1996 Saab 9000 Review

Innovative, ultrasafe Saab tries to attract new buyers by inviting them in its advertising to ``Find your own road.''

Actually, Saab is the last automaker to need such a statement because most Saab buyers always have been individualists. With items such as floor-mounted ignition switches, Saabs long have been for those who want something a little different.

Actually, Saabs once were a lot different in styling and design. But they have become fairly mainstream in recent years; the Saab convertible even is considered quite chic in wealthy circles.

One of the most mainstream hardtop Saabs is the $31,395-$41,195 Saab 9000 four-door. This front-wheel-drive sedan can be had in mild or hot form, with either turbocharged four-cylinder engines or a V-6--and with manual or automatic transmissions. Saab is a small outfit, but nobody can accuse it of not offering plenty of choices.

The $31,395 9000 CS model I recently tested shows Saab's engineering acumen, which is considerable. Saab is synonymous with state-of-the-art turbocharging, and the CS model has Saab's unique 2.3-liter, 170-horsepower Light Pressure Turbo four-cylinder engine. It provides smoothness and strong, seamless resonse at virtually all engine speeds--without the common, disconcerting turbocharger ``kick.''

The Light Pressure Turbo engine, which has 16 valves and dual overhead camshafts, responds much like a larger, non-turbo motor because it develops turbo boost at lower engine pressure and maintains that boost longer than usual.

Acceleration of the fairly quick 9000 CS is best with the standard five-speed manual transmission. It helps the car deliver an estimated 20 m.p.g. in the city and 29 on highways, although the shifter sometimes gets balky when rushed. A $1,045 four-speed automatic is available, but it's not refined and drops economy to 17 city and 26 highway.

The 9000 is fairly large and has a hatchback design. Other automakers dropped larger hatchback models years ago, but Saab feels a rear hatch makes it easier to load and unload cargo. In fact, Saab has dropped last year's 9000 CDE model, which had a conventional trunk lid.

The 9000 has gobs of room. Although its exterior dimensions are mid-size, its interior space places it in the large car category. You can stretch out in the back seat as if you were in a limousine.

The high-lifting tailgate provides access to a generous 23.5 cubic feet of cargo space. If you need extra cargo room, owners can lower the rear seat in its entirety, making available an awesome 56.4 cubic feet of cargo area. It looks like you could put a portable swimming pool back there with the seat lowered.

Tall, wide doors make it easy to get in and out, and even the rear seats of the 9000 are comfortable--although the place to be is in the left front seat; it provides a high, chair-like driving position that gives one an in-command feel and provides easy access to major controls.

Too bad the small radio controls are difficult to work safely while driving. Windows are large, but rear roof pillars restrict a driver's view. And one wonders why the aerodynamic body generates so much wind noise at highway speeds.

The CS has a comfortable, supple ride. Handling is good, although the car seems a bit ``soft.'' The power rack-and-pinion steering should be sharper in the on-center position, but braking is quick and sure. Anti-lock brakes are standard, as are dual air bags, daytime running lights and 5-m.p.h. self-restoring bumpers.

The CS even has headlight washers and wipers--along with a bunch of other standard items. They include power windows and locks, automatic climate control, heated front seats, cruise control, AM/FM/cassette with eight speakers and dual heated power mirrors.

Sporty new three-spoke alloy wheels liven the appearance of the 9000 CS. But it still looks terribly conservative. After all, Saab's bottom line always has been practicality.