2006 Saab 9-3: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Saab's best-selling car gains a wagon variant and a turbocharged V6 for 2006. The 9-3 offers a 4-dr sedan, 2-dr convertible, and the new SportCombi 4-dr wagon. All come as the 2.0T with a 210-hp 4-cyl and as the Aero with a 250-hp V6. Both engines are turbocharged and come with manual or automatic transmission. All 9-3s have ABS and traction/antiskid control. Aeros have a sport suspension and larger wheels. Sedans and SportCombis have front side airbags and curtain side airbags. They seat five and have split folding rear seatbacks. The convertible seats four and has front side airbags designed to protect torso and head. It has a power fabric top, heated glass rear window, and a rollover bar designed to pop up in an impending tip. Leather upholstery is standard. Sedans and wagons offer a sunroof. A navigation system is optional on all. Saab is owned by General Motors, and the 9-3 shares its basic architecture with the Chevrolet Malibu and Pontiac G6.

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.