Used 2011 SAAB 9-5 Sedan Review & Ratings

Saab has a small but determined fan base. When auto maker General Motors went bankrupt in 2009, it was forced to shut down several car lines, and the Saab brand was one of those. But after a fan campaign to save the company, Dutch car maker Spyker heeded the call and bought the Saab brand and all assets. Saab now operates as an independent auto maker, utilizing its long standing design and engineering to produce its distinctive luxury sedans, namely the 9-3 and 9-5 models.

The Saab 9-5 is one of those rare cars that looks smaller than it is. The sleek design and smart engineering make what is a surprisingly bulky car actually appear quite clean and streamlined. One of Saab's larger sedans, the 9-5 is typically driver oriented in both interior design and handling. It's not at the top of its midsized luxury sedan class, but it's one of the more uniquely styled.

This new 2011 9-5 brings the famous Saab styling with more updated features and design. The traditional Saab grille is in place, but stretched and lowered to offer a new profile. The windows appear seamlessly joined, giving the appearance of one wraparound piece of glass. The back end is classic Saab, updated with LED lighting in a signature Saab shape. The aerodynamic styling is a nod to Saab's aviation heritage and Swedish origins; simple but elegant and unique.

Inside, the Saab 9-5 offers a quiet, tasteful passenger cabin with plenty of room for both front and back passengers. Saab's typical oversized center console has been updated and improved, with deeply recessed dials and illuminated displays shaped to allude to heritage in aviation. Instead of the traditional ignition switches between the two front seats, there is now a more modern start and stop button.

Turbo models are powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-4 engine that delivers 220 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. It comes with a standard six-speed manual. A six-speed automatic is standard on all other trims. The Aero gets a fantastic 2.8-liter V6 engine that produces 300 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Not only does this car deliver impressive power, it returns pretty decent gas mileage at 20 mpg in the city and 33 mpg on the highway.

If your main concern is safety, you will be pleased to learn that the 9-5 boasts thoughtful features, including child seat anchors, tire pressure monitoring, emergency braking preparation, post collision safety system, stability and traction control, emergency braking assist, rear door safety locks and an engine immobilizer.