Rear passenger room seems generous, provided that you don't slide the front seats all the way back. The rear seats will easily sit three kids or young teenagers; their headrests were cleverly designed to offer decent support and not to impede the driver's rearward visibility. The HVAC system is good and makes for a comfortable interior. Soundproofing is also worth mentioning. By selecting the base model instead of the higher-end Aero model with 17-inch wheels, you'll enjoy a much quieter and smoother ride.

The turbocharged engine is a great fit for this car.

A competent tourer
On the road, the precise steering is very helpful when attacking corners. While suffering from a bit of understeer, the SportCombi has a great road-holding ability. In the city, this Saab edges its way with ease and proves remarkably stable on highways. Under the rain, the StabiliTrak system works seamlessly to make the driving safer.

With the turbocharged V6, the SportCombi delivers very satisfying performances. Still, Daniel thought it could use more power. The acceleration times are as follow: 7.5 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and less than 6 seconds from 80 to 120 km/h. Even with the smaller 2.0T engine, which produces 221 lb-ft of torque, you have to keep both hands on the steering wheel during takeoffs because torque steer is sizeable. The effect is lesser once up to speed and during passing maneuvers. The 6-speed manual transmission of our tester was pleasant to manipulate; gears are perfectly spaced although the throws are still too long.

Decent fuel economy
Braking performance is disappointing, especially for such a premium wagon. It took 41 meters to stop from 100 to 0 km/h, which is too much. Most rivals fare considerably better in this regard. Yet, despite the 210 horsepower of the four-banger, this Saab managed to achieve a combined city-highway fuel economy rating of 11.8 L/100 km, which is pretty reasonable given our fairly aggressive driving style.

The verdict
Personally, I would not hesitate to buy this car considering its build quality and road manners. In 2003, my brother-in-law chose the SportCombi (over many competitors) because of all the room available in the back for his teenage boys. Shoulder room is very important; only a few cars can truly and comfortably sit three people in the back for long drives. The 9-3 SportCombi is one of them. The rest is just a matter of size.


Styling and fit & finish
Cargo and rear passenger room
Performance and fuel economy
Visibility

Driving position (depending on your size)
Braking distances
Price



Pedals (Daniel)
Legroom (Daniel)


Photo Credit : Philippe Champoux