2007 Saab 9-7X Reviews, Pricing & Specs

The 2007 Saab 9-7X is a five-passenger, premium mid-sized SUV. It's a definite offspring of its Swedish and General Motors roots, with undeniable truck-based qualities tempered by European tuning and style. The 9-7X's main competitor is the Volvo XC90, which has a few edges over the Saab product. The biggest of these discrepancies is passenger capacity: the Ford-owned Volvo offers a third-row seat, meaning that seven can ride in the XC90 vs. the 9-7X's five. As for cargo, the capacity starts at 39.8 cubic feet with the second-row seat and it maxes out at to 80.1 cubic feet when that seat is split and folded down. Based on the Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, the Saab SUV can feel like a truck on bumpy roads. But there's a wonderful dose of Swedish charm in the 9-7X, most noticeable in its handling and lower ride-stance, plus its warm and inviting interior, which features abundant leather and pleasant wood-look accents. There are two trim levels, based on the engine. The 4.2i is powered by a 4.2-liter inline V6, and the 5.3i comes with a 5.3-liter V8 with Displacement on Demand technology that deactivates half of the cylinders when their power is not called for. This feature improves the V8's fuel efficiency to the point where it's equal to the V6's 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway. The impressive list of standard equipment does not overlook much, if anything. As a 9-7X buyer you can look forward to a power moonroof, leather upholstery with front-seat heaters, an audio system with a 6-CD changer and 6 Bose speakers, plus XM satellite radio, and rear-seat auxiliary controls. Additional comfort and convenience features consist of tinted glass, 8-way power driver's seat with lumbar support, 2 memory settings for driver's seat plus pedals and side mirrors, cruise control, and remote keyless entry. On the outside you'll get roof rails, fog lamps, all-season tires on 18-inch spoked aluminum wheels, power heated mirrors with turn-signal lights, trailer hitch receiver, and a large exhaust pipe with chrome tip. Automatic all-wheel drive, ABS, and GM's StabiliTrak stability control are all standard and are there to help you hold the road. Interior safety measures include a full slate of airbags, including side-curtain units with rollover sensors, plus the LATCH system for wee passengers. Your safety and security are enhanced with another group of features. There's the Driver Information Center (it shows ambient temperature, mpg, oil-change status, miles remaining in tank, destination distance, ETA, and weather advisory information, e.g. the possiblity of ice forming), daytime running lights, the PASS-Key theft-deterrent system, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. There's even a toolkit stowed under the rear seat, and you get a full-sized spare. Each 9-7X comes with a trailer hitch receiver, welded to the structure, with wiring harness connector. Towing capacity on a properly-equipped 4.2i is 5,500 pounds; the maximum increases to 6,500 pounds on the 5.3i. When you pull a trailer or just have a lot of cargo inside, you'll appreciate the load-leveling suspension; its air springs are electronically monitored constantly to keep the ride and stability uniform regardless of the extra weight. New things for 2007 include an OnStar upgrade - it now features Turn-by-Turn navigation - and a new color, Crystal Blue Metallic. There is also a special edition this year, the Altitude Edition, which comes in Carbon Gray Metallic and adds some premium options, namely chrome-accented step rails.