| Tuesday, August 08, 2006 |
2006 Saab 9-2X: Reviews & Specs |
 This is basically a WRX with a nicer warranty. It's gonna' be discontinued in '07, and the production has stopped. Snap one up now if you can find one (Jun 06). These are rare, fast, and very fun to drive. WIth the Subie drivetrain, upgrades are a breeze, and parts supply will never dwindle.
4.5 stars out of 5.
Pros
Acceleration, reliability based on subaru counterpart, ride, styling, handling, fuel economy (been avg. 27 - 30 mpg), awd, longer warranty, dealership experience, and saab enhancements to the interior and exterior as well as mechanical.
Cons
No options for MP3 Player or NAVIGATION. Also, no option for six shifts and paddle shifting.
News
We'd be very surprised if the 9-2X returns for '07. Saab's press information doesn't mention it, and GM has all but cut ties with Subaru parent company Fuji Heavy Industries. But as Saab still needs an entrant in the low-$20,000 market, the 9-2X could be replaced by a recast version of some other GM product, though it's unclear just what that might be. Stay tuned.
New for 2006
The 2006 Saab 9-2X Aero receives a new 2.5-liter turbocharged engine that delivers 230 horsepower and 235 lb-ft of torque. The base trim for 2006 is the 9-2X 2.5i to reflect the 2.5-liter normally-aspirated engine that now produces 173 horsepower.
Interior Design and Special Features
Inside, the 2006 Saab 9-2X is almost all Subaru. Clean, legible gauges are easier to read than most Saab-designed instrumentation, but they're also rather plain in appearance. The two-tone cloth upholstery is attractive and the textured plastics and vinyls on the dash and door tops are actually better than the stuff in some of the more expensive Saab cars, but you'll also find hard, shiny plastic on the console and pillars as well as a cheap headliner that feels like cardboard. This is also the only premium-brand vehicle we know of that doesn't have retained accessory power. A 60/40-split-folding rear seat is at the ready, should you have the need to stow bulky cargo. Maximum cargo capacity is 62 cubic feet -- about the same as an Audi A4 wagon.
Safety
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes and side airbags for front occupants are standard on every 9-2X. Also standard are active front head restraints, which help protect against whiplash in the event of a rear-impact collision. In NHTSA crash tests, the Saab 9-2X received a perfect five stars in frontal-passenger protection, and four stars in driver protection.
Powertrains and Performance
Two engines are available for the Saab 9-2X. The base 2.5i model comes with a naturally aspirated, 2.5-liter horizontally opposed four-cylinder rated for 173 horsepower and 166 lb-ft. The Aero model gets considerably more juice in the form of a turbocharged 2.5-liter boxer four that makes 230 hp and 235 lb-ft of torque. A five-speed manual transmission comes standard on both the 2.5i and Aero, while a four-speed automatic is optional. All-wheel drive is standard on both trims.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Saab 9-2X is available as a four-door wagon only in two trims, 2.5i and Aero. Standard items on the 2.5i include a 16-inch alloy wheels, rear roof spoiler, tinted glass, cloth sport seats, a height-adjustable driver seat, manual air conditioning, full power accessories and a four-speaker, single-CD sound system. Step up to Aero and the goodie bag swells to include metallic-framed gauges; a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob and handbrake; automatic climate control; a cabin air filter; front foglamps; and a six-speaker stereo with an in-dash CD changer. Options include 17-inch twin alloy wheels, leather upholstery, seat heaters, HID headlights, de-icing wipers and a moonroof.
Driving Impressions
Although the Impreza's suspension settings were softened for the Saab 9-2X, the wagon still lacks the refined ride quality of the Audi A3 and Volvo V50. However, it's certainly fun to toss around on back roads, especially in Aero form. The engine in the 2.5i provides ample get-up-and-go for everyday driving, but it can feel sluggish during highway passing maneuvers. Aside from a smidgen of the off-the-line lag, the Aero's turbocharged engine is a delight, with a broad powerband and a smooth delivery. In either case, the automatic transmission tends to blunt its performance, so get the manual gearbox if you can.
Favorite Features
Spirited performance with manual transmission. Solid handling. Saab service (loaner cars, 2 year free service, and a 4 year warranty). Features and styling not available on the Subaru Impreza. Easy to upgrade and modify.
Overall Review
Do not overlook this vehicle if you can find one...especially an automatic. This unique cross-breeding between GM and Subaru will be one for the history books considering Saab's roots are of Sweedish origin and the vehicle is manufactured in Japan while being sold as American since GM's acquisition of Saab a few years ago.
Ratings Snapshot
2006 Saab 9-2X Wagon 2.5i
Consumer Reports Overview
Highs: Ride, steering feel, crash-test results, standard AWD.
Lows: Rear seat, mediocre fuel economy and acceleration, fit and finish.
The 9-2X is a thinly disguised Subaru Impreza wagon with a slightly longer warranty. All-wheel drive is standard, and power comes from Subaru's standard 2.5-liter four-cylinder, which is just adequate. The strong 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder from the WRX comes in the Aero trim line. Handling is quite agile, and the ride is supple. Rear cargo volume is limited. This peculiar crossbreeding is a result of GM owning Saab and recently holding some stock interest in Subaru's parent company. The 9-2X will be discontinued in 2007. IIHS offset frontal and side crash test results are impressive.
2006 Saab 9-2X Prices
MSRP Price Range $22,990 - $26,950
Invoice Price Range $21,841 - $25,603
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posted by Algreen  |
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