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2005 Saab 9-2x Near-Luxury Compact Sport Wagon
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A Saabaru is what you get when Saab and Subaru design teams collide
If you don't mind the fact that your Saab, isn't really a Saab -- the key is inserted on the steering column and not on the center console as with all previous Saabs -- then you'll get a satisfying vehicle.
General Motors jumped the gun on this product introduction. They were over anxious for Saab to have a product to compete in the new Premium Compact Sport Sedan market. They should have given Saab a little more time to introduce a vehicle of their own into this segment.
Exterior
The 9-2x is only available as a wagon. This because it is targeted at one-person households, thus it has to serve multiple purposes as a sports, commuter, daily hauler and weekend getaway car.
The car has a traditional Saab three-opening grill. The nose is not quite as tapered as Swedish-built Saabs as the redesigned skin is stretched over a longer Subaru front end. The Aero version is turbocharged, and intercooled, so there is a large opening on the hood to conduct air. Overall the 9-2x looks like a Saab and is a more attractive, sophisticated, and refined than the Subaru WRX. It's like the difference between a gangly teenager, and fit 28-year old man.
There is one special color available for this product called Desert Silver Metallic. Get it in this color. It makes the car a little bit more collectible.
Interior
The outstanding interior features in the 9-2x are the Saab seats with whiplash protection. These are much better than the Subaru seats, and hold you in place when whipping the car around on mountain roads. Having an anti-whiplash protection system is worth paying extra for.
Volvo's S40 has a lovely interior with excellent fit and finish. The Saab 9-2x is really an economy-level Subaru interior with Saab seats. But because the interior really isn't near-luxury, the 9-2x can't compete with the Volvo V40. Blame this on GM's rush to market.
Performance
There are two engine options for the 9-2x. The first is available in the Linear model. It is a 165-horsepower, 4-cylinder, horizontally opposed, normally-aspirated Boxer engine.
The Aero version has a 227-horsepower, turbocharged, 4-cylinder, horizontally-opposed Boxer engine. This is a great engine. It really performs, and the acceleration is fabulous. The Subaru WRX, with the same engine, is a race-winner in the World Rally Championship. This speaks volumes for the engine and product overall. If you are considering the 9-2x we highly recommend the Aero version. It's the only one to buy.
Ride and Handling
The 9-2x is the only Saab available in the US with all-wheel drive. This is great for tough winters in the north and rainy summers in the south. Given that the Subaru WRX also has all-wheel drive, it is likely most buyers will opt for the less-expensive product since there is little that distinguishes between the two.
There are two transmissions available. Standard on the base model Linear is a 5-speed manual transmission. This is a good transmission, as good as what is in a Toyota, or Mazda. It's easy to shift, and has a nice short throw for optimal "whipping around." It is an option in the Aero, but it is the right transmission to have in the car.
There is an optional 4-speed automatic transmission. While one might need it for fighting daily traffic, you'll miss the fun of the manual when you get to take the 9-2x into the mountains. Opt for the manual.
Safety
Saab has a good reputation for safety. The body structure is heavier than the Subaru, making it a bit sturdier. The Saab seats and whiplash protection are the only things setting the 9-2x apart from the Subaru WRX. The 9-2x has done well in Europe's NCAP tests, so we expect it to do fairly well in the NHTSA and IIHS tests. But those have not been conducted yet.
