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What is it?

This is the new Saab 9-3X, which constitutes not much less than a new lease of life for Saab’s ageing compact competitor. Only available with an estate body but with either a 180bhp 1.9-litre diesel or this, a 210bhp, 2.0-litre petrol motor, the Saab 9-3X will enter the market this summer at the same time as the new Audi A4 Allroad to make a new class of compact soft-roader.

Lack of development money precludes changes to the metal on the Saab 9-3X, but the new bu...Read the full article

The main deal breaker has to be warranty. Most cars come with 3 years, is Saab going to be around to honour it in even 6 months?

Autocar:

This is the new Saab 9-3X, which constitutes not much less than a new lease of life for Saab’s ageing compact competitor.

Was it worth the effort?

Warranty is actually not a big problem in the UK.  It is backed by GM, not Saab AB (the Swedish company).

I'm not sure the lack of four wheel drive renders the diesel an off-roader in looks alone, for most purposes that soft-roaders (which includes much bigger vehicles than this) are used the ground clearance is much more important than four wheel drive.  Whilst 4x4 is useful if you're driving up a wet grass or muddy hill to collect a stray sheep, there's no need for four wheel drive on most farm or forrestry tracks and the like where it not losing your sump to the next rock that's the real problem.  I believe it would make an awful lot of sense, not least environmentally, to see more so called off roaders losing their unused four wheel drive functionality and the additional weight which comes with it.  At least then the main fuel economy/CO2 hit is from aerodynamics which is much less significant at low speeds anyway.

The Fop:

Warranty is actually not a big problem in the UK.  It is backed by GM, not Saab AB (the Swedish company).

maybe out of the frying pan into the fire on that one!

dmacdonald:

I'm not sure the lack of four wheel drive renders the diesel an off-roader in looks alone, for most purposes that soft-roaders (which includes much bigger vehicles than this) are used the ground clearance is much more important than four wheel drive.  Whilst 4x4 is useful if you're driving up a wet grass or muddy hill to collect a stray sheep, there's no need for four wheel drive on most farm or forrestry tracks and the like where it not losing your sump to the next rock that's the real problem.  I believe it would make an awful lot of sense, not least environmentally, to see more so called off roaders losing their unused four wheel drive functionality and the additional weight which comes with it.  At least then the main fuel economy/CO2 hit is from aerodynamics which is much less significant at low speeds anyway.

True, but the lack of 4WD means it is even more difficult for this car to back up the false pretense of its looks, and does effectively mean its just £3000 for a bodykit and raised suspension.

Orangewheels:

True, but the lack of 4WD means it is even more difficult for this car to back up the false pretense of its looks, and does effectively mean its just £3000 for a bodykit and raised suspension.

Agreed, although I thought I'd read here that the diesel was "only" a £1,500 premium which is more in line with what you'd expect for a bodykit and raised suspension.  Might be workng though and haven't looked for the original article!

Orangewheels:

True, but the lack of 4WD means it is even more difficult for this car to back up the false pretense of its looks, and does effectively mean its just £3000 for a bodykit and raised suspension.

Agreed, although I thought I'd read here that the diesel was "only" a £1,500 premium which is more in line with what you'd expect for a bodykit and raised suspension.  Might be workng though and haven't looked for the original article!

Dan McNeil:

Was it worth the effort?

Not really and I think that the Audi has that something that makes it still the better car. All the same the Saab has got a good an interior and that I see why it is only an estate it's trying to be Volvo. Decent amount of space in the boot and in the interior. The Saab hasn't got as good looks as the Audi But it's certenly got the space!