Category: Compact Executive 
Price Range: £19,995 to £28,751
Well-designed, capable and credible alternative to the German cars in this class. Excellent engines, fine cabin and satisfying to drive. And a little different
Styling a little bland, ride poor with some wheel/tyre combinations, not quite as accomplished as BMW 3-Series, noisy diesels
A Saab for which excuses need not be made, and a satisfying, sensible buy to boot
The 9-3 has not only scored the full five stars in the NCAP crash tests (though it only netted one for pedestrian protection), but has also been engineered on the basis of evidence gathered from real-life crashes, which Saab, long committed to safety standards that go well beyond what is legislated for, has been collecting for years. To this end the Sport Saloon boasts an uprated safety cage, more effective crumple zones, whiplash-countering head restraints and intelligent airbag systems, roof-mounted airbags and ABS with EBD (electronic brakeforce distribution), CBC (cornering brake control) and optional ESP (electronic stability programme). Security measures include deadlocks, unique-fit stereos and advanced immobiliser and alarms. Insurers rate it as the most secure Saab yet.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Saab 9 3
wrote on 20 09 2007
wrote on 13 08 2007
wrote on 23 08 2006