Saab 9-5 2.0t Range
Entry-level executive cars used to start at around £20,000. Not any more. The cheapest BMW 5 Series and Mercedes E-class models are in the £25,000 bracket. Refreshing then, to find that Saabs entry-level 9-5 2.
0t costs from £21,480.
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8 models available, as well as a four cylinder 1.9 TiD 150bhp diesel. The 9-5 line-up has been much improved in recent times, notably with that new front end. The chrome headlight surrounds and clean finish to the grille and bumper sections give the 9-5 serious presence without resorting to the sorts of me-too contrivances that have afflicted certain rivals.
The facelift goes a whole lot further than a mere window dressing, however, and Saab claim that every piece of panelling ahead of the windscreen pillars is new. The rear end has been tidied and modernised with a more streamlined-looking rear valance and bumper assembly. Drop inside and youll be able to tell its a Saab even if youre wearing a blindfold. The cliff-like fascia, the odd combination of super-soft thermoplastics and harder materials more akin to a mainstream car and the key slot on the transmission tunnel mark the 9-5 down as a product that could only have come from Trollhattan.
The rather unusual steering wheel design debuted in the 9-3, not the Flash Gordon movies as some may suspect, and is actually rather more pleasant to use than its looks would suggest. There are also a number of small detail changes to the instruments and cabin. Chrome-ringed dials, an uprated information system, better quality ventilation controls and the repositioning of some minor functions to help ergonomics are all welcome, but expect a cutting edge executive car interior and youre likely to be disappointed. Swedish functionality wins out over design flair in this instance.
"The recent improvements, together with some notable company car tax benefits, put the 9-5 2.0t in a strong position"
The 2.0-litre engines torque figure of 177lb/ft gives it an advantage over many executive rivals. This lends the Saab a more imperious outside lane attitude and the engines bigger muscles can be felt around town when you wont need to trouble the gearstick to frequently. The sprint to 60mph takes just 9.
6 seconds, whilst the top speed of 134mph is again very class-competitive. The 9-5s chassis is, much as Saab hate us noting, based on an extended Vauxhall Vectra platform, itself not the first place youd start to build a credible executive express. Over the years however, Saab have fettled this pigs ear into something that may not feel like a silk purse but comes laudably close. Whereas the original 9-5 model felt quite skittery when you applied the power to the front wheels mid-corner, the latest generation car deploys its power far more cleanly, making it feel more of a drivers tool than the old motorway mogul ever was.
With weight taken out of the subframe and more rigidity built in, the Saab feels lighter on its feet than of old, and the chassis engineers have also had a fiddle with the damper, springs and roll bar settings. The result is a far sportier drive than whilst still retaining a degree of suppleness. Aside from the most astonishing cup-holder in the automotive world, there are the typical Saab design cues including the centrally mounted ignition barrel and vertiginous fascia. Its neither slick nor pretty but it feels rock solid and incredibly well thought through.
In terms of cabin space, youll find a decent amount of elbow room and (in the estate) a decent 416-litre boot which grows to 890 litres with the rear seats folded. In the saloon, there's 15.9 cu/ft of luggage capacity accessible via split-folding rear seats that also feature a ski-flap. Safety as ever, has also been a priority and all the obvious protection is there, with careful touches that even stretch to anti-whiplash head restraints and those pre-tensioning seat belts. In summary, the latest Saab 9-5 2.
0t has set itself a very big mountain to climb. Still, the recent improvements, together with some notable company car tax benefits, put it in a strong position. If you dont care for badge snobbery, the 9-5s case looks even stronger. Check one out before you take a more conventional choice.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Saab 9-5 2.0t Range
PRICES: £21,480- £25,905 on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 13
CO2 EMISSIONS: 218g/km
PERFORMANCE: 0-60mph 9.7s / Max Speed 134mph
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (urban) 21.2mpg / (extra urban) 39.8mpg / (combined) 30mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: Twin airbags, front side airbags, ABS
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height 4810/2040/1450mm
