2011 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible
MSRP $45,080
Saab started out in Sweden making aircraft. They introduced quite a few aerodynamic tweaks to their cars over the years, but never really became a major player in the market. GM would eventually buy them. GM was ready to discontinue the entire line last year, when they were bought by Dutch carmaker Spyker, who intend to revamp and revitalize the Saab lineup.
The 2011 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible is an entry-level luxury convertible. It is the higher of two trim levels, but the 9-3 is also available as a sedan, and as the SportCombi wagon, which has a fairly creative design.
It has a 2.0 liter, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 210 horsepower. It has 17-inch alloy wheels, a 5-speed, front-wheel drive automatic transmission. It is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway.
It comes with a tilt-telescope steering wheel, 8-way adjustable power driver’s seat, leather upholstery, 2-zone climate control, cruise control, keyless entry, and a full power soft top. The sound system has 11 speakers, a CD/MP3 player, satellite radio, an audio jack, and bluetooth. There are some optional packages, including a navigation system, a Comfort Package, and a Premium Package.
The Aero convertible has anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control, side airbags, and active head restraints. The side airbags are taller because of the convertible configuration, and replaces side curtain airbags.
Conclusions and driver feedback:
There are a lot of things to like about the 2011 Saab 9-3 Aero Convertible. But are they enough for an entry-level luxury car in today’s market?
Even in the convertible, the interior is roomy. There is plenty of headroom all around, even with the top down, and plenty of legroom in the front. Rear passengers will probably need to be smaller. If you fold down the rear seat, you can get 72.3 cubic feet of cargo space, which is treading into compact crossover SUV territory.
The sporty tuning of the Aero gives it responsive steering and handling. It is tightened up enough to fix a few of the problems in the rest of the 9-3 line. It decreases the excessive body roll found in the 2.0, and gives a lot better feel in both the tires and the steering wheel. The Lumbar support in the front seat is impressive, and very comfortable.
There are, though, a lot of problems with the 9-3 line, even in the Aero Convertible. The interior, while decent, is built with hard plastic that is too cheap for a luxury car. The technology lags far behind other entry-level luxury cars. The ride is not a luxury car ride; it is too stiff even in the “luxury” suspension, and the sport suspension, while making it easier to drive, requires a sense of adventure and the suspension of belief that one is in a luxury car. Acceleration is too sluggish for its class.
The verdict: this year’s entire product line is one giant “Saab story.”
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