Saab 9-7X merits a good, hard look
When American car shoppers hear the word Saab, thoughts of Sweden usually come to mind. Today, things have changed.
Saab is now owned by General Motors, and this week’s tester, the all-new 2006 Saab 9-7X, is built in Moraine, Ohio. The 9-7X is billed as a mid-luxury entry vehicle and shares platform time with SUV siblings GMC Envoy, Buick Ranier, Chevy Trailblazer and Isuzu Ascender.
With its refined, sporty looks, our tester came with a 300-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8, the first eight-cylinder ever offered in a Saab. The engine features the unique displacement on demand. DOD is similar to other engines that shut down a few cylinders while cruising to get better gas mileage.
Saab delivers in this area, as the EPA highway number moves to the magic 20-mpg mark, which is really good for an engine that delivers true performance power. You’ll be very impressed with the Saab’s acceleration. Of course, if you can’t keep your foot off the accelerator, you’re unlikely to see that 20 mpg.
The Saab’s cabin is exquisite and very comfortable. Standard features include eight-way power and heated front leather seats, power accelerator- and brake-pedal adjusters, power moonroof, Bose premium audio system with six-CD changer and XM Satellite radio.
The rear split and folding seating area includes audio controls, with 39.8 to 80.1 cubic feet of cargo space available depending on the rear seat configuration. Home Depot anyone? No problem. As for roominess, Saab delivers, as the cabin receives an A-plus.
On the road, expect the 9-7X to handle like a well-built upper-class SUV — not too soft, not too harsh. The standard five-link rear air suspension system helps keep things level, while an independent coil-over front suspension mates well with GM’s Stabilitrak-Stability Control feature.
Beautiful six-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels help in the aesthetic area, and the all-season tires and standard automatic all-wheel drive move Saab in mud, snow or an off-road excursion.
Because the 9-7X weighs a hefty 4,781-pounds, it takes 300 horsepower to move this baby with authority and then good brakes to stop it. Saab delivers with hydraulic and fully vented four-wheel disc brakes and ABS. The safety and standard feature list is huge, so let’s sum it up this way: What you pay extra for on other SUVs comes standard on the 9-7X, including side curtain airbags, a hidden, non-obtrusive, full-size spare tire, and even a tool kit under the rear seat.
Our tester had no options listed on the window sticker, keeping the car fairly priced. (Check for whatever incentives apply, and also note a 290-horsepower inline six-cylinder version is available that costs $39,240 and does 1 mpg better on the highway.
Other important numbers include a wheelbase of 113 inches, 15 mpg city EPA rating, 22-gallon fuel tank and a 6,500-pound towing capacity (yes, the hitch and wiring is standard). The only transmission available is GM’s electronically controlled four-speed automatic.
Saab’s new 9-7X receives an eight on a scale of one to 10. It’s truly worth a look, but consumers won’t be fooled by its GM platform heritage.
Likes: Best-looking of the GM mid-size SUVs, 20 mpg highway.
Dislikes: Ohio is not Sweden — vehicle’s true identity easily uncovered.