Saab 9-4X

The 9-4X is primarily a front-wheel-drive machine with the rear wheels brought into action if required. The result is a car that’s undeniably safe. But from behind the wheel, its reactions are too dulled to make it a match for Audi or BMW rivals. It will carry five people and their luggage in comfort, yet where the big Swede really scores is on standard kit and a competitive price. Running costs are likely to be high, though, which means potential buyers will need deep pockets for fuel bills

SAAB’S 9-4X has been a long time coming. In Issue 1.164, we got an initial taste of the firm’s new SUV, but now we’ve been able to really push the car to its limits. 

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First impressions are that it’s 
a handsome machine, and the relationship with its sister 9-5 is easy to spot. The cabin of our car was a rather sombre black affair, and the instruments wrap around the driver in typical Saab style. It’s well put together, but the quality of the materials varies wildly, meaning it lacks the 
classy ambience of rivals such 
as Audi’s Q5 and BMW’s X3. 

It’s spacious, though – despite targeting the Q5 and X3 on price, the 9-4X is similar in size to the larger BMW X5, so there’s lots 
of room in the boot and rear. 

When it goes on sale in the 
UK later in the year, priced at around £40,000, only one model will be offered – the 2.8-litre V6 Aero petrol – and there’s no frugal diesel in the pipeline. However, the Aero comes loaded with kit, getting gadgets such as dual-zone climate control, electric seats and a powered tailgate, as well as four-wheel drive and 20-inch alloy wheels. In fact, the only options available to potential buyers will be paint colours 
and a rear-seat DVD system.

On the road, Saab’s goal was to make the 9-4X comfortable, yet fun to drive. It has managed the former. The SUV is a refined and quiet companion on the motorway. However, it’s a very stiff car – Saab reckons the 
9-4X is the most rigid model it’s ever made – and it may not be compliant enough for UK roads.

Although it sounds smooth, and Saab claims a 0-60mph time of around eight seconds, the 300bhp engine has to work hard through the six-speed auto box to reach a healthy speed. As a result, economy suffers – we only managed 19.8mpg on our drive, which means you’ll be making plenty of trips to the pumps. 

With no diesel version, it’s probably no surprise to learn 
that the firm is only expecting 
to sell 200 a year in Britain.