ABOUT THE SAAB 97X 2005-2007 |
Conceived to be a key part of Saab's aggressive redevelopment of its product line, the 9-7X aims to attract new customers to its lineup and more importantly keep current Saab owners in the Swedish automaker's family. Saab's market research showed that 39 percent of Saab owners in the U.S. currently have an SUV in their household, while 30 percent of its customers who leave the brand do so to purchase a four-door SUV. In an attempt to keep its claim as the fastest growing European premium car brand in the U.S., Saab desperately needed an SUV to stem the exodus. In the rush to get the 9-7X to market, Saab used the same platform that underpins the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet Trailblazer and GMC Envoy. The fact that the 9-7X is based on General Motor's midsize SUV platform doesn't make it a completely new vehicle, but extensive modifications to the suspension tuning, exterior styling and interior trim were made to give the 9-7X a look and feel that's uniquely Saab. To achieve this lofty goal, plenty of overtime hours were spent trying to distance the 9-7X's exterior looks from its American cousins. The trademark three-port grille, European-styled headlamps and wraparound rear-quarter windows find their way into the design. Saab stylists also made sure that the profile was clean and uninterrupted, without big bumper offsets or protruding shapes to give the 9-7X a distinctly European flavor. Achieving the road feel of a European sedan using an American truck chassis is no small task, but Saab appears to have made the kind of changes that will yield a responsive SUV. Engineers stiffened the front frame and installed firmer bushings, thicker sway bars and revalved shock absorbers to achieve more stable and responsive handling than the GM-badged versions offer. The 9-7X also uses a quicker 18.5-to-1 steering ratio with street-oriented 18-inch wheels and tires to give it a more sedan like feel. All-wheel drive and an electronically controlled rear air suspension round out the package. Unfortunately, there are no traditional Saab turbocharged engines available. Instead, the 9-7X comes with either a standard 275-horsepower, 4.2-liter inline six or the optional 300-hp, 5.3-liter V8. Coupled to both of these engines is a four-speed automatic transmission. The Saab 9Â7X comfortably seats five adults. Like most luxury SUVs, the 9-7X comes standard with all the latest amenities including heated leather seats, automatic climate control, a driver information computer, wood accents and the ONSTAR satellite communications system. It holds up to 41.0 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seat back up and 80.1 cubic feet with the seat back folded down. A 60/40-split rear bench seat is standard as is a trailer hitch receiver and hitch receiver cover. This faux import comes all the way from the Nordic lands of Moraine, Ohio. While we like what the 9-7X offers in principle, we're not sure that Saab's traditional clientele of highly educated people with discriminating tastes will want to buy a domestically made GM knockoff. Click here for more information about the Saab 97X Directly from Saab cars USA! Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:The 9-7X is a midsize four-door SUV that seats five and comes in one trim level. Standard equipment includes 18-inch alloy wheels with Dunlop all-season tires, all-wheel drive, an anti-theft system, leather upholstery, power-adjustable front seats, automatic climate control, an MP3-compatible CD player, front FOGLIGHTS, the ONSTAR communications system and no-charge scheduled maintenance for three years or 36,000 miles. Optional equipment includes a rear DVD player with a flip-down screen for rear passengers, a DVD-based navigation system, high-intensity discharge headlights, a sunroof, an in-dash CD changer and satellite radio. Available optional packages include a Convenience Package with adjustable pedals and headlamp washers, as well as a Protection Package with body-side molding and front skid plates. Power trains and Performance:Being very un-Saab-like, there are no turbocharged power plants available for the 9-7X. Your choice of power comes from either a 275-horsepower, 4.2-liter inline six or a 300-hp, 5.3-liter V8. Coupled to these engines is an electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission. Safety:Saab packs all the safety features into the 9-7X you'd expect in a Swedish vehicle. Four-wheel ABS, an all-wheel-drive system, dual-stage frontal airbags, a rollover sensing system, daytime running lights and side curtain airbags are standard. The 9-7X has not been crash tested, but the Chevrolet Trailblazer on which it's based received three stars out of five in NHTSA frontal crash tests for the driver and front passenger and five stars for side-impact protection. The IIHS rated it "Marginal" (second lowest) after conducting its offset frontal impact test. Interior Design and Special Features:Saab drivers will feel right at home in the 9-7X's interior. Traditional brand distinctive design elements such as the instrument panel's cockpit-inspired center stack and driver-oriented controls will be instantly recognizable by aficionados. Wood grain trim on the dash and contrasting seat upholstery and door inserts do their part to give the 9-7X the progressive upscale feel of other Saab models. And, of course, it just wouldn't be a Saab without the center console ignition switch. Those who look closer will see the cabin's GM roots, a resemblance that cheapens the 9-7X next to stylish rivals like the Volkswagen Touareg and Volvo XC90. Cargo capacity measures 41 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 80 cubes when they're folded. Driving Impressions:Achieving the road feel of a European sedan using an American truck chassis is no small task, but Saab has made the kind of changes that will yield a responsive SUV. The 9-7X's stiffened front frame and reworked suspension give it more stable and responsive handling than any of its GM counterparts. Both the standard inline six and optional V8 provide more than ample power, but neither has the refinement of Saab's homegrown turbocharged engines. |
| Back to 97X FAQs |
| Contribute Info to this FAQ |