD. Although XWD is a great system from Haldex, its a bit too late to get into AWD party. Saab is better off independent by engineered some of the most uniquely designed and innovative products. In the meantime, they need a truly remarkable turnaround car that is completely knock the competitions off the chart. The current 9-3, even with its Aero X, isn’t exactly able to send rivals back to their drawing board when it comes to performance and packaging. Unlike its forebears, 900 Turbo and 9000 Aero did. This company needs exactly that kind of product to have a dramatic turnaround. Have we ever heard of this kind of turnaround stories before? Audi was able to turn itself around when they came out with 96 A4 after the unfounded “60 Minutes Unintended Acceleration incident with 5000″ in 1987. Nissan was able to have a turnaround with 2001 Altima, when it was almost go bankruptcy in 2000. Both of these companies were almost bankrupt and left North American markets entirely.

Will Saab able to turnaround after going independence? Are the products they are coming on the horizon finally capture its soul back without relying on GM? You will be the first to know here in Directshift.