2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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As the wagon version of the Saab 9-5, the SportCombi provides significantly more cargo space and interior passenger comfort. A much-anticipated redesign has been postponed until 2010, so the 2009 9-5 SportCombi receives only minor appearance changes. These include three new exterior colors for all trims and an interior metallic black for the Aero. The Aero also gets five-spoke, 17-inch alloy wheels. Power switches on all trims have been revised.
The 2009 9-5 SportCombi provides added versatility and functionality with its extra cargo space. Seating four in two rows, the rear seats split-fold flat for up to 73 cubic feet of storage room. With the seats up, it still holds an expansive 37 cubic feet inside, and roof rails add more storage space. The wagon profile raises the roof line, providing an inch and a half of extra headroom.
Available in front-wheel drive only, the 2009 9-5 SportCombi comes in the base 2.3T and sportier Aero trims. The Aero boasts all the same features as the 2.3T, but offers a firmer sport-tuned suspension, sport seats, and two-tone upgraded leather upholstery. Both use an adequate 260-hp, 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four, matched to either a 5-speed manual or 5-speed Sentronic automatic. The electronic automatic transmission offers three driver-selectable modes: normal, manual, and sport. As with many turbo engines, you'll have to deal with moderate turbo lag. Reviewers prefer the automatic, but mention that it can be noisy and slow when downshifting, while the slushy manual requires long throws.
Overall, precise handling and quick braking are hallmarks of the 2009 9-5 SportCombi, and the wagon earns four and five stars in NHTSA crash tests. It scores lowest on rollover and side rear impact tests, the latter most likely due to the lack of side curtain airbags, even as an option. Otherwise, the SportCombi comes well equipped with traction control, an electronic stability program, ABS brakes, dual front-side airbags, and OnStar.
Moving the power switches from the driver's left side to the center console improves ease of access. The cockpit-like front seat (recalling Saab's aircraft heritage) is distinctive enough, but the use of plastics disappoints some critics. All trims offer a long list of standard features, including power front seats, tilt and telescopic steering, automatic climate control, leather upholstery, real walnut accents, and heated and cooled seats. Bluetooth is now standard, and the Harmon Kardon sound system features a 6-CD player with satellite radio. The optional DVD-based navigation system comes with only one CD slot, so the changer gets relegated to the trunk.
The 2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi continues to perform well, with confident handling and responsive acceleration, while its interior cargo space makes it functional for weekend trips or family errands. However, it's long overdue for a major overhaul to remedy its bland styling and update its features to make it more competitive with other midsize wagons. For those considering the SportCombi, it may be wise to wait for the expected 2010 next generation, which will include more powerful V6 engines and larger dimensions.
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2009 Saab 9-5 SportCombi 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: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 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 with cupholders · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: heated
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt · Roof rails: black
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
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-trimmed
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 · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent
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: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 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 with cupholders · Dash trim: alloy · Door trim: alloy · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · 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 · Reading lights: front · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: under front seats · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Active head restraints: front and rear · Child seat anchors: LATCH system
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
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): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · 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 · Side airbags: front with head protection chambers
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Auxiliary audio input: jack · Single disc in-Dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · Premium Brand: Harman-Kardon · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 8 · 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 with cupholders · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: side mirrors · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: cruise controls · Storage: under front seats · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 8
Engine
Alternator: 140 amps · Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color · Door handle color: body-color · Exhaust tip color: polished aluminum · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Warnings and reminders: low fuel level
Lights
Headlights: Auto off
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector · Roof rails: silver
Safety
Active head restraints: front and rear · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Parking sensors: rear
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: perforated
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): rear
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: intermittent