Skip advert
Advertisement
Long-term tests

Saab 9-5

Swedes have slashed price, which makes our big exec look more tempting than ever

Pros
  • The shorter autumnal evenings have made me appreciate the bi-xenon smartbeam headlamps more than ever. They adjust their light output to different speeds, corners and bad weather to help optimise visibility. Better still, the car senses oncoming traffic after dark and automatically switches from high to low beam.
Cons
  • There's no arguing with our fuel economy – a return of 38.5mpg is really impressive given the size of the 9-5 and the range of different journeys we’ve asked it to complete. Yet while the twin-turbo diesel has now loosened up, it’s still very gruff and can bog down at low engine revs if you misjudge the clutch when moving off.
Find your Saab 9-5
Compare deals from trusted partners on this car and previous models.
Or are you looking to sell your car?
Value my car
Fast, no-nonsense car selling
Value my car

Don't worry, I’m not trying to sell our long-term 9-5. But if that was my plan, Saab has just made the job a whole lot easier. Although the firm is in short-term financial trouble at the moment, UK bosses’ latest move ensures the executive car is more attractive than ever. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

After glancing through a list of the improvements, I did a quick reappraisal of our model, as anyone ordering a new 9-5 now will benefit from a host of extra kit as standard. When our 9-5 Aero 2.0 TTiD arrived earlier in the year, essentials such as sat-nav (£1,230), a DAB radio (£310) and DriveSense adaptive chassis (£975) all commanded a premium. But not any more.

These desirable extras have been added to the standard kit list on the latest models, and prices are slashed, too. As a result, the on-the-road price of our 9-5 has effectively dropped from £37,023 to £33,328. That’s a staggering £3,695 reduction. 

And our example’s total still includes add-ons like metallic paint (£540), adaptive lights (£410), the Convenience Pack Plus (£515), privacy glass (£310) and detachable towbar (£558). So the new Saab is better value than 

ever – but how is our model coping with life on the Auto Express fleet? Well, since our last report (Issue 1,169), we’ve added 3,688 miles and overall economy has dropped back to 38.5mpg –still pretty good for a vehicle measuring five metres long. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

Sportage

2021 Kia

Sportage

34,282 milesManualPetrol1.6L

Cash £14,800
View Sportage
Juke

2023 Nissan

Juke

14,691 milesManualPetrol1.0L

Cash £15,200
View Juke
A-Class

2021 Mercedes

A-Class

61,763 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,800
View A-Class
HS

2022 MG

HS

17,400 milesAutomaticPetrol1.5L

Cash £16,900
View HS

The 9-5 still splits opinion in the office, though. Many critics complain about the lack of true Saab heritage in its design and construction, while the gruff nature of its 2.0-litre TTiD diesel has also marked the car down.

It’s hard to argue with either criticism, and even Saab’s engineers aren’t 100 per cent happy with the installation and performance of the twin-turbo unit. A revised dashboard finish, in addition to the more competitive price, should help 

to appease buyers in new car showrooms, though. And either way, I still enjoy spending time behind the wheel; superb mile-munching ability and motorway comfort make the Saab a fine cruiser on long trips.

Another positive is the car’s rarity value – the distinctive design makes it one of the most striking members of our fleet, in my eyes. Trouble is, this exclusivity is one of the biggest headaches for bosses; they’d love to see more on the road. Add it to the uncertainty over Saab’s future, and used values have been hit hard – if we traded ours in for a younger model, we could expect to get less than £20,000 back in part-exchange. 

Yet my enthusiasm for the brand remains undimmed. If Saab can overcome its current cashflow problems, the latest changes to the 9-5 line-up and the imminent arrival of the practical Sportwagon estate version provide plenty of hope for the future. 

Skip advert
Advertisement

New & used car deals

Nissan Qashqai

Nissan Qashqai

RRP £27,415Avg. savings £5,924 off RRP*Used from £12,295
Kia Sportage

Kia Sportage

RRP £28,065Avg. savings £2,884 off RRP*Used from £11,995
Vauxhall Corsa

Vauxhall Corsa

RRP £19,200Avg. savings £4,685 off RRP*Used from £14,998
Skoda Kodiaq

Skoda Kodiaq

RRP £38,140Avg. savings £3,019 off RRP*Used from £11,695
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production
Range Rover Sport SV Black - front

Range Rover Sport SV gets massive £35k price drop as it enters series-production

There’s also a new SV Black trim, and a Range Rover Sport Stealth Package for non SVs
News
1 Jul 2025
Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model
Ferrari Amalfi - front static

Arrivederci Roma: new Ferrari Amalfi slots in as brand’s latest entry-level model

A slick new look and more power are the headlines for Ferrari’s new baby, but it’s probably some simple new buttons that will get customers’ attention
News
1 Jul 2025
Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV
Geely EX5 - front

Geely is coming to the UK, and its assault will start with EX5 SUV

Geely has looked to Lotus to ensure it's new electric SUV lives up to our driving expectations
News
2 Jul 2025