[Tribute] we find a rare Saab 9-5 wagon

Saab was way ahead of its time and the proof of this is in the sudden rise and appeal of turbocharged engine technology, while everyone else was using non-turbo designs with large engine displacements. Saab used smaller four-cylinder engine which offered similar horsepower and torque to the larger six-cylinders and some eight-cylinder engines. It saddens us that Saab no longer produces vehicles and well this is another tribute to Saab. We managed to find a 2003 Saab 9-5 Linear Wagon and well we couldn’t resist driving it.

The Saab 9-5 wagon has always been a particular favorite of mine. I love way it’s styled inside and out. It’s a bit of an oddball but in a good way. The styling is still fresh even after all these years. Our tester car had a few scrapes here and there but for what is essentially a thirteen year old vehicle it surely doesn’t feel worn out or out of shape.

The engine that’s equipped in our 9-5 is a 2.3-liter light-pressure turbocharged four-cylinder which pumps out 185hp. There were two other engines available, a more potent 2.3-liter turbo pumping out 220hp and the top of the range high-output turbo four with 250hp. We’ve only driven this engine which was called Linear and the mid-range Arc trim. We loved how classy the Arc trim felt with the burled wood interior and fancier leather seats. The Linear trim which we have here has a lighter wood trim and well the leather seats are still fantastic. The ignition switch is in the center console which is a signature Saab design and the overall feel of the cabin is pretty much straight forward.

The engine is the sweet spot for the 9-5 wagon because it has a turbocharged design. It has oodles of torque at low revs which helps make it very smooth to drive around town and on the highway. Surprisingly this engine feels enough, you’d expect us to complain about how 185hp for such a large vehicle isn’t enough but it really does feel enough. It’s such a comfortable car to drive that you’d immediately forget about horsepower figures and you’re more focused on the driving experience at hand. The dashboard sort of wraps around you and everything is within reach of the hand. We even got a few glances from other drivers, because well let’s face the facts here. The 9-5 is so handsome looking and wagons are such a rare sight on the road that you can’t help but stare.

Highway ride comfort is excellent and dare we say better than most BMWs we’ve driven. Handling isn’t a strong point for the 9-5 but it does hold its own well. Steering feedback isn’t the greatest but it does the job good enough. We’ve tried hard to find fault in the 9-5 but it’s pretty hard to especially with such a rare gem like this. Visibility is actually good too thanks to large windows, which helps make the cabin feel airy and the optional sunroof our tester car had equipped makes things even better. What’s also rare is that most 9-5s we’ve driven had halogen headlights, and this one came equipped with factory installed xenon headlamps which both worked properly. Also in Saab tradition is the headlamps and tail lamps stay on the whole time you drive, whether it’s day time or night time. The headlamps also feature a follow-me-home feature which keeps the headlights on for 60-seconds after the engine has been shut off.

Rear seat space is roomy for three and the boot space is very generous. Fold the rear seats down and you’ve practically got yourself a cargo van. If you run out of space in this you need a Chevy Suburban. During our test we were able to fit a few weeks of shopping in the boot and still carry four aboard with no trouble.

Saab is very generous when it comes to standard kit. Along with xenon headlamps, our 9-5 came with climate control, auto-dimming mirrors, and power-folding mirrors as well as heated front seats. We wish that this also came fitted with Saab’s amazing perforated leather seats. The Arc and Aero are worth paying extra for because they trade the plain exterior looks for body-kit and flashier alloy wheels as well as added features.

Comparing the 9-5 wagon to today’s competition, the 9-5 wouldn’t be class leading but it would offer a very compelling package for those who aren’t swayed easily by everything less in the segment. We really do wish that Saab was still producing cars today because their different perspective on vehicles is a breath of fresh air.

2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, 185hp.
5-speed automatic gearbox

Devon test drives a CLA (Used)

Audi and Mercedes both are offering four-door sedans for buyers who can't afford the more expensive A4 and C-class offerings. The CLA is the stylish of the two and offers that Mercedes quality at a lower asking price. But does this mean that you get what you pay for with a cheap Mercedes?

Performance: The CLA only offers two engine choices. It's a no brainer here as to which engine is the pick of the range. The CLA250 which is the cheaper of the two offers a turbocharged four-cylinder producing 208hp. Top of the range CLA45 AMG offers the same turbocharged four-cylinder producing 355hp. Most buyers will pick the CLA250 because it's cheaper to buy and makes the most sense financially.

On the road: The CLA suspension is set up towards comfort which is fine if you desire a smooth ride. The car still shimmies around over rough surfaces. The sports suspension sharpens handling but the ride comfort is much firmer and produces a choppy ride over rough surfaces. The AMG is great fun but is much harder to live with. There is little wind noise at highway speeds, there is a lot of road noise on patchy road surfaces. Both engines are smooth in operation but the AMG has a contagious exhaust that makes it hard to drive casually.

Behind the wheel: The driving position is good for drivers of all sizes. With plenty of adjustments for both driver's seat and steering wheel. This is sadly where the positives end. Just like all other Mercedes, you have to operate many functions by scrolling through menus with a single control dial in the center console. The lay out isn't very user friendly and is just too distracting to fully operate while on the go. The swooping roofline means that rear visibility is poor. There's plenty of room in front for two with so-so rear passenger space. You'll have to becareful not to bash your head when getting in the back of the CLA. The boot is fairly large but its shallow and makes loading bulky items tricky.

Equipment: The CLA250 comes with decent kit for the money. Although you'll have to pay extra for Bi-xenon headlamps and a sport package which makes the CLA look sportier. Attention Assist is standard as well as 17-inch alloy wheels, start/stop system and Bluetooth hands-free interface. Top of the range AMG offers unique AMG trim, all-wheel-drive system and Bi-Xenon headlamps.

Buying & owning: The CLA looks pricey compared to the A3 sedan. Many of the features you'll most likely want pushes the price higher. At least the running costs will be decent if you stick with the front-wheel-drive variant. Resale value should be strong too thanks to good looks and the legendary Mercedes badge.

Quality: Interior quality and materials used feel upscale but don't feel as classy as the A3. Plus there are some areas that feel cost cutting. What worries us even more is the fact that Mercedes continues to score low in reliability surveys even though they have improved dramatically over the years. It's still not as good as Audi and BMW.

Safety: 10 airbags come standard as well as Attention Assist which monitors drowsy drivers. Optional is Bi-xenon headlamps on the CLA250 as well as blind spot warning detection. Deadlocks and an imobiliser come standard to keep theft at bay.

The CLA is a great entry level luxury sedan for those who really want the Mercedes badge but can't afford the more expensive C-class. Even though it is a great car all round, it still makes us wonder is it really worth considering? There are many indirect rivals that offer more kit for similar money and there's the Audi A3 which offers a few extra bits standard for the same price tag. Unless love the looks and can over look the short comings of the CLA this is the car for you. Otherwise we suggest looking at the A3 and top of the range indirect rivals.

Likes: Stylish inside out. Smooth turbo engine. AMG is a total hoot to drive. Mercedes at a low price what's not to like?

Dislikes: You'll pay an arm and leg to get the features you'll most likely want. AMG version is expensive. Reliability is still iffy and there's too many better indirect rivals.

Devon's Choice: The CLA250 is a no brainer here. If you want a cheap Mercedes this is the version to go for. However, you'll have to pay extra for features that you'd most likely want. They don't come cheap either!

Devon Test Drives a Volkwagen Tiguan (used)

The Volkswagen Tiguan is a classy alternate to the likes of the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester. It's a stylish CUV with the same engine as the GTI. While priced on the steep side, and rivals offer a few tricks at a lower price. Can Volkswagen justify the Tiguan or is it a case of too small too expensive?

Performance: The only engine available from the Tiguan is a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine which pumps out 197hp. It offers plenty of punch and large amounts of passing power on the highway. A more powerful engine would be desired with the all-wheel-drive models. The heavier weight means acceleration and fuel economy suffers.

Ride and Handling: The Tiguan is the most fun to drive crossover in its class. The sports suspension in our tester car has a firm ride. It can be a bit jittery over some surfaces. The trade-off is well controlled body roll, and responsive handling with lots of grip.

Refinement: The interior is quiet, something you'd expect from a Volkswagen. At highway speeds the engine is barely heard. There's little road noise, but some wind noise can be heard when picking up speed. You'll barely hear a peep out of the suspension.

Behind the wheel: The Tiguan feels very similar to the Golf. All the controls and dials are in easy reach from the driver's seat. The steering wheel adjusts for reach and height. Anyone can get comfortable behind the wheel. The dashboard layout is neat and logical, but feels a bit dull in the more basic trim.

Space & Practicality: The rear seats fold with ease, as well as slide forwards and backwards for more legroom or more cargo space. You won't be able to have both. The rear seats are roomy for four people, adding a fifth person is pushing it.

Equipment: Every Tiguan comes well equipped, depending upon how much money you're willing to dish out. Top trim levels come with rain sensing windshield wipers, Xenon Headlamps and climate control. All-wheel-drive is offered on all but the base trim level, but it comes at a hefty asking price.

Buying and owning: The base Tiguan is priced aggressively with its rivals. However, the Tiguan loses points for the high asking price of its all-wheel-drive. Fuel economy is average and running costs are low. If you stay away from the options lists, you can get a nicely equipped Tiguan well worth the money. All the extra features just make the Tiguan seem overpriced. You're investments will be secured, as Volkwagen have high resale value.

Quality & Reliability: Volkswagen is known for quality and Germanic build quality. The Tiguan's interior won't win any prizes, but the materials used look and feel long lasting. Most mechanicals have been tried and tested, so there should be no fear of major problems. However, owners have rated the car's reliability as average in JD Power Survey.

Safety & Security: ESP, emergency brake assist and six airbags are standard. The high seating position and all-wheel-drive will be seen as a safety advantage. Although some maybe put off by its high asking price. Deadlocks and an alarm are fitted to guard against theft.

Likes: Logical interior design, smooth turbo engine and transmission, a sophisticated option among small crossover vehicles, more fun to drive than its rivals.

Dislikes: Plain Jane looks, interior on basic models look cheap, price can skyrocket with options, more horsepower please! Trims with sports suspension suffer from a firm ride.

Overall: The Tiguan offers better on-road dynamics and has a turbo engine that makes it more fun to drive than rivals. If you're in the market for something a little upscale in terms of looks and feel. The Volkswagen wont' disappoint. However, there are rivals that offer the same tricks for far less money and should be considered before buying a Tiguan.

Devon M 

(Used) Devon test drives the redesigned Beetle

The Volkswagen Beetle has always been regarded as a chick car. With a large portion of its buyers being female. Now Volkswagen has decided to change up the Beetle formula. Giving it a more masculine design and a dose of sport to help shape up its new image, but has it worked? Let's find out.

Performance: There's two engines available with the Beetle. A familiar 2.5-liter five-cylinder with 170hp and a 2-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 200hp. Pick of the bunch is the turbo engine. It's the most fun to drive form of the Beetle. There's plenty of punch and fuel economy isn't that much different than the 2.5. 

Ride & Handling: The Beetle features two different rear supsension setups. The turbo forms offer a multi-link arrangement from the GTI. In this form, body sway is well controlled and there's plenty of sideways grip. The lower trims have a more basic rear suspension set up which doesn't feel as sporty as the turbo forms. Both suspensions however offer a firm ride at low speeds and steering is quite slow to react. 

Refinement: The Beetle is generally refined, although the frameless doors generate quite a bit of wind noise. The turbo engine also generates quite a bit of induction roar. The DSG gearbox is generally smooth, but it can be jerky at low speeds. 

Behind the wheel: The Beetle's dashboard has been inspired by the original. This means its taller than in most modern cars and has a squared off front. You can go even further with the retro vibe and have the dashboard painted the same color as the car. All of the switches and controls are clearly laid out and easy to operate. 

Space & Practicality: The Beetle only has four seats. There's plenty of room in the front for people of all shapes and sizes. The back seats however are cramped. The boot is a decent size, almost as much room as you'd find in a Golf. The sloped bootlid makes it difficult to carry tall items. 

Equipment: The Beetle comes with an array of trim levels to choose from. The base trim offers cd-player, air-con, Bluetooth and electronic stability control. Turbo form offers a rear spoiler, 18 inch alloy wheels and sport cloth seats. Top of the range offers an upgraded sound system, navigation system, leather seating surfaces and a sunroof. 

Buying & Owning: The base trim of the Beetle cost a few thousand more than a two-door Golf. So its not really all that cheap to buy and discounts will be hard to comeby as the Beetle was just redesigned. Resale value is too soon rate. Fuel economy is decent which means running costs shouldn't be too bad. 

Quality and Reliability: The Beetle's interior trim feels a bit cheap in some areas. You'll find softer feeling plastics in a Golf, for example the plastics on the center console and around the front center armrest are hard and scratchy. At least most of the switches and controls feel weighty. Underneath, the Beetle shares most of its parts with the Golf, so reliability should be good. 

Safety & Security: The Beetle comes with side-curtian airbags, electronic stability control and anti-lock brakes. Not to mention the reputation of Volkswagen safety. On the security front, you get an alarm, deadlocks and a visible VIN with plenty of marked parts. 

The redesigned Beetle pushes all the right buttons. The new design is much more sporty, with a more retro interior to match that of the original. However the Beetle once again chooses style over practicality. You can buy a two-door Golf for less money if you want the extra space for rear passengers and boot space. But you'll be missing the point of the Beetle. It's a retro-throw back to the original, offers a nicer interior and is more engaging to drive than the pervious form. If you desire a car that stands out and don't mind the compromised practicality, this car is well worth the look.

Devon's Pick: The Turbo form makes the most sense. It's the most exciting to drive all while being not too much more expensive than the 2.5. Running costs are decent and equipment is also decent. 

Devon M 

(Used) Devon test drives a Chevy Cruze

The Cavalier never really stacked up to its Japanese rivals. Neither could the Cobalt, but all this is going to change with the Cruze. Chevy's newest answer to the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic. It's bigger, roomier and has a more classy interior. But is this enough to lure American buyers back to Chevy?

Performance: The Cruze comes with two four-cylinder engines. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder with 138hp and a 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 138hp. Picking between the two clearly depends upon taste. If you desire more oomph on the highway, the turbo version makes the most sense. The 1.8 offers good fuel economy too and is the only version offered with a manual gearbox, unless you choose the Eco trim that has the turbo engine.

Ride & Handling: The Cruze doesn't offer sharp handling like some of its keen rivals. The ride has a jiggly quality, some bumps and potholes can easily upset the ride comfort. Handling is a mere acceptable, there isn't much body roll in corners. However, it doesn't feel as sporty as the Volkswagen Jetta. The steering is quick and light, but has very little feedback. Feeling almost numb at times.
Refinement: The engines don't offer much in terms of power. Both provide good pace around town, the turbo version feels more punchy thanks to the extra torque at low revs. At higher speeds the engine sends a loud sound track into the interior. Wind noise is well supressed, but some surfaces can kick up a bit too much road roar than desired.

Behind the wheel: There's adjustment for reach and height for the driver seat and steering wheel. Many drivers will find it easy to get comfortable. Some may not find the front seats comfortable. They're strangely shaped and are short on lower back support. All the controls are within easy reach of the driver's hand. Everything feels easy to use and operate. Rear visibility isn't great, but it isn't bad for a small sedan.

Space & Practicality: The rear seat offers plenty of space for two. The large center tunnel and narrow cabin means trying to carry three in the back is best avoided. The boot is fairly large, but the trunk uses an old fashioned hinges that eat into cargo space. The split folding rear seats increase cargo space.

Equipment: The Cruze comes with air-conditioning, cd-player with MP3 compatibility and tire pressure monitors all standard. You'll have to step up to the higher trim levels to get alloy-wheels, cruise control and heated front seats. Top of the range offers climate control, rear reverse camera and keyless start.

Buying & Owning: The Cruze doesn't seem much of a value compared to its rivals. But you do get plenty of kit for the money. Fuel economy is decent, and resale value should be average. Some may be put off by its bland styling.

Quality & Reliability: The interior looks and feels like a major leap forward for Chevy. The dash materials are hard to the touch, but look smart and are well textured. However, there are signs of cost cutting in some areas of the interior. Reliability for the Cruze is too soon to say.

Safety & Security: ESP, ABS and six airbags are all standard. An engine imobiliser and deadlocks are fitted on every model to keep theft at bay.

Likes: Roomy interior, a major improvement over the Cobalt, interior feels up to par with Japanese rivals, available turbocharged engine, decent fuel economy.

Dislikes: Two engines with the same output doesn't make much sense, the front seats lack support, some trim levels don't seem like much of a value for the money, exterior looks are on the dull side.

Overall: The Cruze is a major leap forward for Chevy. The interior feels high much improved, and there's plenty of kit for the money. If Chevy offers a more powerful engine, the value for the money factor will be well justified in the top of the range trim.