Review and specifications
2008 Saab 9-5
Saab's 9-5 is a competent car with capable and secure handling. The ride is firm and compliant, but road noise is pronounced. The turbocharged 2.3-liter, 170-hp four-cylinder (185 hp from 2000 on) provides ample acceleration. The 3.0-liter, 200-hp V6 is smoother, quieter, and stronger. A higher-performance 230-hp Aero model was added for 2000. Aside from styling updates the 9-5 was largely unchanged through 2009.
- Market value
- $4,800
- Fuel
- Conventional
- Transmission
- Manual
- Seats
- 5
At a glance
Model data
Overview
- Powertrain
- Conventional
- Body style
- wagon
- Drive type
- FWD
- Transmission
- Manual, 5-speed
- Category
- Midsized cars
- Generation began
- 1999
Pricing
- Current retail median
- $4,800
- Retail value range
- $4,475 - $5,025
- Original MSRP range
- $37,685 - $40,070
- Trade-in range
- $1,565 - $2,020
Ratings
- Road test score
- 86/100
Fuel economy
- EPA city
- 19 MPG
- EPA highway
- 29 MPG
- EPA combined
- 22 MPG
- Tested city
- 13 MPG
- Tested highway
- 43 MPG
- Tested overall
- 22 MPG
- Annual fuel cost
- $2,195
- Cruising range
- 410 miles
Road tests
- 0-30 mph
- 3.3 sec
- 0-60 mph
- 8.8 sec
- 60-0 mph braking
- 138 ft
- Avoidance speed
- 51 mph
- Test status
- Test Completed
Dimensions
- Length
- 190 in
- Width
- 71 in
- Height
- 58 in
- Wheelbase
- 106 in
- Weight
- 3,540 lb
- Maximum load
- 930 lb
- Towing capacity
- 3,500 lb
Interior
- Seating
- 5 people
- Front head room
- 3.5 in
- Front leg room
- 41.5 in
- Rear head room
- 3.5 in
- Rear leg room
- 28.5 in
- Cargo volume
- 35 cu ft
Brand context
About Saab
Saab is a now-defunct Swedish automotive manufacturer that became known in the 1980s for safety and small turbocharged engines. General Motors acquired the brand in 2000 and turned it into another GM division. Although all models shared some designs, parts, and technology with other GM products, some Saabs were “Saabier” than others. The 9-7X, for example, was essentially a rebadged Chevrolet TrailBlazer with its ignition moved to the center console. GM sold Saab during its late-2000s bankruptcy. Later, it was briefly owned by Spyker Automobiles and then National Electric Vehicle Sweden (NEVS). Saab’s last vehicles were the 2011 9-5 sedan, which had a lot in common with the Buick Lacrosse, and the 2011 9-4X, which shared its underlying design with the Cadillac SRX. As with many defunct brands, owners have reported difficulties obtaining replacement parts for these models, which were only built in small numbers.
Vehicle ID: 8390 First published: July 22, 2020 Updated: December 4, 2025
Values may vary by trim, options, location, and market conditions.
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