2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi Review

Overview

Saab's 9-5 SportCombi premium midsize five-door hatchback, replaced the Saab 9000 for the 1999 model year. For 2008, the Saab 9-5 SportCombi added a standard OnStar safety and security system, a tire-pressure-monitoring system, rain-sensing windshield wipers, and leather-appointed sport seats. The Aero version upgraded to new five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels; power-folding mirrors were added on the Visibility Package; new exterior colors included Snow Silver and Pepper Green. There are no changes to the Saab 9-5 for 2009. The 2009 Saab 9-5 is available as a wagon called the SportCombi, which is available in two trim levels: the 2.3T Base and the Aero version.

Power and performance

All 9-5 SportCombi wagons are front-wheel drive and equipped with a turbocharged 2.3-liter inline-4 engine that delivers 260 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard and a five-speed manual is optional. EPA fuel economy is 17/26 mpg (city/highway) on the automatic 2.3T model.

Body and styling

The 2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi has a comfortable cabin with plenty of passenger room. The SportCombi is ideal for buyers who need extra cargo space and is a good alternative to an SUV as it offers 37 cubic feet of luggage capacity with the rear seats up and 73 cubic feet with rear seats folded. Standard equipment on the 2.3T includes harman/kardon AM/FM radio with in-dash 6-disc CD changer; digital-media player connection; satellite radio; air conditioning with dual-zone automatic climate controls; interior air filter; OnStar assistance system with one-year service; tilt/telescopic leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls; cruise control; leather upholstery; heated front and rear seats; power front bucket seats with driver-seat lumbar adjustment; memory system; center console; split folding rear seat with trunk pass-through; wood interior trimmings; heated power mirrors with turn signals; power windows; power door locks; remote keyless entry; power sunroof; tachometer; compass; outside-temperature indicator; trip computer; automatic rearview mirror; universal garage door opener; cooled glove box; illuminated visor mirrors; rain-sensing variable-intermittent wipers; rear defogger; rear wiper automatic headlights; and floor mats.

Safety Features

Standard safety equipment on the 2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi includes OnStar communications system; anti-lock disc brakes; stability control; traction control; active head restraints; and front-seat side airbags that provide head and torso protection. The 9-5 earned five stars, the highest, for driver and front passenger protection in frontal impacts in NHTSA crash tests; and five stars for front passenger protection and four stars for rear protection in side-impact tests. The IIHS awarded the 2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi the rating of "Good" (the highest) in frontal-offset crash testing and "Acceptable" for side-impact protection.