Saab's 9-3 Sport Sedan Could Use a Little More Vigor

But there's "on paper" and then there's reality: Last year 32,700 Saabs were sold in the U.S. That's 10 percent of the sales posted by competitor Lexus and 11 percent of BMW's. With numbers like that, Saab's corporate parent, General Motors — itself grappling with record losses — must decide whether to reinvigorate the venerable Swedish brand or let it fade away. Let's just say the redesigned Saab 9-3 could use a little more vigor.

When we took the new 9-3 out between the stripes, its driving manners seemed more tame than turbocharged. Sure, it shows more agility than the tanklike Saabs of yesteryear, but it doesn't feel as lithe or responsive as an Audi A4 or the Lexus IS cars. And it lacks the taut ride and crisp handling that define BMW's performance; indeed, the 9-3 would benefit from more-precise steering. Gas mileage, too, is just average for cars in this class. The front-wheel-drive base 2.0T (for turbo), with 210 horsepower, burns through a decent but unimpressive 19 miles a gallon in the city and 29 on the highway with a standard six-speed manual transmission.

Then there's the lackluster look. Saabs have always whispered, "I'm understated but a little quirky," and few in the current crop of near-luxury sedans can claim distinctive styling. But just try finding your 9-3 in a parking garage filled withother silver sport sedans; it's tough. Whereas the BMW 3-series and the Infiniti G37 both sport distinctive exterior "crease" lines that make them appear poised for action, there's no design distinction here — and not a trace of Saab's familial eccentricities, outside or in. That is, unless you count the cupholder that pops balletically out of the dashboard. While it may epitomize minimalist Scandinavian design, it's downright shaky with some drinks — just one example ofhow the 9-3's interior feels subpar. Others include the cheap-feeling plastic instrument panel and less-than-supportive seats — signs, it appears, that General Motors is carefully rationing its investment in the brand. For its part, Saab says it's "following a design strategy of 'less is more.'"

Earlier this year Saab unveiled its 9-4X BioPower concept vehicle, an all-wheel-drive, four-cylinder turbocharged crossover that runs on E85 ethanol fuel, which GM will launch in about 18 months. GM had better hope that it turbocharges this flagging brand.