Saab cars have always had a special look and feel that sets them apart from the rest of the European sport sedan market. In particular, the 9-3 sedans and coupes have been much loved in this country for the way they perform, their tough safety records and their conveniently accessible cargo area. That last point refers to the fact that up until now, Saab 900-series cars have always had a hatchback design, as opposed to a trunk. While this feature delighted a select few, many upscale buyers equated the hatchback design with lesser economy cars and thought it was out-of-place. So to the lament of those before mentioned select few, the Saab 9-3 now has a proper trunk, but the advantages made to the car's stability, rigidity and performance more than eclipse the downside of losing this time-honored Saab tradition.
The 9-3 still looks like a Saab should look; it has a sweeping beltline that rises up at the rear C- pillar, a tapered front end with the trademark Saab grille and a high rear end punctuated by two large, wrap-around tail lamps. But this new 9-3 also has a sleeker look, a bit meaner and more aggressive than the old 9-3, with less vertical appearance. For now, the only 4-door 9-3 model available in the U.S. is the Linear, with the upscale Arc and speed demon Vector arriving later in the spring of 2003. Still, for an entry-level trim, the 9-3 Linear is quite a ride. Gone from the line-up is the 2-door coupe, though the convertible 9-3 carries on with the old body.
If you've ever driven an older Saab 9-3, especially the more potent models, you'll understand why attaining a stiffer body structure was so important to the engineers of the new 9-3. Gone is the flexing body and shaking gearshift lever that lurched about whenever the slightest torque passed through its base. The new 9-3 is solid as a rock; stable at all speeds and sporting a newfound sense of athleticism. Though still pulled by its front wheels, the new 9-3 exhibits none of the torque steer its predecessor suffered. Thanks to a dynamic new rear suspension and the use of electronic stability control, you can push the 9-3 pretty far before the traction control module reduces power or you reach the point where the car begins to plow. The driving dynamics are not as good as those found on rear-drive cars like the BMW 3-series, but they are not far off. You'll find the 9-3's steering to be heavily weighted, with good on-center feel and very little play. You'll also find the 9-3's ability to come to a quick stop is most impressive.
Steering, handling and braking are only part of the performance equation; acceleration is the other. If you want to buy a 9-3 today, for now you'll have to live with the 2.0-liter turbo-charged four-cylinder engine; not that it will be a hard life, given the engines 175-horsepower output and 5-speed manual transmission (a five-speed automatic is optional). Later in the model run, when the Arc and Vector arrive, you may feel a bit bullied by their high-output versions of the same 2.0-liter engine, rated at 210 horsepower; until that time, you'll enjoy brisk acceleration with only the slightest hint of turbo lag in the low rpm range. Passing power is also excellent for a four-cylinder engine and the 9-3 can easily have you well into illegal speed ranges before you know it. You'll also enjoy one of the best 5-speed transmissions ever to be fitted to a Saab. The shifts are crisp and smooth, with the gearshift sliding effortlessly into each slot; a far cry from the previous 9-3 manual.
The new 9-3 has also been spiffed up inside. The dash and door panels are covered in a higher grade of plastic and the signature Saab oval dash has been neatly integrated to suit the new car's more angular appearance. If you like seats that you sit in and not on, you'll love the 9-3's front buckets; they have a nice feel with solid side and lower leg bolsters and a specially designed head restraint designed to reduce the incidence of whiplash should you get bumped from behind. The 9-3 features loads of standard goodies, including power windows, power door locks, air conditioning, heated power outside mirrors, AM/FM stereo with CD, leather seats, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with touch controls for audio, cruise control, traction control and 15-inch alloy wheels.
A worthwhile upgrade is the limited run Launch package, which includes 16-inch alloy wheels, power driver's seat, power moonroof, 6-disc CD changer and upgraded infotainment audio system.
