Saab 9 3 SE 2.0t Auto 4dr Car Review - March 2012

The 2.0 litre four cylinder turbocharged petrol engine produces maximum figures of 161bhp at 4000rpm and 236lb-ft at 1750-3500rpm and feels adequate enough. A 0-62 mph time of 9.4 seconds and a top speed of 130mph are respectable figures and the engine is suitably refined at cruising speeds.

This Saab 93’s ride is comfortable when cruising on motorways but pointing it down a twisting country road reveals its flaws. The steering feels dull and lifeless, bumps and potholes clonk through the suspension and the car’s overall handling leaves a lot to be desired. On the plus side, wind and road noise are suppressed fairly well making the cabin a pleasant place to soak up motorway miles.

There’s plenty of adjustment in the driver’s seat and steering wheel so most drivers should be able to find a decent position. The dashboard is laid out reasonably well with easy to read instruments but for the most part it looks and feels way behind the dashes of its rivals.

The Saab 93 SE 2.0t Auto 4dr is a smart and stylish looking car and carries that unmistakable Saab DNA. Inside, you get a CD, MP3 connectivity, Bluetooth, electric windows, electric door mirrors, cruise control, rear parking sensors, leather 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 £2,025.

There is plenty of room in the front of the cabin but the rear is smaller than you might expect. It can still seat five however shoulders would probably be rubbing if they were all adults. The boot doesn’t offer as much loading room as others in this class - 461 litres of space - but the rear seats can fold down to provide room for longer items.

This Saab 93 comes with six airbags as well as ABS, Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and stability control.

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. Fuel economy is not brilliant for a car of this size and its carbon footprint of 185 g/km means its running costs won’t be as low as its diesel siblings.

At £23,035 the Saab 93 SE 2.0t Auto 4dr is competitively priced in its class. It has a roomy, comfortable cabin with a reasonable spec and a useful amount of luggage space. It cruises well but its ride quality lacks the panache and excitement of its rivals. It feels sturdy and well bolted together but it’s not the most appealing or practical car in its class and it’ll attract fairly low resale values.

A combined cycle of 35.8mpg is a reasonable figure for a car of this size but with a CO2 emissions figure of 185g/km the taxes and running costs are only average.