A quick glance at the figures tells you a lot about the nature of this car’s performance. The engine doesn’t have the typical character of a turbo-diesel, and rather than the sudden rush of torque found in the likes of the Audi A4 2.0 TDi the 1.9 revs cleanly and progressively to its red line like a petrol engine, with useable power even in the engine’s upper rev range. The result is that the 9-3 is a deceptively fast car, able to cover ground rapidly but without ever quite relaying the urgent thrust that some of its rivals can muster. At times that can make the Saab less exciting than those competitors, although there is no denying its effectiveness. It scores well for refinement too, with a soft-edged note to what little diesel chatter there is either at idle or when under load. Sadly, the gearshift is unsatisfying, with a vague, long-travel shift at odds with the engine’s more sporty feel.
That Saab views the 9-3 as a sports saloon is further confirmed by the sports suspension fitted to our Vector Sport test car. Using a platform adapted from the Vauxhall Vectra, it employs MacPherson struts up front with Saab’s own multi-link suspension at the rear. It’s a chassis whose character is much like the engine’s – it’s impressively competent, but fails to ignite much of a spark. There’s little roll, and no shortage of lateral grip from the 225/45 R17 tyres, but it’s the steering that betrays the 9-3 TiD, being light and short of any meaningful feedback, though it is accurate and mostly free from kickback. You can comfortably guide the 9-3 through a sequence of corners at a considerable rate or with laidback ease, but either way, it’s not an experience that will fire the imagination. The tyre and suspension combination of this 9-3 produces a firm ride that denies it real fluidity, although it never gets truly uncomfortable. As the speed rises the ride improves, but the 9-3 can’t match a BMW 3-series for body control on a challenging road
