Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.0t Review: Saab Standard

Forget about those things. I thought, this car could be a brilliant drive.

So I stuck the key into the ignition, where it belongs, which is near the centre armrest beside the handbrake lever. Fighter planes are like that too, perhaps, I thought. Turned the key and the 2.0 litre turbo-charged engine rumbled to life without much fanfare.

As I moved out of the parking lot, the first thing which struck me was how heavy the steering was, unlike most of the other European cars I’ve driven, and even significantly harder to steer at low speeds compared to Volvo’s even larger S80.

First, I tried out the M-mode and shifted gears via buttons on the steering wheel, but not for very long because they were a little too small. Upshifts felt like getting paperwork approved in an office.

“Oh it’s not here, you need to take the lift up to the second floor and turn left” or “Sorry you need to go back downstairs to get this stamped”. Then, it will shift one gear up for you – that didn’t mean that the transition was smooth-sailing, either.

Virtually no one has been heard waxing lyrical about how well their Saab handles and grips around bends, or how well it absorbs bumps. Maybe, thats because they don't fully harness the prowess of the car to know how well it overtakes on the highways.

So enough of all that. I left it back in D as that was good enough, and headed for the highway. That’s where everything changed. Every time I put my foot down, the car turned into the Nordic Hammer of Thor.

Flooring the throttle makes all the difference between day and night in this Saab. Those torque figures on paper (280nm from 1800-3500rpm) do not hold true. Not that there isn't a good spread of torque in the low end, but the acceleration of the car just gets stronger from 3500rpm onwards.

We reckon that they meant 1800rpm to the rev limit! Such a surprise then, this change of character.

The car charges forward with such ferocity, and with its lovely, meaty engine, felt like it was going to punish the traffic for being slow. The torque range, be it on the highway or along urban roads, is definitely very suitable when you need to get a quick move on.

In tight corners such as South Buona Vista Road (or commonly termed, the "99 bends") the car feels relatively nose-heavy a tad reluctant to turn in when punted hard into a corner (not like anyone would be doing so though). Its road-holding capabilities remain at a very respectable level.

What surprised us, is that while you thought you were going faster than the indicated speed through a corner, you'll actually think you're going tons slower at high speed.

The Saab is refined and quiet, even at, well, let's just say "Gripen takeoff speeds". In addition, it accelerates and holds its speed so well, you wouldn't notice that you're barelling along the highway at such velocity.

That 2.0 litre turbo engine revs to its limit effortlessly, much so for a 4 pot, and if not for the overly compliant suspension, would make it a joy to punt around in tight corners.

While its suspension feels a little soft and a tad bit wobbly, it delivers a comfortable ride and at the same time, it definitely won’t make you want to reach for the sick-bag. However, when put in a difficult situation, the car gets uncertain, rolling and pitching about with hints of understeer.

Details into fit and finish have much room for improvement, but as much as it seems that this car hasn’t set a strong footing in any area, we think it that it is a definitive star on the highways, never running out of breath, nor making the driver and passengers feel tired from a long ride.

Credits: Andy Hum, Amery Reuben