It's amazing the stuff you can find down the back of the cushions on your sofa. I knew my future wife's parents were good sorts when a surreptitious delve down the back of their couch yielded a platinum Amex card and a confirmation note for the full Sky Sports channel setup. There's an equivalent to this limbo in the automotive world which can turn up little gems like the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.8i.

Think of it as the gap between the mainstream family saloons and their premium badged executive equivalents. Somewhere between the upspec Ford Mondeos and Vauxhall Vectras and the swish BMW, Mercedes, Audi and Lexus models is a market sector where manufacturers traditionally send their products to die a horrible death. Into this netherworld were dispatched the Jaguar X-Type, the Volvo S60, upspec Volkswagen Passats and swankier versions of the Honda Accord. Some fared better than others but squeezed between the paupers and the princes is a tough place to be. Saab's 9-3 has been fighting hard to keep its head above water in precisely this sector but the latest 1.8-litre versions complete with facelifted styling could do well by sheer dint of their sparkling value for money.

Prior to this normally aspirated 1.8-litre model arriving on the market, the entry level point to the 9-3 Sport Saloon range was the turbocharged 150bhp 1.8t at over £20,000. True, you got a whole lot more bang for your buck than with the blown Saab than with the starting points on the BMW/Mercedes/Audi ladder but the price was more than BMW were asking for the 316i ES of the day and this caused more than a few waverers. The 122bhp 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.8 opens proceedings at a mere £18,575, against which the premium badges have no answer whatsoever.

"Saab have retained their traditionally muscular feel in the engine's low and middle ranges without the expense of a turbocharger"

By using an electronic throttle and a variable length intake manifold, Saab have retained their traditionally muscular feel in the engine's low and middle ranges without the expense of a turbocharger. The added benefit is that the 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.8i offers competitive economy and emissions figures. With a combined fuel figure of 35.8mpg and emissions of 188g/km, the 9-3 1.8 isn't going to break the bank in terms of running costs. The engine offers sprightly if not ballistic acceleration, accelerating through the 60mph benchmark in 11.1 seconds and topping out at 123mph.

All the current Saab 9-3 models benefit from a facelift based on the Aero X concept car. The clamshell bonnet visually widens the front of the car and all external rubbing strips have been removed to give a cleaner look. There's a classier finish to the front grille and a set of LED light strips that sit across the top of the headlamp pod while the rear light clusters are shrouded in smoked glass. Inside, there's a more muted effect with less silver plastic.

The 9-3's ride and handling are better than any previous mid-range Saab model. Just when you think the ride has been optimised for high-speed cruising, the Saab's suspension shows that it knows what to do when presented with a corner. It deploys its power noticeably better than Saabs of yore as well. Despite being fitted with traction control electronics, the 9-3 is rarely forced to fall back on their safety net.

Three trim levels are available with this engine. As well as the £18,575 Airflow version, there are the more familiar Linear SE and Vector Sport variants. The Linear SE model weighs in at £20,585 with the Vector Sport versions costing from £22,135. Even the base Airflow variant is classily appointed with a cruise control, a trip computer, dual-zone climate control, tinted windows and a punchy Saab audio system as standard. Linear SE adds rear parking sensors and the Saab comfort pack. Then you have the Vector Sport which supplements this with the sports chassis, stability control and a sports steering wheel. Buyers seeking extra practicality can also opt for the SportWagon estate model and there's also the sleek convertible to bear in mind.

The cabin of the 9-3 remains resolutely Saab with all the controls angled towards the perpetually grinning pilot. The 9-3 Sports Saloon features a dash that's more upright than Dixon of Dock Green, the ignition next to the handbrake and a cupholder mechanism that can reduce design students to hushed reverence. Safety provision runs to active head restraints plus front, side and curtain airbags.

The 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.8i offers the same 5-star Euro NCAP safety ratings as the rest of the range. If you appreciate a car that's a little different from the run of the mill but which won't wallop you in the wallet as a consequence, the 9-3 Sport Saloon 1.8i makes a safe bet.

TOP 3 9-3 DEALS

The results below show the top 9-3 deals on buyacar

	Saab 9-3 1.8i Vector Sport 4dr Saloon
	ETR	Mthly £354	Saving £4,844	Price £17,786
	Saab 9-3 1.8i Airflow 4dr [Sat Nav] Saloon
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £2,436	Price £18,544
	Saab 9-3 1.8i Airflow 5dr [Sat Nav] Sportwagon Estate
	ETR	Mthly	Saving £2,575	Price £19,505

typical 11.80% APR

PCP finance quote over 48 months,  10,000 miles pa,  deposit of £1000