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2003 Saab 9-5 Review
Fast, stable and comfortable.
2003 9-5 Review Summary & Specifications
The Saab 9-5 doesn't look like other cars. The 9-5 is fast and luxurious. It feels very stable on the highway and has a comfortable, well-designed interior. SportWagon models add a flat, spacious cargo bay.The Saab 9-5 Aero is a great car: stylish, comfortable, luxurious, fast, a joy to drive. If you like the feel of a turbocharged engine, the 9-5 Aero is a real winner. Aero and Arc models seem best paired with the optional automatic transmission. Smooth and responsive, the five-speed automatic works well with the Saab turbocharged engines. It also eliminates some of the legendary Saab quirkiness. Loyal Saab owners, however, may prefer the five-speed manual.
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| Vehicle Category | Midsize Cars |
| Editor | Mitch McCullough, NCTD editor-in-chief |
| Model Lineup | Linear 2.3t ($33,995); Arc 3.0t ($38,650); Aero ($38,650); Linear 2.3t SportWagon ($34,695); Arc 3.0t SportWagon ($39,350); Aero SportWagon ($39,350) |
| Engines (standard) | 3.0-liter turbocharged 4v dohc V6 |
| Transmissions (standard) | five-speed Sentronic automatic |
| Engines (optional) | 185-hp 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve turbocharged inline-4; 200-hp 3.0-liter DOHC 24-valve asymmetrically turbocharged V6; 250-hp 2.3-liter DOHC 16-valve turbocharged inline-4 |
| Transmissions (optional) | 5-speed manual; 5-speed automatic |
| Safety Equipment (standard) | ABS, traction control, stability control, dual front airbags, side-impact protection system, active head restraints, Saab Safeseat with anti-submarining feature, childproof rear door locks and windows, front seat belt fit adjusters, seat belt pretensioners, rear fog lights |
| Safety Equipment (optional) | none |
| Basic Warranty | 4 years/50,000 miles |
| Assembled In | Trollhattan, Sweden |
| Manufacturer Phone | 1-800-SAAB-USA |
| Manufacturer URL | www.saabusa.com |
| Base Price MSRP | 33995 |
| Model Tested MSRP | Saab 9-5 Arc SportWagon ($39,350) |
| Standard Equipment | leather upholstery, three-position driver's seat memory, heated front and rear seats, ventilated front seats, automatic climate control with driver/passenger temperature controls, cabin air filter, power windows, power heated mirrors, power central locking with keyless remote, double sun visors, dual illuminated vanity mirrors, refrigerated glove box, floor mats, cruise control, tilt/telescope steering wheel, leather-trimmed steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake lever, AM/FM/CD/cassette Harman Kardon stereo with amplifier and nine speakers, power sunroof, front and rear fog lights, headlamp washer/wiper, front cornering lights, side guidance reverse lights, side-mounted direction indicator lights, Sentronic five-speed automatic transmission |
| Destination Charge | 625 |
| Options as Tested (MSRP) | metallic paint ($475) |
| Gas Guzzler Tax | |
| Price as Tested | 42945 |
| Layout | front-wheel drive |
| Horse Power | 200 @ 5000 |
| Torque | 229 @ 2500-4000 |
| Fuel Economy | 18/26 |
| Wheelbase | 106.4 |
| Length/Width/Height | 190.1/70.5/57.0 |
| Track Front/Rear | |
| Turning Radius | 37.1 |
| Seating Capacity | 5 |
| Front Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.7/NA/42.4 |
| Middle Head/Hip/Leg room | |
| Rear Head/Hip/Leg room | 38.2/NA/36.6 |
| Trunk Volume | 73.0 |
| Payload | |
| Towing Capacity | |
| Front Suspension | independent, MacPherson strut with coil springs, twin-pipe gas shocks, anti-roll bar |
| Rear Suspension | independent, multi-link with coil springs, gas shocks, inner and outer anti-roll bars |
| Ground Clearance | |
| Curb Weight | 3580 |
| Stock Tires | P215/55VR16 |
| Brakes Front/Rear | vented disc/vented disc with ABS, EBD |
| Fuel Capacity | 18.5 |
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