2007 Saab 9-3 Trims and Specs

The Sport Sedan 2.0T may be the base model 9-3, but that's not saying it is basic per se. This well-appointed four-door comes with enough standard equipment to please nearly any fussbudget you may know.

Its 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 210 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft. of torque; providing 22-miles to the gallon in city driving and 30 on the highway. The standard transmission is a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive, but a 5-speed Sentronic automatic transmission, which allows clutchless manual shifting, is a popular option.

Some of the standard features on the 2.0T are there to maintain vehicle control. Those would be ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, the Traction Control System, and the Electronic Stability Program. For occupant safety there are front airbags, seat-mounted side-impact airbags, and side curtain airbags, plus Active Head Restraints.

Auto climate control joins the list of standard amenities this year, joining other comfort-enhancing items such as the well-designed leather seats (with 8-way power-adjust for the driver). The interior is appealing enough with its wood-effect trim, leather trimmed steering wheel, and carpeted floor mats, and respiratory irritation is staved off thanks to the standard cabin air filter. Get this one: the glove compartment doubles as a cooler, as it can be chilled to 45 degrees! Exterior amenities range from all-season tires on 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and a rear fog light to side direction signals and heated power mirrors.

Optional equipment is mainly grouped into packages. There's the Premium Package (express open/close for windows and moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fog lamps, red walnut interior trim, power seat for front passenger, Saab Park Assist, and upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels) and an upgraded Premium Package that adds 17-inch wheels.

The Cold-Weather Package (high-pressure headlamp washers and heated front seats) is quite popular for the latter feature, and this year a 60th Anniversary Package is available to commemorate that milestone. It adds a lot of special options, starting with an Ice Blue metallic paint not otherwise available. Other features exclusive to this package are its specially embossed leather seats with grey panels, black and grey floor mats, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power passenger seat, rear spoiler, fog lamps in front, and dark walnut interior accents. If you purchase the 60th Anniversary Package you may then also add the Premium Audio Package to get a 9-speaker Bose system with 6-CD changer.

Since the Aero trim of the 9-3 Sports Sedan lists for about 25 percent more than the 2.0T, you'd expect it to be at least that much more decked out than its baes-model sibling. Sure enough, it has more standard features and many upgrades, the most important of which is the 2.8-liter V6.

This larger engine, which is of course turbocharged, features variable valve timing and puts out 250 horses; it comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive or an available 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive (the latter is a step up from the auto tranny available on the 2.0T, which had but 5 speeds). Fuel economy in the city is an unimpressive 18 miles per gallon, while highway travel is rated at 28 mpg.

Other basic upgrades to equipment include 17-inch alloy wheels vs. the 2.0T's 16-inchers, xenon headlights, a sportier suspension, and larger brakes. Improvements to the interior start with way-comfy bolstered sport seats and run to prettier accents such as the chrome instrument surrounds, aluminum steering wheel accents, and real walnut trim. The audio system also gets upgraded to a 9-speaker Bose with 6-CD in-dash changer, and XM Satellite Radio becomes standard equipment.

The Aero receives power-adjust seats for both driver and passenger, plus a power moonroof, On the outside you'll notice front and rear fog lamps, a bright-finished dual exhaust, a rear spoiler, and body-colored door handles, rocker panels and lower bumper. But perhaps the most interesting and unique amenity that buyers or lessees of this trim receive is attendance at the Aero Academy, a two-day class in performance driving. Attendees pay for their transportation to and lodging in Atlanta and then they spend the two days practicing various driving techniques on a safe course and learning how to appreciate and get the most out of their new car's performance abilities.

Like every Saab, the Sport Sedan Aero is chockfull of safety assurances, for example a full slate of airbags, Active Head Restraints, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, traction and stability control, 2007 marks the third straight year that the 9-3 Sport Sedan has earned the IIHS's Top Safety Pick Award in the mid-sized sedan category.

Although the Saab 9-3's reliability rating has failed to impress, reviewers have taken note of the Aero's improved handling, stability, and cornering, due to its stiffer sport suspension. That said, some feel that it is too stiff. Some reviewers have also noted a bit of turbo lag, but it's neither severe nor unexpected.

Saab has staked a reputation on performance-oriented vehicles that are made to deal with cold climates. A "four-season car" is how they put it. Well, when you drive a 9-3 Convertible, it's not difficult to determine what your favorite season will be.

The fully automatic top retracts at the touch of a button into its stowage compartment, where a tastefully camouflaging cover conceals it until it's time to close up. When those top-down days are still months away, you won't feel a chill, thanks to the triple-ply insulation within the fabric.

The 9-3 Convertible 2.0T's signature turbocharged 4-cylinder engine produces 210 horsepower and 221 lb.-ft. of torque; you can expect 22 miles to the gallon in city driving and 30 on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard issue, but a 5-speed Sentronic automatic transmission, which allows for clutchless manual shifting, is a popular option.

Saftey features abound on this car, as with every Saab, some designed to protect passengers and others designed to prevent collisions in the first place. The list includes a full complement of airbags, Active Head Restraints, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, the Traction Control System, the Electronic Stability Program, and Load-Shift Protection, which keeps cargo from moving into the passenger compartment in a frontal collision.

Auto climate control joins the list of standard amenities this year, joining other comfort-enhancing items such as the well-designed leather seats (with 8-way power-adjust for the driver). The interior is appealing enough with its wood-effect trim, leather trimmed steering wheel, and carpeted floor mats, and respiratory irritation is staved off thanks to the standard cabin air filter. Get this one: the glove compartment doubles as a cooler, as it can be chilled to 45 degrees! Exterior amenities range from all-season tires on 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels and a rear fog light to side direction signals and heated power mirrors.

Items for fully loading your 9-3 Convertible tend to be grouped into packages, although individual items can be added in a few cases. There are two optional convertible-top colors: Sand and Blue, and a Navigation System is available as well as the OnStar system.

As far as the packages there's the Premium Package (express open/close for windows and moonroof, rain-sensing windshield wipers, fog lamps, red walnut interior trim, power seat for front passenger, Saab Park Assist, and upgraded 16-inch alloy wheels) and an upgraded Premium Package that adds 17-inch wheels. The very popular Cold-Weather Package adds high-pressure headlamp washers and heated front seats.

It's a milestone year for Saab, so they've put together a 60th Anniversary Package for special commemoration on the 2.0T and some other models (the Aero trim receives many of the package�s amenities as standard, so it is not available as such). The package starts with an additional available paint finish, Ice Blue Metallic. Other features in this package are its specially embossed leather seats with grey panels, black and grey floor mats, 17-inch alloy wheels, a power passenger seat, rear spoiler, fog lamps in front, and dark walnut interior accents. If you purchase the 60th Anniversary Package you may then also add the Premium Audio Package to get a 9-speaker Bose system with 6-CD changer.

When it comes to fun on the asphalt, the 9-3 Convertible Aero is without a doubt Saab's top offering.

The lead player in the high-dollar trim's more impressive package is a turbochraged 2.8-liter V6. The 250-horsepower catalyst features variable valve timing and puts out 250 horses; it comes mated to a 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive or an available 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. Fuel economy in the city is a rather SUV-like 17 miles per gallon, while highway travel is rated at 28 mpg (but, oh - what a blast it is to drive with the top down).

Additional Aero upgrades include 17-inch alloy wheels, xenon headlights, a stiffer and sportier suspension, and larger brakes. Improvements to the interior start with body-hugging sport seats and atmosphere-improvers like prettier accents like chrome instrument surrounds, aluminum steering wheel accents, and real walnut trim.

Both driver and front passenger get power-adjustable seats on the Aero, and everyone gets to enjoy the power moonroof and upgraded 9-speaker Bose audio system with XM Satellite Radio. On the outside you'll notice front and rear fog lamps, a bright-finished dual exhaust, a rear spoiler, and body-colored door handles, rocker panels and lower bumper.

If you buy or lease any Aero-trim Saab, you are given the unique opportunity to attend the Aero Academy, a hands-on class in performance driving techniques. Attendees pay for their transportation to and lodging in Atlanta and then spend two days practicing various driving maneuvers on a safe course. It's the ultimate experience for learning how to appreciate and get the most out of the performance these cars are capable of.

Like every Saab, Convertible Aero has all of the safety assurances a body could ask for, such as a full array of airbags, Active Head Restraints, ABS with electronic brake-force distribution, traction and stability control. The IIHS has awarded the 9-3 its Top Safety Pick Award in the mid-sized sedan category for the third consecutive year.

The bad news is that the Saab 9-3 has failed to garner a great reputation for mechanical reliability, and a few reviewers have made note of a bit of turbo lag. At the same time, though, they acknowledge the Aero's improved handling, stability, and cornering, due to its stiffer sport suspension. Owners of this car are in love with its feel and especially its look - and you can bet that love grows even more on a warm, sunny afternoon.