For many enthusiasts, the Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi represents one of the last “true” Saabs. An incredibly versatile car, that combines the power and speed of a sports car with the practicality and safety of a family wagon.
Despite its sad end, Saab has a rich history of great and legendary cars. One of them is the Saab 9-5, which was produced from 1997 to 2010 (first generation), with the second generation only available until 2012, when the company went bankrupt.
The 9-5 offered several engine options, with the most powerful found in the high-performance Aero variants. Introduced in 2000, the Aero featured a 2.3T B235R engine producing 227 horsepower. In 2002, this increased to 247 horsepower, and from 2006 onwards, the Aero boasted an impressive 256 horsepower. Beyond the more powerful engine, Aero models also featured a stiffer, sport-tuned suspension, along with enhancements to both the interior and exterior.
Did you know?
- In 2000, Saab organized a special event near the Angel Fire ski resort in New Mexico, at an altitude of approximately 2,600 meters (8,600 feet), to promote the new 9-5 Aero SportCombi. The Saab competed against notable rivals: the Volvo V70R and the BMW 540iT. Despite having a less powerful engine — Volvo with around 250 HP and BMW with 282 HP — the SportCombi reportedly outperformed its competitors in acceleration tests to 100 km/h (60 mph) and 210 km/h (130 mph). This demonstrated the efficiency of Saab’s turbocharged 2.3-liter engine, particularly at high altitudes where thinner air can impact performance due to a lack of oxygen.
- A distinctive feature of Saab cars is the placement of the ignition switch between the front seats, next to the gear shifter. This design enhances ergonomics, potentially deters theft, and improves safety during accidents, as the traditional position of the key can lead to knee injuries. This feature has its roots in Saab’s aviation heritage, where such placement was considered more intuitive for pilots.
- Like many other Saab models, the 9-5 also features a Night Panel function. This system turns off all dashboard instruments except the speedometer, helping the driver rest their eyes during night driving by reducing distractions from bright lights. The instruments aren’t simply dimmed — they’re fully turned off, and their needles drop to zero. Even the speedometer is only partially lit, up to 140 km/h (90 mph). The rest of the scale only lights up as the car approaches that speed.
- The glove box in the 9-5 features an additional air vent that helps keep its contents cool and refreshed. Perfect for chilling important documents like your registration and insurance — ice cold and ready to enjoy. Saab’s actual idea was to let drivers store chocolate in there, so it wouldn’t melt on warmer days. While similar features are now found in high-end luxury cars, Saab offered it over 20 years ago.
- In Sweden, the 9-5 Aero SportCombi was also the police’s choice, a testament to its performance and reliability.
Unfortunately, the Saab 9-5 Aero SportCombi was one of the last models produced by this unique and innovative brand before its bankruptcy. Financial struggles began in the 1980s and 1990s, when General Motors acquired a partial stake in Saab, eventually purchasing the entire company in 2000. The partnership proved problematic, as GM wanted Saab to build cars on shared platforms with other GM brands — a strategy that clashed with Saab engineers, who insisted on designing cars with as many of their own parts as possible. While this approach improved vehicle quality, it also raised production costs. The 2008 financial crisis worsened the situation, and after years of losses, GM opted to sell its least profitable brands—Hummer, Saturn, Pontiac, and of course, Saab. Despite being acquired by the Dutch sports car maker Spyker, Saab was beyond saving and its automotive story came to a close with the company’s bankruptcy in 2012.
