2009 Saab 9-5 Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Write a reviewHaving seen no significant redesign since its introduction in 1999, the long-hoped-for revamp of the aging Saab 9-5 sedan will likely not arrive until the 2010 model. The 2009 9-5 gets three new exterior colors and revised power switches. The sportier Aero trim rides on new 17-inch, 5-spoke alloy wheels and boasts a metallic black interior.
The front-wheel-drive sedan comes in two trims - the 2.3T and the sport-tuned Aero. Both carry a 2.3-liter turbocharged inline four, with 260 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque at a pleasingly low 1,900 RPM. The 2009 Saab 9-5 does not lack for acceleration power, though the expected turbo lag does exist to some degree. The standard 5-speed Sentronic automatic features three modes: normal, manual, and sport. A 5-speed manual is optional.
The 2009 9-5 exhibits precise handling and responsive braking for superior confidence behind the wheel. It comes standard with ABS brakes, traction and stability control, OnStar, and dual front-side airbags. Side curtain airbags are noticeably absent in this day and age, however. Even so, the sedan earns four and five stars in crash tests.
All trims feature up-to-date technology, with power front seats, a sunroof, heated and cooled seats, leather upholstery, Bluetooth, and a 6-CD changer with satellite radio. Unique to Saab is its ignition switch location in the center console, which takes some getting used to for newbies. The revised power switches located in the same console can also be confusing at first. Options add a DVD-based navigation system, though this moves the CD changer to the trunk. The Aero carries all the same equipment. Its distinguishing features are its sport-tuned suspension, sport wheels, bolstered sport seats, and two-tone leather upholstery.
The 2009 Saab 9-5 comfortably seats four (three in the back seat will feel tight), with generous front legroom and overall good headroom for tall adults. Test drivers mention that seats feel a bit soft and lack support, and the use of plastic downgrades an otherwise upscale sedan. Rear seats split-fold and feature a trunk pass-through/armrest. A wide opening and flat floor ease loading of the 16-cubic-foot trunk.
With decent handling and quick acceleration, the 2009 Saab 9-5 remains a reliable sedan, though poor fuel economy (17/27 mpg), turbo noise, and outdated styling probably won't attract a new customer base. The long-rumored overhaul looks imminent for the 2010 model, so buyers may want to wait a year to get a new Epsilon-2 platform, possible AWD option, and more powerful V6 engines.
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2009 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: 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: 9 · 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 pass-thru · Dash trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mats: front · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Center console: front console with armrest · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: trunk release · 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: 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
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: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: power
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 · 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: 9 · 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 pass-thru · 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: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry · One-touch windows: 2 · Parking sensors: rear · Power outlet(s): 12V · Reading lights: rear · Steering wheel: tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · 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
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: Xenon
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector
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
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: 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: 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: 9 · 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 pass-thru · 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: cargo tie-down anchors and hooks · 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
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: self-leveling
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: auto-dimming
Passenger Seat
Power adjustments: 8
Rear Seats
Type: bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector
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): front
Telematics
Navigation system: DVD navigation system · Satellite communications: OnStar
Tires
Type: all season
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing