Teresa’s View

Sat., March 11, 2006

Teresa Mccallion Marketing Department Correspondent

Saab says the all-new 9-7X plays a crucial role in its strategy to enter new market segments. That’s good news for Saab fans who’ve had to make due with a stable of only three cars and, until now, no trucks.

Last spring, the Swedish automaker introduced the 9-7X, a midsize sport-ute. However, Saab’s first SUV is a bit of a sleight of hand since it uses the same underpinnings as several sport-utes produced by parent company General Motors, including the Chevy Trailblazer, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy and Isuzu Ascender. Fortunately, the design is all Saab. Favoring the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg end of the style spectrum, the 9-7X is luxurious, sophisticated and a bit eccentric. The designers mollify Saab devotees — a small, but enthusiastic crowd — with several Saab-centric features such as the placement of the ignition switch on the center console and a distinctive Scandinavian design.

There is one misstep in the otherwise quality interior — the edges of some plastic panels were not well finished. Each time I reached for the parking brake, for instance, I scraped my hand on sharp edges at the base of the dash.

The 9-7X sits lower to the ground than traditional stump-jumpers, giving it a sporty, aerodynamic appearance and creating a lower step-in height for vertically challenged passengers. On the road, it feels solid and sure-footed.

Like fellow Swedish automaker Volvo, Saab puts a great deal of effort into safety features. Side-curtain airbags with a rollover sensor system are standard. So are knee bolsters designed to increase lower body protection during a collision.

Buyers are offered a choice of a 290-horsepower inline six-cylinder engine or a 300-horsepower V-8. Although a clever fuel-saving feature that automatically switches to four-cylinder mode during highway cruising is found on the V-8 models, estimated fuel economy is a pitiful 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

Both engines are from GM and so are their four-speed automatic transmissions. Eventually, one hopes to see Saab-produced five- and six-speed trannies make their way to the 9-7X.

What Is It?: The 9-7x is a premium midsize SUV with seating for up to seven. Two available trims are identified by their engine size – the 9-7X 4.2i for the six-cylinder and the 9-7X 5.3i for the eight. Prices start at $40K.

Gadget Rating: 8 out of 10. The climate controls are unnecessarily confusing. Thumb dials rotate to adjust the temperature, but it never got warm enough for me. Otherwise, Gadget Central is clean, clear and easy to access while driving. The standard features list is extensive. However, the absence of dual-zone climate controls is a shocking omission in a vehicle at this price point.

So, Where Are Ya From?: The 9-7X is built in Moraine, Ohio.

Cheat Sheet: Saab continues to manufacture jet fighter planes, but the automotive production side of the company is owned by General Motors.

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