2011 Saab 9-3 SportCombi Review

Overview

Saab's 9-3 SportCombi comes with a quiet cabin, precise steering, responsive driving system, supportive front seats, and a variety of trims. The 2011 Saab 9-3 SportCombi is a four-door five-passenger luxury wagon available in two trims - 9-3 2.0T SportCombi and 9-3 Aero SportCombi.

Power and performance

A 210-hp, 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder turbocharged engine and a six-speed manual transmission are standard. A five-speed Sentronic automatic transmission with manual mode is standard on 9-3 Aero SportCombi and optional on 9-3 2.0T SportCombi. Both are front-wheel drive models. The 9-3 SportCombi delivers 21 mpg in city and 31 mpg on highways with automatic transmission and the figures drop to 19/27 with automatic. It offers a cargo space of 59.5 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.

Body and styling

Aerodynamic headlamps; halogen projector beam; xenon cornering headlamps; roof rails; high-pressure headlamp washers; front and rear fog lamps; 6-jet high-pressure windshield washers; side-mounted direction-indicator lamps; undercoating and anti-corrosion treatment; body-colored lower bumper and rocker sills body-colored outer door handles; dual bright-finish exhaust tailpipes; and rear matte chrome decor strip form the exterior of the 2011 Saab 9-3 SportCombi. The 9-3 2.0T SportCombi rides on 16-inch 14-spoke alloy wheels while the 9-3 Aero SportCombi cruises on 17-inch five-spoke split alloy wheels. The standard features include eight-way power driver's seat, Dual Zone Automatic Climate Control system (ACC), leather seats, metallic-rimmed gauges and leather-trimmed sport steering wheel. A Premium Audio System with 150W and seven speakers is standard on the 9-3 2.0T SportCombi and the 9-3 Aero SportCombi comes with Bose Centerpoint Surround Sound System.

Safety Features

Tire-pressure monitoring system; lower child-seat anchorage points on rear outer seats (LATCH system); daytime running lamps; Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) on front seats; traction control system (TCS); electronic stability program (ESP); anti-lock braking system (ABS); electronic brake-force distribution (EBD); front seats safety belt pre-tensioners and load limiters; and rear doors child safety locks are among the standard safety and security features on the 2011 Saab 9-3 SportCombi.