Automobile drives the Saab 9-4X

The Saab 9-4X test drives keep on coming. Now it is Automobile which has published their firstdrive. And they seem to enjoy the car.


They think it looks like a Saab:

And the 9-4X certainly looks like a Saab. It and the SRX each wear an entirely different suit of sheetmetal, and each gets its own greenhouse. The Saab's design is arguably the more handsome of the two, and looks right at home alongside the new 9-5 sedan.

Then they continue by not being impressed by the interior, but they like that the car has active head restrains:

They do get points for their active head restraints -- something you won't find in the SRX.

They think Saab did a good job on the engine:

Indeed, the 9-4X Aero feels livelier than the last SRX turbo I drove, and engine noise is well suppressed. The turbocharger's boost is nicely integrated, making for linear throttle response.

They like how the car drives:

On the drive's scenic parkways, feverishly expanding freeways, and gentle byways, the 9-4X Aero's chassis was pleasantly tied down. At the same time, it capably sopped up the few bumps we could find to throw at it, with decent ride comfort despite rolling on high-style, twenty-inch wheels.

And they conclude that the car can be a good addition for Saab:

This pleasant-driving and attractive-looking vehicle may not cut a fresh swath through the new-car market, but it's a big deal for Saab. The ragingly popular crossover market segment is one the brand had to enter. Indeed, Saab execs figure that the 9-4X will become its number-two volume product (behind the 9-3) in North America.

That's test number five of the 9-4X, and I check off one more positive test!