2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X Milwaukee WI

November 3, 2009   By Royal Ford, Contributor



2008 Saab 9-3
DriverSide Overview
Those in colder climates have long appreciated Saabs for their multitude of safety features and their front-wheel drive when battling through inclement conditions. To bolster its cold weather reputation, the manufacturer is now offering all-wheel drive on its 2008 9-3 Turbo X , a potential saving grace for a company that should have gone there before now, especially since the competition in the field continues to get tougher. Add the fact that this cutting-edge safety system is enveloped in a black four-door sedan that looks killer and has kick-out aggressive driving potential, and you’ve got yourself a car that will laugh in the face of Nor'easters.








What's to Like
The interiors of both the sedan and wagon are commodious, with rear seat fold-down options in each to provide three-dimensional expansion. Controls are intuitive and easy to grab and use. The seats are very firm but still comfortable for even the longest of drives. Its exterior looks are distinctly Saab, but design elements add a very non-Swedish assertiveness.

What's not to like
We hate to be an echo in the choir of automotive criticism, but even with its prodigious torque, it is hard to parse why Saab did not stretch for 300 horsepower – as both Volvo and Subaru have done with their hot rods. There is great grunt to its early-rising, late-to-bed torque band, but the snap of horsepower, particularly in lower gears, is lacking.

The Drive:
DriverSide Driving Impressions
This car provides nothing but satisfaction in most areas. It is smooth, subtly fast and whisper-quiet as its nose pushes through the air. There is some understeer, common to all-wheel drive cars, but that is easily corrected with just a slight wheel adjustment or use of the throttle to steer out of bad situations. Four wheels gripping, braking, or swapping power, beat two any day, especially when you are dancing with almost 300 horsepower and abundant torque. The electronic limited slip differential, a second coupling in the system, distributes torque as needed – and fixes driver mistakes. There is virtually no body roll unless pushed harder than it should be pushed on a public road, and acceleration and rapid braking do not induce front-to-rear see-sawing as can be common.

Engine and Drivetrain
The singular powerplant for the Turbo X pumps the power, at 280 horsepower and a whopping 295 lb-ft of torque, through a 2.8-liter V-6 water-cooled, high-output turbo with virtually no turbo-lag. Transmission options include six speeds in both manual and automatic form. The direct control of the manual is a definite winner in this contest and will be particularly useful in performance conditions.

Interesting Vehicle Features and Options
Spoilers at the rear of both the sedan and the wagon are functional, reducing the chance of the rear lifting at high speeds – and...

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