Her and His Reviews
September 2011
2011 Saab 9-5 Aero
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Don Hammonds, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| HER | HIS |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP:$55,165 | MSRP:$55,165 |
| Performance | |
| This 2.8 liter, 300 horsepower turbocharged sedan has some get up and go along with 295 lb-ft of torque. Handling and acceleration were exceptional �?? although not the quickest in its class. | 2.8 liter, 300 horsepower turbocharged six, backed by a six speed automatic. Acceleration is lively, sometimes explosive on the 9-5. It feels supple, athletic, and incredibly well tuned at all times. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 17 city/27 highway | 17 city/27 highway |
| The Car | |
| It's been a long time coming. The newly designed 9-5 has good appeal and enjoyable aesthetics. In light of the company's recent cash problems and their thwarting production just a few months back, it's hard to say the final pit stop for this brand that once dominated the heart and souls of drivers in the US. However the changes cued in this new design are welcomed. It is longer and bigger than its predecessor, and is a larger vehicle than rivals Audi A6, BMW 5 Series and the Volvo S80. Terrific leg and cargo room abound. | The 9-5 is, in my view, the best Saab in decades. It's far better than anything that came out of the years GM owned the company, and though GM helped them with the design of the new 9-5, it's still a Saab through and through. It would be an absolute shame if the company went out of business just as some of its best products seem to be ahead of them. |
| Safety | |
| The 9-5 is loaded with airbags including rear seat outboard airbags, active head restraints, communicative steering, rollover sensor, cornering brake control safety cage, front and rear crumple zone extended rear view mirrors, and more. | Rollover sensor, Saab active head restraints, wide angle passenger mirror, rear seat outboard airbags,, passenger sensing system plus all the usual safety equipment you get on most luxury cars these days. |
| Technology | |
| Lowered sport tuned chassis, dual climate control, 11 speaker kick audio system, Nav system, remote keyless entry, Panoramic sunroof, DriveSense with real time damping, Rear seat dual DVD system and Satellite radio. When all luxury cars (and many mid tired models) and now telling drivers how many miles until empty �?? a favorite feature of mine �?? the 9-5 does not. | It's all there, gang! High performance strut front suspension, lowered sport tuned chassis, DriveSense with real time damping, rollover sensor, cornering brake control safety cage, front and rear crumple zone, power everything, rear seat dual DVD system, cargo management system, steering wheel mounted controls for audio and on and on. More than you can imagine. |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
| The styling of the 9-5 is sleek. Clean design language on the outside gives it a welcomed match to its luxury rivals. Not so much bling on the inside is a plus or minus, depending on your preference. I found the interior unpretentious and impeccable. Exceptional leather and seating �?? love the extension for front passengers to accommodate taller drivers. Amble storage throughout. | Absolutely beautiful from every angle. Finally, Saab's 9-5 looks like the top of the line luxury car it was meant to be. |
| Warranty | |
| 4 year, 50,000 mile limited warranty. 3 year, 36,000 mile no charge on scheduled maintenance. | Four year, 50,000 mile limited warrant, three year, 36,000 mile no charge scheduled maintenance. |
