Saab 9 3 Convertible Aero 1.9 TTiD (180ps) Auto 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The 1.9 litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces maximum figures of 178 bhp (180 ps) at 4000rpm and 295lb-ft at 1800-2500rpm and feels adequately potent with a 0-62 mph time of 9.5 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph. The car pulls well and the automatic gearbox is smooth, so it feels refined on the open road.

With the roof up you get a little wind noise to contend with, but its never excessive and with the roof down, you are well protected from any buffeting making the cabin a pleasant place to enjoy al fresco motoring.

This Saab 93 Convertible’s ride is comfortable on both motorways and country roads. It’s not as sharp as the BMW 3 Series convertible, but body roll is well contained and the steering sharper than the with the Saab 93 saloon and estate versions.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat and the steering wheel, so most drivers should be able to get comfortable. The dashboard is fairly well laid out and for the most part the quality of materials is reasonable, but it still falls short of the dashes of its main rivals.

The Saab 93 Convertible Aero 1.9 TTiD (180ps) Auto 2dr is a smart and stylish looking soft top. The 18 inch 10 spoke Turbine alloy wheels and sporty body kit including rear spoiler add an extra layer of attitude to the car’s exterior.

Inside you get a CD player, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, electric windows, electric door mirrors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather sports seats and climate control as standard. It also comes with an alarm and immobiliser and front fog lights.

Metallic paint is a £540 option and Satnav is priced at £2,025.

Saab’s fare reasonably well in the reliability stakes, but they aren’t without their problems. This car comes with a three year 60,000 mile warranty.

With the touch of a button, the hood folds neatly away in around 20 seconds, but reduces luggage space from 352 litres to 235 litres. Still, it’s enough for a couple of overnight bags. The front seats have plenty of space, but although the rear can seat two adults, it’s best described as snug rather than spacious. The seatbelts are built into the seats themselves so reaching them is easily achievable without the need for electric arms handing them to you.

This Saab 93 Convertible comes with many safety features including front and side airbags, emergency pop-up roll over hoops, ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and stability control.

At £33,180, the Saab 93 Convertible Aero 1.9 TTiD (180ps) Auto 2dr is getting towards the top of its class’s price bracket and therefore losing its “cheaper alternative” appeal to its German rivals.

However, it is a great looking open top, with a roomy, comfortable cabin with plenty of extras and safety features.

A combined cycle of 45.6 mpg is a good figure for a car in this class and with a CO2 emissions figure of 162 g/km the taxes and running costs won’t break the bank.