Used 2011 SAAB 9-3 Sport Sedan Review & Ratings

The 2011/2012 Saab 9-3 (pronounced "nine-three) Sport Sedan is one of the latest 9-3 models in a long line of Saab vehicles. The 9-3 was produced from 1988 (though it was first badged as the 9-3 starting in the 1999 model year), but it saw its last year of production in 2011 when the Saab brand parted ways. The 9-3 was preceded by the Saab 900 and was produced as a compact executive car. For the 2011/2012 year, the entry-level 9-3 comes in several variants: the Saab 9-3 sedan (which comes in Turbo4 and Aero trims), the Saab 9-3 wagon (SportCombi) (which comes in Turbo4, X, and Aero trims), the Saab 9-3x, and the Saab 9-3 convertible (which comes in Turbo4 and Aero trims). The Sport Sedan has a starting price around $28,900-$35,340, the Wagon has a starting price around $30,330-$37,020, and the Convertible has a starting price around $39,990-45,080.

There are no significant changes to the 2012 Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, which carries over from the 2011 model year. We'll focus on the Sport Sedan in this review. There are several different engine choices for the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan, though they are the same for both the Turbo4 and the Aero trims. These include: a 2.0T Manual, a 2.0T XWD Manual, a 2.0T Automatic, and a 2.0T XWD (all-wheel-drive) Automatic. Fuel consumption and price varies due to the engine chosen, from 20 combined mpg with the 2.0T XWD Automatic to 24 mpg combined with the 2.0T Manual engine. The latter is also the fastest, with a zero-to-sixty time of 7.4. The XWD Automatic is the slowest at 8.9 seconds. An automatic 5-speed transmission is featured alongside the 2.0T automatic, a manual 6-speed is included alongside the 2.0T manual, and an automatic six-speed comes alongside the 2.0T XWD Automatic.

Standard features are plentiful and include Bi-Xenon cornering headlights, electrically-operated seats, seventeen-inch alloy wheels, a Bose Surround Sound System, a sports chassis, an electrically-operated glass mooonroof, and an interior mirror with garage door opener for the Aero trim. The Turbo4 trim comes with 16-inch alloy wheels, Automatic Climate Control, Saab Active Head Restraint, a Saab Infotainment package, Cruise Control, and Electronic Stability Program. Navigation is optional with the Aero trim. Options include Bluetooth compatibility, a telephone console, CD storage Smart Slot, Saab Park Assist, several interior accents, and several wheel choices. Overall, the Saab is quite impressive.