1998 SAAB 9-5 SportCombi 2.3L T 4AT FWD (185 HP)

Vehicle Overview

The station-wagon bodywork has different names, depending on the manufacturer. If Audi chose the name Avant and Mercedes-Benz T-Model, the Swedish car-maker chose the SportCombi.

Saab 9-5 was the largest model offered by the Swedish company. Since it was owned by GM, it had to fit somehow on the market to not interfere with other products made by the same group. The 9-5 was built on the same platform with the Opel/Vauxhall Vectra and Saturn L-Series. It was launched in 1997 as a sedan and, a year later, the station-wagon version was introduced to the market.

Up to the B-pillar, the car was the same as its sedan sibling. Things got different after that, with an extended roof-line and a roof spoiler over the tailgate. The car featured some interesting ideas, such as the tailgate-mounted lights to see around the loading area or to be seen from behind by an oncoming vehicle. It is well known that Saab was very concerned about safety. The Swedish company was the first car-maker in the world to introduce standard seatbelts in 1958.

Inside, the only change when compared to the sedan version was the rear bench, which could fold flat to extend the trunk area.

For the engine, the Swedish car-maker installed some of the engines installed in the sedan version. It also came equipped with an option for a five-speed automatic gearbox. The 5-speed manual was standard.