2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi

While European sport sedans are a common sight on American roads, not so another continental favorite, the sport wagon. To many buyers the idea of adding heart pumping performance to a wagon seems like mixing oil and water. Except, that is, to Saab owners. This decidedly different Swedish brand has a strong history of appealing sport wagons. The latest being the all new 9-3 and 9-5 SportCombi. A duet that can make even grocery getting fun!

Saab has long been known for making their sporty automobiles amazingly practical, with lots of room for people and their belongings.
That’s certainly true for the all-new 2006 9-3 SportCombi. The first 5-door sport wagon for the 9-3 lineup, it brings crossover-style versatility to Saab’s mainstream front-wheel drive platform.

Built on the same 105.3-inch wheelbase chassis as the 9-3 sedan, the new SportCombi is clad in the sleek, aircraft-inspired lines that have long been a Saab tradition.

It’s muscular and modern, sharing the 9-3 sedan’s most aggressive bodywork, and on our top-line Aero test car, standard 17-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels.

The Aero backs up its potent styling with a new turbocharged version of GM’s 2.8-liter dual-cam V6. Output is 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, thanks to a water-cooled high-pressure turbocharger, and continuously-variable-valve-timing,
The base model 2.0 T sports a more familiar Saab 2.0-liter turbo-4 with a still healthy 210 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque.
Transmissions are 5-speed manual and auto for the base car, or the Aero’s 6-speed gearboxes, of which we chose the optional automatic.
And despite a noticeable delay in the automatic’s manual shift mode, our car hit 60 in only 6.9 seconds. That’s a good half second faster than a comparable Audi A4 Avant.

Now Saab did exhibit some turbo lag off idle, but there is only a hint of front-wheel drive torque steer. Traction and stability control are standard. From there, the V6 spins up into a fat midrange, and powerful top end. It’s incredibly smooth as well, almost like an electric motor.

The 9-3 SportCombi matches its powerful drivetrain, with a tight, responsive, MacPherson strut front and 4-link rear suspension. There’s just a touch of front plow at turn-in, but otherwise just spot-on chassis balance and steering.

Braking runs averaged 129 feet from 60. Stability was very good. The pedal got very soft after a few tries, but with no effect on stopping distances.  In daily driving ride quality is as fine as handling, but with a bit too more tire noise than we like.

The SportCombi’s amazingly roomy interior also earns high marks, displaying much improved fit and finish, with thin seams matching its aircraft cockpit lines. And in Aero trim, a host of high end standard features.  Plus safety must-haves like front side impact airbags and two-row head curtain airbags.

Front seats have excellent support, plus standard leather and power adjustments up front, and optional heat.  Automatic climate control and CD-stereo are standard, with a big screen satellite navigation system available.

The rear bench is very roomy for a compact-class wagon, with better-than-average support and a split folding seatback. Behind the lightweight aluminum hatch is quite healthy cargo space, 14.8 cubic-feet with the seat up, and 45 cubic-feet with the seat down.
EPA fuel mileage ratings for the Aero V6 automatic are 17 city/28 highways. 

Saab 9-3 SportCombi prices start at $27,620 for the base 2.0 T model, and $33,620 for our upscale Aero. More than competitive with other compact European sport wagons that mostly offer less.

For a larger measure of size and prestige, you can opt for the 9-3’s big brother, the revamped 2006 9-5 SportCombi.  Riding on a 106.4-inch wheelbase, the mid-size 9-5 boasts fresher styling all around.

It also packs more front-wheel drive punch under its new lines; thanks to a 2.3-liter twin-cam turbocharged-four with 260 horsepower, and increase of 10, and 258 pound-feet of torque. Gearing is a 5-speed manual or automatic with steering wheel manual mode controls.
And for its size excellent fuel economy ratings of 18 City and 28 Highway with an automatic and on regular grade gas!

Also getting a tune-up is the 9-5’s suspension. New calibrations improve handling while the available Sport package tightens it up further. Standard wheels are 17-inch alloys.

Inside, the 9-5 SportCombi starts with a serious blacked-out look, or the Sport Package’s flashier metallic trim.  The again aircraft inspired panel has the same shape but nicely larger controls for climate and audio. The standard CD system also includes MP3 capability and XM satellite radio.

What hasn’t change a bit is the generous rear seat space. And excellent cargo room; an SUV-like 73 cubic feet maximum, enough for just about anything a family of five needs. And at $35,820 to start, the Saab 9-5 SportCombi is priced closer to smaller rivals.

So whether you opt for the compact 9-3 or mid-size 9-5, both Saab SportCombi models provide a near perfect balance of performance and practicality. And whether it’s to the ski slopes of the grocery store, you’re guaranteed carloads of driving fun.