I just returned the 2007 9-5 that I had for 2 weeks. While it was a time of sadness, I also had one of those “the vacation is over and I can get back to real life” feelings. Sitting in my 1999 9-5 (with 236,000 kms) felt good. I was home again with a really good experience under my belt.

There were a number of things different about the 2 cars (aside from the mileage). The 07 was a SportCombi with the Aero and visibility packages and auto transmission (spec comparison to follow).

It took no time at all to settle into the 07. Other than the very firm feel to the seats, the interior was very much like the one in my car. Of all of the changes, it was the seats that took the longest to get used to … mine have worn very well, but were not sport seats and have seen quite a few miles. While getting used to the seats took a little bit of time, realizing just how good they were took no time. The side bolstering and range of movement will allow just about everyone to find a position that will be as comfortable as they could possibly want. This car was also equipped with the memory function and 3 buttons. More importantly though, was the fact that the memory was also tied to the side mirrors! Nice touch Saab.

The interior layout is functionally identical to the original model. There is not a single feature that has been left out. In fact, it is quite the opposite. There are a number of new features and what carried over from the 1999 have been simplified and made more intuitive.

The Night Panel button has been moved due to the fact that the SID has been incorporated into the instrument cluster. Once you have spent time behind the wheel, you realize that the placement of the button is actually better than before … it is easier to reach and closer to the steering wheel. This iteration of the Nigh Panel function leaves the entire speedometer lit as opposed to the graduated lighting (0-140 km/h on the previous models).

On the steering wheel are all the controls you could want. You never have to take your hands off the wheel … volume, pre-set station control, and source controls are all at your finger tips. Cruise control, signal and high beams, and washer control are all behind the wheel in their regular spots.

Moving over to the centre console, you will find it looks a little different, but provides everything you expect to find, all in a simpler, easier to use layout. For those Canadians (or Swedes) that drive with gloves on, you will be pleasantly surprised to find dials and buttons that are easy to use. The feel of the dials (new to Saab for 2007) is great … easy to turn with a notchy feel that provides a little feedback and lets you know that you have actually done something. Dual climate control with auto function is standard. I was a little disappointed to find that when the system was on auto that you lost the graphical information to tell you where the air was going and what speed the fan was at (I’m used to that in my 9-5) … however, once I used the system, it calmed my concern by simply working … and work very well it did. Having spent time driving through 2 different snow storms, I can safely say that the climate control system is easily up to the task. I have actually started using the auto setting in my car again, something I had reserved for A/C seasons only. Below those controls are 2 cubby holes … something my car is lacking.
The audio system sits above the climate control in its regular spot. While I could spend a fair amount of time on the virtues of the quality, I will try to keep it short. This car had the “base” audio system. AM/FM/XM, 6 CD in-dash changer, and front mounted AUX-in plus 8 speakers including a rear mounted sub woofer. The quality and quantity of sound should appease all but the ultra high end audiophiles. It is clean and clear and blows the doors off the stock system in my car. The AUX-in works flawlessly and since it uses a standard 1/8” plug, you can plug in any MP3 player through their headphone jack. The only feature I missed was the volume reset when you turn the car off. It is quite possible that this exists, but I wasn’t going to open the package with the manuals to find out how.

The visibility package includes several things; auto dimming rear view mirrors (yes, mirrors – more on that in a minute), back up parking assist, and rain sensing wipers. The wipers work … plain and simple. The more moisture on the windshield, the faster they go. Flip the wiper stalk to the intermittent setting and the car takes over. You set the interval and if there is little to no water, that is where it stays. Once it senses something, the system will alter the frequency and speed accordingly. The parking assist is just that … as you back up, the car will let you know if you are getting to close to something by emitting a beep … the closer you are, the faster the beep. Now, one of my favourite features on the car … the auto dimming rear facing mirrors. Quite simply put, they are amazing. It is not just the inside rear view mirror, but also the outside door mirrors at work. It is one of those things that you need to experience to fully appreciate. With the mirror set to auto, there is no difference during day light. When it starts to get dark out, the system will automatically adjust the light allowed through depending on the vehicles around you … when no one is around, the system does not dim the mirrors at all, allowing you to see normally. Since I drive on a lot of country roads and use the Night Panel and flip my mirror when there are people behind me, I found this to be a must have feature in any new Saab. While on the subject of lights … the Xenon lighting system in the newer 9-5s is fantastic. Right from the beginning the 9-5s have had great headlights … and the improvements in lighting technology do not disappoint.

I have heard a lot of comments (good and bad) about the interior materials. I found everything to be quite satisfactory. When the brushed aluminium came out a couple of years ago, I didn’t really care for it. However, the treatment that Saab has used is quite easy on the eyes and blends in very well. The door materials are tasteful and not cheap and are easy to clean up (important in a climate such as ours). The doors still have that “thunk” when you close them and seal you into a very quite and comfortable cabin. The leather on the seats is quite nice and should hold up just as well as mine 1999. The seat heaters work very well. There are only 2 settings now, but that is quite sufficient. The rear seat heaters never failed to amaze my passengers and I am glad that Saab has continued to make that a standard feature, something many cars costing a lot more do not offer at all. The material on the dashboard is something I wish Saab had done a long time ago. It has a nice matt finish to it that absorbs rather than reflects light. This cuts down on the glare on the windshield improving visibility in all conditions.

All this talk about the car and nothing on how it drives … well, I was simply saving the best for last.
The engine is based on the 2.3L that was redesigned for the first 9-5. While my car has a low pressure turbo and only puts out 170 hp, the version offered today in all 9-5s blows away the last Aero upgrade option in 2005. At 260 hp, it is the most powerful gasoline engine ever offered by Saab.
The engine mated with the 5 speed automatic transmission is great for driving in just about any situation. Throw it into gear and go. Passing on the highway is a breeze … put your right foot down and either or both the turbo and transmission respond almost instantly. If you are looking for an even more aggressive response, touch the button on top of the shifter and put the tranny into “Sport” mode. It will shift less often and later and give more of an instant acceleration feel. For those situations when you are looking for more control, shift to “M” and take over the shifting by using the thumb shifting paddles on the steering wheel. This is a great alternative to the manual transmission. Like everything else, this is a feature that works. While it is left up to you to shift up (as it should be in manual mode), the car will down shift for you if you either get lazy or simply forget. The issue I had with this feature is that in regular day to day driving, this is neither practical nor does it enhance the driving experience (over the auto setting). I found that with the noise level in the car and the power band of the engine, you actually find yourself watching the tachometer to determine your shift points. I’m sure with time and use this feature would become as second nature as a manual transmission does … I just didn’t spend enough time using it. With my car (it is a 5 speed manual), not only do you get a fair amount of additional engine/exhaust noise, but you can feel the difference in power available as the engine revs. With the 2007, the car is so quiet and the power doesn’t seem to peak nearly as much, you can’t really get down to the business of driving in the manual mode. I have no doubt that if you were to take this car to one of our driving schools, that you would get a lot of use out of the manual mode. I’m also quite certain that the involvement that goes along with a fully manual car would provide a very different feel than the manual mode on the automatic transmission does. One last thing on the engine/transmission combination … this car allows for available passing power at any time. I found myself getting around slower traffic more than once that I would never have been able to pass in my car.
With all of this power available, the handling has to be up to par and there is no disappointment there either. This car is glued to the road … in all weather conditions. Let’s cover the dry first. You point the car where you want it to go and it goes. There is very little body roll and not once did I ever push the car anywhere close to its traction limits. And for a car of its size and weight, it feels very “toss able”. In the wet and snow, this car lives up to the fact that it was designed and built in Sweden. Even with the standard “all-season” tires on it, the car gripped well. Driving across the 401 in the midst of a blizzard with very high cross winds caused no concern. The car tracked true, even through the snow between the lanes. At no time did I ever feel that the car was at all loose on the road. As a matter of fact, the steering is one of the big improvements over my car … it is very tight and direct and turn in is immediate!

The overall ride quality, while stiffer than my car, was just as good. The Aero set up and 17” tires didn’t like a few of the back roads I frequent, but then neither does my 9-5 with 16” rubber. On those roads the 2007 was a little noisier, but as the 2 weeks went by, I found it much less noticeable. The road noise was about the same as my car, but bumps and such were a little more muted.

What about the exterior changes? Well, I have to say that the new look has grown on me. I really wasn’t a fan at first, but let’s be honest; no one really likes change, period. Now, I really think the 9-5 looks fantastic in Aero trim and Laser Red paint … it is on hot combination that really suits the chrome trim (actually, while I think the red looks great on this car, I have now grown to like all of the colours). As for the rest of the changes, they really are more of an evolution than the dramatic changes to the front end. The changes to the rear lights … work. It takes some getting used to only having on back up light, but it is bright enough to work just as well as the 2 on my car.

In closing, if I were in the market for a new car right now, the 2007 9-5 Aero would be on the top of my list without any second thoughts or hesitation.The only thing I would do differently would be to get the Laser Red and a set of good winter tires and wheels.
Could this new model hold up as well as mine has? Without any doubt in my mind. There isn’t anything in this car I would consider inferior to my 1999.

MSRP as tested: just over $49,000
2.3L HO Turbo
260 hp @ 5300 rpm
258 lb-ft @1900-4500 rpm
Warranty:Limited – 4 years, 80,000 kms
Powertrain – 5 years, 160,000 kms

MSRP 1999 9-5 base model with no options: $49,990 according to www.canadiandriver.com
2.3L LP Turbo170 hp @ 5500 rpm
206 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm
Warranty: 4 years, 80,000 kms

by Scott Hutchings, President