Saab 9 3 Convertible SE 1.9 TTiD (160ps) 2dr Car Review - March 2012

The 1.9 litre four cylinder turbocharged diesel engine produces maximum figures of 158 bhp (160 ps) at 4000 rpm and 266 lb-ft at 1750-2750 rpm. A 0-62 mph time of 10.4 seconds and a top speed of 130 mph are fairly average figures, but the car pulls well enough and the engine feels suitably refined at cruising speeds.

This Saab 93 Convertible’s ride is comfortable when cruising on motorways or driving down a country road, although it’s not as sharp as the BMW 3 series convertible. Body roll is well contained and the steering is much more responsive than the Saab 93 saloon and estate versions. With the roof up you do get a little wind noise to contend with, but its never excessive. When the roof is down, you are well protected from any buffeting making the cabin comfortable and quiet.

The dashboard is laid out reasonably well with easy to read instruments and for the most part the quality of materials is reasonable, but it still falls short of the dashes of its main rivals.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat and the steering wheel so most drivers should be able to find a decent position.

The Saab 93 Convertible SE 1.9 TTiD (160ps) 2dr is a smart and stylish looking soft top. 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 alloy wheels, an alarm and immobiliser and front fog lights.

Metallic paint is a £540 option and Satnav will cost £2,025.

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.

The front of the cabin is spacious, but the rear seats are best described as snug rather than roomy. 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. It should be enough for a couple of overnight bags, though. The seatbelts are built into the seats themselves so reaching them is easily achievable without the need for electric arms handing them to you.

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

The Saab 93 Convertible SE 1.9 TTiD (160ps) 2dr costs £27,500.

A combined cycle of 54.3 mpg is a good figure for a car in this class and with a CO2 emissions figure of 137 g/km, the taxes and running costs are pleasingly low.

It has a roomy, comfortable cabin with plenty of extras and safety features. It is a good value for money convertible, but it is not the most exciting open top on the market.