I was a bit apprehensive coming to the Saab 9-3 Vector from a BMW 325xi. And, while some might think that my comparison of the Saab to the 325 is unfair, the BMW 3 series (along with the Audi A4) is, according to Saab, the "competition". Let me begin with the strengths of the car.

First, it must be said that the exterior styling of the new 9-3 Vector (the "Aero" for 2004) is striking. The more I look at the car the more I like its design. While not "pretty" in the conventional sense, the lines flow nicely. It preserves that distinctive Saab front end; and it has just enough quirkiness to still say "Yes, I am a Saab and I am different."

Perhaps something should also be said here about safety. The 2003 Saab 9-3 is one of only a handful of cars that have received an overall "five star" rating from the European NCAP. (The 9-3 scored 81% on front collision tests and a perfect 100% for side-impact.) And, as far as passive safety is concerned, there are few cars on the road (at least of this size and weight) that will provide this much protection in the event of a collision.

In terms of performance, there is simply no comparison between this Saab and its predecessors. The body is much more rigid. And, while the distinctive hatch-back is gone, the tightness of the new car is most welcome. It is worth noting too that Saab engineers have managed to work a 53/47 front to rear weight distribution into this front wheeler. This, along with Saab's new "ReAxs" system makes for one of the best handling FWD vehicles on the road today. When the car is pushed to its limits there is (as would be expected) a bit of understeer; however, the car always recovers nicely. The front tires start to slip; but then--lo and behold--the rears (usually) follow, putting it back on course. Overall, the steering is very neutral and well balanced. There is a bit of body roll (I'm referring to the Vector/Aero here.) But it builds gradually and provides a good sense of the car's limits.

Also worthy of comment is the virtual elimination of that notorious Saab "torque steer". Only under very hard acceleration, and then only on rough or bumpy pavement, have I felt the steering wheel tug or pull. However, even then it is quite mild when compared to other powerful fwd vehicles.

What is most impressive, though, (at least for me someone who has been driving a BMW 325) is the power of the Saab turbo. This powerplant is very smooth; and, while there is still a bit of turbo lag, it starts to disappear above 3,000 rpm. Perhaps the most satisfying aspect of this car is the 221 ft/lbs of torque that is reached at around 2,500 rpm and which stays with you all the up to around 4,500 rpm. (The BMW 325 has 175 ft/lb of torque, and the 330i has 214 ft/lbs torque; but, in both cars, this power is not reached until around 3,500 rpm.) In short, the 9-3 Vector's mid-range torque--the kind you need to pass someone on the open highway--is outstanding.

It is true that the Saab doesn't have quite the "road feel" of the BMW 3 series (what car does?); however, it's not bad. And the only significant complaint I have about on-road performance concerns the shift linkage that controls Saab's six-speed gearbox. With poorly defined gates and a general feeling of sloppiness, the 9-3 Vector's linkage is well below the general performance standards of the vehicle. I would note, though, that the linkage on the 5 speed model (as found in the less expensive Linear and Arc model lines) is much tighter and more responsive than the Vector's six-speed. (I think Saab really needs to address this problem if they expect to lure drivers away from the likes of BMW and Audi.)

But what about the interior? Here I must be less kind to the 9-3. Let me begin with the seats.

While visually attractive, the Saab 9-3 Vector's seats provide terrible support. Their side bolsters are almost entirely cosmetic. The bolsters on the bottom seat cushion--while they look substantial--are made of such soft foam that the slightest pressure from the driver's leg collapses them completely. The seat back bolsters are a bit stiffer. However, they are still not very functional. (It is clear that whoever designed these seats was more concerned with aesthetics than performance.) The ultra-soft foam that characterizes the seat bottom's bolsters is also found across the middle of the seat; and my legs usually begin to ache after an hour or so behind the wheel. Fortunately, the seat backs can be stiffened through the mechanical lumbar support, and they do not pose the same problem.

Also irritating are "Saab's Active Head Restraints". These SAHR headrests, while apparently amongst the safest on the market, are enormously uncomfortable; and I still have not adjusted to them. The problem is that they push the head forward, ahead of the more natural line that conventional headrests provide. I would hope that, in future models, Saab either introduces some sort of adjustment mechanism that would allow the user to move the head rest rearward, or offers non-SAHR headrests to those who find them uncomfortable.

The only other major complaint about the interior I have concerns the telescoping/tilting steering wheel. The relatively shallow wheel well in the 9-3 requires that the seat be moved back a fair bit in order to accommodate leg movement when operating the clutch. And I find--even with the steering wheel fully extended--that my arms have difficulty reaching it. Simply adding an additional inch to the telescoping function of the wheel would eliminate this problem entirely.

One piece of good news about the interior is its roominess. There is a nice feeling of spaciousness to the 9-3 (at least when compared to both the BMW 3 series and the Audi A4). And this, along with the excellent front visibility, gives Saab a leg up on its competition. I would also mention that the 300 watt stereo system that comes with the Vector is excellent. The car is loaded with creature comforts: heated seats, park distance control, moonroof, autodimming mirrors, CD changer, cooled glove box, hands-free phone (On-star), etc. All have functioned flawlessly.

Something, though, must be said about the materials that Saab has chosen for the interior. They are somewhat "low rent" and quite inappropriate for a car in this price range. (A nicely equipped 9-3 Vector, it must be remembered, lists for more than $36,000.) The dash looks like somebody's old Samsonite suitcase, and the cheap vinyl that is used on the door panels seems better suited to a $12,000 econo-box. Indeed, I have heard several people say that it was the interior--more than anything else--that turned them away from the Saab 9-3. For me, this hasn't been that much of a concern. However, I think the folks at Saab are kidding themselves, if they think this spartan look is going to appeal to BMW and Audi drivers.

One last comment on the interior: a lot of folks have criticized the "information panel" on top of the dash, and the multi-buttoned radio/climate control unit. However, I find neither to be distracting. And, I would add, the many buttons on the dash are quite logical and absolutely required if one is to maintain full control of the system's various functions.

Conclusion: I really do like this car. However, as stated above, there are aspects of it that are extremely irritating (especially the seats and headrests). Still, the things that bother me might not be a concern to others. The car is quite a performer; and with only a bit more tweaking Saab could have a real winner on its hands.




Amount Paid (US$): 34,000