Used Saab 9-5 2010 - 2011 review

What's the used Saab 9-5 like?

This second-generation Saab 9-5 was launched at a time when the company was in its death throes. Recently divorced from General Motors and desperately short of cash, it needed the 9-5 to sell in big numbers, but the car failed to tempt many people out of their Audis, BMWs and Mercedes.

Under the skin, the 9-5 owed a lot to the Vauxhall Insignia. While Saab engineers made changes to the suspension in an effort to give the 9-5 a unique character, the result is a ride that’s pattery and unsettled at all speeds.

Overview

Saab’s last gasp wasn’t enough to save the company. The 9-5 looks the part, but is a long way off the pace in most key areas.

Pros

• Attractive exterior styling
• Proven mechanicals
• Loads of legroom

Cons

• Unsettled ride
• Too much wind and engine noise
• Not many to choose from

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Saab 9-5

2.0 TiD Vector SE Auto Euro 5 4dr

£4,999

Saab 9-5

2.0T Aero Auto Euro 5 4dr

£9,500

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Don’t think that the comfort sacrifice means you get agile handling, either. The 9-5 leans over dramatically in corners and swiftly runs out of grip. On top of this, the steering is inconsistently weighted and constantly vibrates in your hands.

You also have to put up with a lot of wind and road noise on the motorway, and things aren’t much better at lower speeds, where the diesel engines sound coarse.

More positively, there’s masses of leg room in both the front and the back, but the sloping roofline means rear head room is surprisingly tight for those over six feet tall.

There are some typically Saab touches, such as a digital speedometer that mimics a fighter jet’s heads-up display and the fact that the ignition key slot is between the front seats. Unfortunately, the interior plastics don’t feel sufficiently premium, and the dashboard is overloaded with fiddly buttons.

Ownership cost

What used Saab 9-5 will I get for my budget?

It’s probably a reflection of both the car’s rarity and the keenness of Saab enthusiasts that prices for the 9-5 are relatively buoyant.

Even the cheapest version will cost you around £7000. Meanwhile, a well-equipped 2010 2.0-litre TiD diesel with an automatic gearbox could be as much as £9000. A 2011 2.0-litre TTiD diesel with four-wheel drive and lots of options will set you back more than £12,000.

Our recommendations

Which used Saab 9-5 should I buy?

The model range was pretty simple, primarily because it never had time to expand. The basic model used Vauxhall’s 1.6-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 177bhp, but it’s a bit strained in a car this big and heavy.

Better by far is the 158bhp 2.0-litre diesel option, although the rarer 187bhp TTiD diesel (available with optional four-wheel drive) and the 216bhp 2.0-litre petrol turbo have their charms.

There was also a 2.8-litre V6 turbo version, but that’s so rare that it’s not really worth considering.

Realistically, with so few 9-5s ever built or sold, it’s going to be a case of finding the best one you can, rather than setting your heart on a specific model or version. Aero models were the best equipped, although sat-nav was still an option.

Our favourite used Saab 9-5: 2.0 TiD 160 Aero

Alternatives

What alternatives should I consider to a used Saab 9-5?

The Saab 9-5 was designed to compete with the BMW 5 Series, but while its roomy interior helped in that regard, the 5 Series is still streets ahead in terms of its interior finish and the way it drives, not to mention the sheer choice that there is in second-hand models available.

The Audi A6 is, in reality, a closer match for the 9-5. It has a similar design-led character – and similarly stodgy handling. However, its interior is a lot classier than the 9-5’s and the A6 is both quieter and more comfortable. As a bonus, Audi’s 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine is more or less bomb-proof.

As a Swedish rival, the Volvo S80 should also be on the shopping list of anyone considering a 9-5. It too struggles to match the handling and perceived quality of the best executive saloons, but it has comfort on its side, and was available with a broad choice of engines: everything from a 1.6-litre diesel to turbocharged five-cylinder petrol units.

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