[Look back] review of Saab 9-3X

Likes: Comfortable front seats, stylish inside out, roomy and well insulated interior, strong turbo engines, decent fuel economy, very well equipped.

Dislikes: Expensive, needs a more powerful engine to cope with added weight, buying one seems rather risky.

Truck based 4x4s are being replaced by car-based 4x4s and crossovers. The Saab 9-3X is basically a 9-3 sports combi with a raised driving height. It's stylish, and offers more all-round versatility with a splash of off-road capability. But will this be enough to pull buyers from the much cheaper Subaru Outback?

Performance: There's only one engine available for the 9-3X, its the same engine used in the 9-3 range. A 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 210hp. It offers decent pace and is very flexible. Fuel economy is decent too, but a more powerful engine is desired to cope with the extra weight.

Ride & Handling: The ride comfort is good considering the higher driving position. Only the worst of potholes upsets the ride. The 9-3X feels more refined on the motorway than the standard 9-3. It's not a great handler, and the steering is rather numb. There's little confidence and will discourage drivers to push on through bends.

Refinement: The 9-3X is generally a quiet car, you can hear noise from the turbo engine. However, the noise is far from invasive. Saab has done an excellent job of insulating the cabin from road noise, although you can feel the suspension crash on the hardest of bumps, you'll never hear it. There's barely any wind noise either. The gearchanges are smooth, and the switchgear feel durable.

Behind the wheel: The 9-3X shares the same interior decor as the standard 9-3. The dashboard has a simple logical design, with many controls within easy reach of the driver's seat. Night Panel keeps eye strain to a minimal in night driving, and the front seats are the most comfortable in its class.

Space & Practicality: There's plenty of room in the front, and plenty of adjustments to get comfortable. Rear passengers have plenty of room, but shoulder room is tight for three passengers. The transmission tunnel intrudes into space too. The boot isn't as large as an Outback, but there's plenty of space to spare. The seats fold 60/40 for extra space.

Equipment: The 9-3X comes well equipped for the money. You get climate control, steering mounted audio controls, rain sensors and alloy wheels. All-wheel-drive is standard, as well as roof rails and a raised driving height.

Buying & Owning: The 9-3X isn't cheap to buy. Prices are higher than that of the Outback. But the 9-3X has more style and substance than the Outback. It's distinctly designed, and offers plenty of kit for the money. Resale vaule isn't its strongest point, and buying a 9-3X right now seems rather risky. With Saab being in the turmoil of problems its in right now. The fate of the company is still unknown.

Quality & Reliability: The cabin feels well put together. There's an attractive dashboard, but durability is a question. The standard 9-3 doesn't enjoy the best reliability record, and the 9-3X shares much of its mechanicals with the standard 9-3.

Safety & Security: Saab is known for safety and security. Top notch anti-theft alarm, engine immobiliser and deadlocks are all standard. ESP, side curtain airbags and ISOFIX child seat mountings all come standard as well.

The 9-3X isn't the cheapest alternate to the Outback, but you do get a nicely appointed interior and many luxury features standard. The all-wheel-drive doesn't have a low-range, so off-road abilities are limited. Fuel economy is decent, and the turbo engine provides flexible driving performance. For the price, there are rivals that offer the same for less cash. However, the Saab has a charm that no other rival can offer. Distinctly designed and comfortable long journey vehicle.

[Look back] Saab 9-5 sedan review

Likes: Swedish style inside out, roomy well laid out interior, you'll stand out from the crowd, smooth turbo engines.

Dislikes: May induce sticker shock, some wind and road noise on the motorway, head restraints pushed a bit too far forward.

Saab has been in dire times. With a transition of ownership and many financial problems almost leading to the company's death. But somehow the brand manages to stay alive. The 9-5 is one of the newest Saabs to show the future of the brand, and the direction of the company's styling. Jumping right into the competition with the BMW 5-series and Audi A6. Will Saab be able to keep up?

Performance: There are two engines available for the Saab 9-5. A 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 220hp, and a 2.8-liter turbocharged six-cylinder with 300hp. Pick of the bunch is the 2-liter turbo engine. It's the most engaging to drive, offers decent fuel economy and makes the most sense financially. The six-cylinder offers good pace, but comes at a price that's a little too expensive for some tastes.

Ride & Handling: The 9-5 handles and drives well. The base suspension feels rather softly sprung, so there's a bit of bodyroll. The sport suspension handles well, but the ride comfort is overly firm. The steering doesn't offer as much feel as you'd expect, but its far from disappointing. There's a three-mode electronic suspension system as an option.

Refinement: Wind and road noise is well supressed in town. On the highway, there's a bit of wind and road noise that enters the cabin. This is far from intrusive, and you'll enjoy the 9-5 on long distance driving. Especially on curves with the sports suspension.

Behind the wheel: Saab's interior is designed around the driver. The controls are within easy reach of the finger. Some controls are poorly marked, and are blocked by the gearlever on automatic models. The seats are comfortable, but the head restraints are pushed to far forward. This leaves your neck in a uncomfortable angle.

Space & Practicality: The longer wheelbase means more rear seat comfort than the pervious generation. The cabin is truly enormous, entry into through the rear passenger door is rather low. You'll have to stoop your head down to avoid banging it on the door frame. Rear passenger space is excellent, the the boot is massive. The rear seats fold down to increase space.

Equipment: The base 9-5 comes well equipped. Night panel, electric driver's seat, rain sensors and auto-dimming interior mirror is standard. The six-cylinders offer all-wheel-drive, and the top of the range offers a bodykit with Xenon headlamps and leather sport seats.

Buying & Owning: With Saab's near death in 2010, buying a new Saab seems rather risky. Resale value isn't as strong as its rivals, and finding one won't be easy as Saab isn't currently building any vehicles. But when production restarts, you'll find that Saab's long list of standard equipment is well worth the asking price.

Quality & Reliability: The 9-5 feels well put together. Many materials used feel classy, although some plastics feel hard to the touch. Everything feels quirky like all Saabs should feel. Reliability of the 9-5 has always been higher than the 9-3. So we expect reliability to be about average on the 9-5.

Safety & Security: If there's two things you'll never have to worry about with a Saab, that's safety and security. Side curtain airbags, stability control and anti-whiplash head restraints comes standard across the range. Security provisions include top-notch alarm and immobiliser.

Most people who buy Saab are those who want to stand out against German Rivals. It's distinctly styled, and priced well below that of BMW and Audi. You maybe a little disappointed with this irration of the 9-5. It's not as sporty as the previous form, and the sports suspension has a firm ride. But the 9-5 continues to provide that smile on owners faces that no other brand can provide.

Acura TSX Wagon (Look-back review)

The Acura TSX sport wagon is designed and aimed at at those tempted to buy a BMW 3-series touring and Cadillac CTS wagon. It's a better option compared to most crossovers, but is it enough to convince people to consider? 

Performance: There is only one engine available for the TSX sport wagon and that's a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 201hp which is the same engine used in Civic SI. It may not offer the same blistering performance as the SI but it does offer decent pace around the town and on the highway. It's a shame that there is only a five-speed auto gearbox offered. A six-speed automatic or manual gearbox would help performance and fuel economy even more.

On the road: The Acura TSX feels comfortable and smooth on the highway. Venture into the city on uneven road surfaces, you'll be greeted with a firm and unsettled ride. Handling is great but is a let down due to the numb steering which ruins the sporty nature of the engine. You won't hear too much wind or road noise thanks to a pretty insulated cabin. The engine feels smooth even when revved hard.

Behind the wheel: The front seats provide comfortable support with good visibility. The dashboard layout isn't very easy to navigate. There are too many similar shaped switches and controls. This makes it impossible to tell apart at a glance. The TSX doesn't have a large boot compared due to the low slung roof and intruding rear suspension. With the seats folded down there's bundles of space to spare.

Equipment: The TSX sport wagon comes with plenty of kit standard. Automatic climate control, Bluetooth and HID headlights are standard. You'll have to step up to the top of the range trim to get navigation system, power tailgate and perforated leather seats.

Buying & owning: The Acura TSX wagon is cheaper to buy than a 3-series Touring and Cadillac CTS wagon. Running costs are also lower thanks to the fuel-efficient engine. Finding one should be a lot easier than both the Cadillac CTS wagon and BMW 3-series touring. If you are considering one you need to act now as the TSX wagon may not be available for long.

Quality & Safety: Acura and Honda share most of their mechanicals. This means that the Acura TSX wagon also has a spectacular reliability record. Interior quality is very good and feels long lasting. Customers have rated the TSX below average for interior quality. This is a let down because it's keenrivals offer much better and classier interiors. Electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes and six-airbags come standard across the range. A lane-change warning system and cruise control that brakes in emergancies are optional. Deadlocks and an alarm system keep theft away.

The TSX wagon offers a fuel efficient engine and tons of equipment standard. It may be cheaper than the BMW 3-series touring and Cadillac CTS wagon, but it doesn't offer a more powerful engine option and/or all-wheel-drive option like the CTS and 3-series. You'll need to act fast if considering one because the TSX wagon may not be in production for long in the U.S. 

Devon's Pick: The base trim of the TSX Sport Wagon is all the TSX you'll ever need. There's enough kit to justify not having to climb into the top of the range which adds a technology package. Unless you desire the navigation system and power tail gate. I highly suggest sticking with the base trim which is pretty much great value for money. 

Likes: Decent peformance with impressive fuel economy. High standard equipment level at a reasonable price.

Dislikes: No turbo or V6 engine option. All-wheel-drive isn't offered either. Acura may discontinue it after 2013.