Swedish Supercar (Saab 9-5 SE 2.0t 150 bhp)

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Product:	Saab 9-5 SE 2.0t 150 bhp
Date:	04/12/00 (204 review reads)
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Advantages: It's a Saab

Disadvantages: It's still a Saab

The Saab 9-5 bears more than a passing resemblance to the car it replaces, the four-door 9000 CD and you'll have to look hard to spot the difference.


The new car is based on a stretched Vauxhall Vectra chassis, but it's bigger than the 9000 CD and the five-door 9000 CS which remains on sale until an 9-5 estate arrives later in 1998. Despite its GM underpinnings, from the outside the 9-5 looks every inch a Saab.


We started off with the three-litre auto V6. The 197bhp engine is turbocharged, but you'd hardly notice as the power delivery is so smooth. Unlike Saab's old four-cylinder turbos, there's no rush of power.


Go for the four-cylinder engine and you can have a manual or auto. Both are light-pressure turbo engines and again they're docile. The base two-litre produces 147bhp, and feels surprisingly quick. Strangely, the 168bhp 2.3-litre version doesn't feel much faster.


We drove over rutted, frost-damaged roads where you'd previously be forced to ease off - not in the 9-5, though. It might not have Jaguar-like ride comfort but it made a better job than the 9000.


The 9-5 is not dull, nor is it wildly exciting. Push on a bit and it runs wide; over a twisty road, the Saab is no match for a BMW or Audi. But the 9-5 feels right in the German cars' league when it comes to build and refinement. The unique, roomy, comfortable cabin also feels special. With those qualities, decent equipment and a low price, many will be tempted.

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