2006 Saab 9-2X Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Saab's smallest car is a retrimmed Subaru Impreza wagon brought to the Swedish brand through its parent company, General Motors. The 9-2X is a 4-dr all-wheel-drive wagon with a horizontally opposed 4-cyl engine. The 2.5i model has 173 hp, the turbocharged Aero model has 230 hp. Both offer a 5-speed manual transmission or optional 4-speed automatic. Standard are ABS, front side airbags that cover head and torso, and Saab's active front-seat headrests designed to minimize whiplash injury. Leather upholstery and a sunroof are options.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Compact Cars are similar in size but more expensive than Compact Cars. Premium Compacts have more standard equipment and an upscale image when compared to Compact Cars.

Our Best Buys in the Premium Compact Car class are Acura TSX, Audi A4, and BMW 3-Series. At this time we have no Recommended picks.

New or significantly redesigned models in this class include Audi A3 and Lexus IS.

News

We'd be very surprised if the 9-2X returns for '07. Saab's press information doesn't mention it, and GM has all but cut ties with Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries. But as Saab still needs an entrant in the low-$20,000 market, the 9-2X could be replaced by a recast version of some other GM product, though it's unclear just what that might be. Stay tuned.

2006 Saab 9-2X Road Test

Pros	Cons

All-wheel drive	Rear-seat room

Brake performance	Rear-seat entry/exit

Control layout

Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
4	4	6.2

With similar weight, identical horsepower, 9-2X mimics comparable Impreza models. 2.5i with automatic transmission adequate for routine work, livelier with manual. No opportunity yet to test Aero.

Fuel Economy

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.4

No opportunity to measure. Aeros require premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
5	5	5.9

Saab suspension tuning softens ride slightly compared to Impreza. Still, ride always firm and suspension readily transmits small, sharp bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
7	7	7.2

Crisp, rewarding, with added grip, security of standard AWD. Saab retunes Subaru steering for slightly more positive feel. Fine stopping power, and--in contrast to comparable Imprezas tested--firm, easily modulated brake-pedal feel.

Quietness

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
5	5	6.1

Sound-deadening added by Saab pays off in generally subdued noise from engines, tires, wind compared to Impreza.

Controls

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
7	7	7

Simple, user-friendly gauges, control layout carries over from Impreza, with Saab upgrades to cabin fabrics elevating overall ambience, especially with leather upholstery.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
5	5	6.5

Good head clearance, but very tall occupants will want more rearward seat travel. Seats comfortable, supportive. Steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, as in some premium-compact rivals. Lack of power seat adjustments another competitive deficit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
3	3	3.6

Sufficient head room for those up to about 5-ft-11, but leg room tight if front seats even halfway back. Entry/exit hampered by fairly deep step-down, narrow thresholds, doors that should open wider.

Cargo Room

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
8	8	4.7

Wagon body style, 60/40 split folding rear seats make for versatile little hauler, though cabin storage space stingy.

Value within Class

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
3	3	6.1

Saab's changes to exterior styling, sound deadening, and interior trim do their part to disguise this car's Subaru Impreza origins. And the versatile wagon body style and all-season AWD traction have some appeal. But there's no hiding the tepid base engine or modest interior space. Still, 9-2X, like Saab in general, lies off the beaten path, which should mean deeper price breaks than with more mainstream competition.

Total Score

2.5i, man.	2.5i w/Leather Pkg., auto.	Class Average
52	52	58.7

Scores for all Premium Compact Cars

Low Score		52
Average Score		58
High Score		65

2006 Saab 9-2X Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 11/30/2005

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2.5i 4-door wagon	$22,990	$21,841	$720

Aero 4-door wagon	$26,950	$25,603	$720

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

2.5i

Powertrain

2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, all-wheel drive.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front-seat active head restraints, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cruise control, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, map lights, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, cargo cover, rear defogger, rear wiper/washer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, 205/55VR16 tires, alloy wheels.

Aero adds to 2.5i:

Powertrain

2.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Automatic climate control, interior air filter, leather-wrapped steering wheel, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, sport suspension.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Sport Pkg.
Aero	$1,450	$1,334
Xenon headlights, 215/45VR17 tires.

Cold Weather Pkg.
2.5i, Aero	$600	$552
Heated front seats and mirrors, wiper deicer.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
2.5i, Aero	$1,250	$1,238


Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
2.5i, Aero	$1,200	$1,104


Leather upholstery
2.5i, Aero	$1,095	$1,007
Includes leather-wrapped steering wheel. 2.5i requires Cold Weather Pkg. Aero requires Cold Weather Pkg. or Sport Pkg.

2006 Saab 9-2X Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Saab 9-2X 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	99.4

Overall Length, in.	175.6

Overall Width, in.	66.7

Overall Height, in.	57.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	3070

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	61.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	15.9

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	39.7

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.9

Rear Head Room, in.	37.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	33.7

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	sohc H4	Turbocharged dohc H4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.5 /150	2.5 /150

Horsepower @ rpm.	173 @ 6000	230 @ 5600

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	166 @ 4400	235 @ 3600

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	22/29	21/27

4-speed automatic	22/27	20/25

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Saab 9-2X 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/Unlimited	7/unlimited on 9-3 sport sedan and convertible.

Free roadside assistance	4/50,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	3/36,000	2/24,000 on 9-2x.

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

< 2006 Saab 9-2X Photos

Also in the 2006 Saab 9-2X Review:

Saab 9-2X

Saab 9-2X Road Test

Saab 9-2X Prices & Equipment

Saab 9-2X Specs & Safety

Saab 9-2X Photos

Saab 9-2X Full Review

All Saab 9-2Xs

All Saabs