Saab 9-3, 2008: The Weekly Driver

Beginning its second half-century, Saab remains an attractive niche choice for car buyers seeking alternatives to popular Germany and Japanese offerings. With the 2008 9-3, the Swedish manufacturer deserves to further improve its positioning in the entry level luxury market.

My recent test vehicle was the standard, 2.0T (turbocharged) edition. There's also a new all-wheel drive option and the limited edition Turbo X with larger wheels, lower suspension, a rear spoiler and more horsepower. (Only 600 will be available in the United States.)

The 2.0 version is the most mainstream car Saab offers. But that's not saying the 9-3 is interchangeable or even similar to any other entry level luxury sedan. And that's all good.

On the contrary, the Saab 9-3, (updated but not redesigned for 2008), laregely remains uniquely Scandinavian.

Like all Saabs, the ignition remains on the floor between the two front seats. Additionally, when the hand brake is disengaged, it's flush with the center console, a typical simple Scandinavian design. The Saab also has a retractable cupholder on the dashboard. Unlike some, less-than-efficient manufacturers' similar contraptions, the Saab version is sturdy and functional and slides in and out with one slight push.

With what Edmunds.com describes as a "tasteful retouch," the new Saab is among the most attractive entry level luxury cars around. With a complete redesign still a couple of years away, Saab upgraded its '08s with a new grille, a more curved hood and revised body-side moldings. It's sleek and handsome.

With its new look, Saab presents itself like it's perfectly comfortable as a suburban family sedan or while blasting along open roads, let's say the Autobahn.

Like all Saabs, the 9-3 provides a secure, quiet ride. It maneuvers well and powers down the road with confidence, although not with breakneck acceleration. It feels secure, which is exactly what car owners in Sweden need, particularly during inclement weather days.

Standard on the 2.0T model: a four-cylinder, 210-horsepower engine with a six-speed manual transmission, 16-inch alloy wheels, leather upholstery, wood-grain interior trim, an eight-way power driver seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and a seven-speaker CD stereo with satellite radio and an auxiliary audio jack. Sedans and SportCombi wagons have a split-folding rear seat. My test vehicle had the optional five-speed automatic transmission with sport and manual shifting modes.

Saab has a great safety reputation, and the 9-3 leads the way. Antilock disc brakes, stability control and OnStar telematics are all standard. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration rates the Saab 9-3 sedan (and wagon) at four out of five stars for frontal-impact protection, five stars for front-occupant safety and four stars for the rear. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded the 9-3 "Top Safety Pick" honors based on its "Good" ratings (the highest possible) in the agency's frontal-offset crash, side-impact crash and head-restraint effectiveness tests.

Returning entry level luxury car buyers might be hard-pressed to ditch their favorites, BMW to Acura. But for someone buying in the category for the first time or even a stalwart who's finally in need of a change, the 9-3 deserves consideration.

Safety Features - Driver and front passenger front, side and side-curtain airbags;

Warranty - Bumper-to-bumper, 4 years/50,000 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/100,000 miles;

Fuel Mileage Estimates - 19 mpg (city), 26 mpg (highway);

Base Price - $27,640.00.