1996 Saab 900 SE Turbo

Saab says 'Find your own road.' We did and came to like it!

By Steven D. Gatt, Editor-in-Chief

Many people joke about the way Saab vehicles look, but guess what: form follows function! The Saab 900 SE Turbo, four door hatchback is a very versatile car. The turbo charged engine makes it relatively fun to drive; the four doors allow five passengers comfortably and the hatchback offers generous space for gobs of goodies.

The 2.0L, 4 Cylinder, 16 Valve DOHC turbo charged engines' output is only 185 hp @ 5500 rpm. Torque is rated at 194 lb-ft @2100. The higher torque is nice for getting the Saab moving off the line at a stop light. Once you get up to about 2700 rpm, the turbo charger kicks in and you really begin to move.

The power is put to the pavement through a 4-speed automatic transmission to the front wheels; steering is on the heavy side requiring driver attention and input. While the Saab is a 4-cylinder its mileage ratings seem low at 17 city and 25 highway. During our test we obtained 22 mpg. Stopping is accomplished via four-wheel, anti-lock disc brakes which work well when needed.

The driver and all passengers are treated to very comfortable leather seats; the driver and front passenger seats are eight-way power. The driver's seat is heated and features memory, so you don't have to adjust the seat every time someone else drives your car. The Saab is one of the only cars with head rests that actually begin to feel comfortable when reclining. Unfortunately, like many cars, the Saab seats are poor in the lateral support category. Even moderate corners make you slide around. Another minor complaint about the interior was high wind and road noise.

Interior safety features include airbags for the driver and front passenger, side impact protection that meets 1997 federal standards and safety cage front and rear crumple zones making this one safe car. In addition to being a safe car to drive, it is one that is rarely stolen. The ignition switch is not in the normal location on the dash or in steering column, but on the center console right next to the shifter.

The dash board is extremely stark in color, but once again, it is highly functional. Our Saab test car came with an on board computer and weather band radio. The computer wouldn't allow you to go anywhere without testing the brake lights to ensure they worked. Other features on our Saab 900 were a large power sunroof, headlamp washer/wiper system and air conditioning, all standard. In fact, the only option on our test car was the 4-speed automatic.

Cargo room is large and surpasses everything in the class (Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes Benz C Class). Rear seat room is plentiful for two and a close-but-comfortable fit for three adults. The rear seats fold down for even more space or you can just use the trunk pass through for smaller items like fishing poles or skis.

Saab claims that the 900 SE Turbo is a sports sedan. In reality it's more sedan than sport. The Saab 900 SE Turbo is a very versatile car. It carries five people comfortably, combined with plenty of storage space and just a dash of sport to top it off. For the total price of $31,185 you get all this wrapped up in a uniquely Saab design.