2008 Saab 9-5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Following Saab's jet airplane analogy, which the automaker frequently uses to describe the design of its cars, we'll refer to the 2008 Saab 9-5 as in a holding pattern. Since its introduction for the 1999 model year, the 9-5 has retained the same basic exterior and interior design, although it did receive a minor design refresh in 2006. And with a full redesign scheduled for 2009 (or perhaps even 2010), the '08 version of the 9-5 changes little from the previous year.
Fortunately, the 2008 9-5, while not cutting edge, doesn't seem too dated. Available in a single trim, the 2.3T, the 9-5 features aerodynamic headlights, a three-port front grille, and clean, simple lines. A 260-horsepower, 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine drives the 9-5, though some critics note that the engine's exhaust note fails to inspire. Still, the engine moves the sedan along quickly enough, with decent fuel economy. The engine links to either a five-speed manual shifter or an optional five-speed Sentronic automatic transmission.
Despite the lack of a fresh design, the 9-5 comes nicely equipped with such features as a power moonroof, leather-appointed seats that are heated in the front, a six-disc in-dash CD player, dual-zone automatic climate control, XM satellite radio, and OnStar.
Two other features might make the 9-5 an attractive purchase for car shoppers. A 100,000-mile warranty inspires confidence in the vehicle's quality, while no-charge scheduled maintenance for the first three years or 36,000 miles certainly adds a nice bonus.
The 9-5 also excels in safety features, with active head restraints, a full range of air bags, and traction and stability control. In addition, the 9-5 has done very well in government crash testing in past years.
User reviews for 2008 Saab 9-5
Write a review2008 Saab 9-5 Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 200 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Dash trim: simulated wood · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Headrests
Fixed rear headrests: 1 · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather · Ventilated: front
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: element · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · 2 subwoofers · Total Number of Speakers: 11 · 200 watts
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Front brake diameter: 12.1 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 11.3 · Rear brakes: disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center folding with storage and pass-thru · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with storage · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: driver seat · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Reading lights: rear · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Headrests
Fixed rear headrests: 1 · Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Video system: auxiliary audio/video input
Instrumentation
Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated driver mirror
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: one-touch open/close
Safety
Active head restraints: driver
Seatbelts
Rear center seatbelt: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: sport bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Upholstery: premium leather · Ventilated: front
Spare Tire
Mount Location: inside · Size: temporary
Spare Wheel
Rim Type: steel
Suspension
Front Arm Type: lower control arms · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: MacPherson struts · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: independent · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing
