2012 Saab 9-3 Review Summaries

What reviewers liked most about the Saab 9-3:

The hand-brake lever is neatly integrated into the center console, the dual-zone HVAC system worked flawlessly, and the front sport seats (standard on the Vector model) are fantastic.

-- Car and Driver

Moreover, this 9-3 sedan still looks like a Saab — really, like a scaled-down 9-5 with more graceful lines -- and has quite a large trunk for a nonhatchback (14.8 cubic feet of capacity).

-- Edmunds.com

Rear-seat passengers get generous head- and legroom considering the size of the car. A center console can be folded down between the rear seats that contains cupholders and a map storage area.

-- New Car Test Drive

Side airbags come standard on all 9-3 models along with Saab's Active Head Restraint system that automatically cradles the head in an accident to help prevent whiplash. Active safety is helped by ABS (anti-lock brakes), electronic traction control (TCS) and an electronic stability program (ESP), all designed to help the driver maintain control.

-- New Car Test Drive

It feels strong and eager -- we were never able to catch the Garrett turbo sleeping, even away from the light. There's simply even, uninterrupted power everywhere.

-- Road & Track

What reviewers liked least about the Saab 9-3:

Inside, there's a prominent center console that's awash with Chiclets-size buttons -- 39 in all -- that are nearly impossible to discern at a glance.

-- Car and Driver

The other issue we noted during our testing was hesitation on both upshifts and downshifts in the automanual mode — in upshift situations, two taps of the shift lever were often required to coax the transmission into the next gear.

-- Edmunds.com

With 175 horsepower, the Saab 9-3 Linear model is not going to set any speed records.

-- New Car Test Drive

Saab 9-3 Comparisons:

The luxury-oriented Arc [Convertible] checks in at $40,670, while sporty Aero versions start at $43,175. Each is priced among the relevant competitors from Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volvo.

-- AutoWeek

In terms of handling, the 9-3 is not a one-to-one substitute for the rear-drive 3 Series or the all-wheel-drive A4 quattro, but among front-wheel-drive cars, it doesn't get much better than this Saab.

-- Edmunds.com

Best one-liner about the Saab 9-3:

In a bid for a larger wedge of the mainstream pie chart, this New Age Norseman even abandons that Holy Grail of Saabness, the hatchback body style.

-- Road & Track