The 9-3 first premiered in 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. For the 2011/2012 year, Saab's 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 Convertible has a starting price around $39,990-45,080, and the SportCombi wagon has a starting price around $30,330-$37,020
Standard features are plentiful for the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan and include 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. The Aero trim comes equipped with even more impressive features, including: 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.
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 Automatic, a 2.0T XWD (all-wheel-drive), Manual and a 2.0T XWD (all-wheel-drive) Automatic. Fuel consumption and price varies due to the engine chosen, from a rather-low 20 combined mpg with the 2.0T XWD Automatic to a more-respectable 24 mpg combined with the 2.0T Manual engine. Transmission options vary with the engine chosen.