Review of the new Saab 9-3X

Back when the compact SUV boom was in full swing, the opinion was regularly voiced that these 4x4 vehicles could spell the end for the traditional family estate car. Such views have subsequently been shown to be somewhat wide of the mark, with the estate having upped its game to offer greater practicality and more distinctive styling to go with that bigger boot. In fact, in many ways, the tables have been turned full circle and there's now a move amongst estate car manufacturers to claw back ground from the SUVs. The latest wave of high-riding all-wheel-drive estates raise questions for buyers about whether a full-blown SUV is really necessary and without an SUV of its own to complicate matters, Saab can push the point with impunity in promoting its 9-3X.

When you look at the huge diversification that the big executive car brands have indulged in of late, it puts the two model line-up offered by Saab into stark focus. The Swedish brand would group itself in the same prestige bracket as BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz but these rivals have at least four times the number of product lines. Even second tier premium marques such as Jaguar, Lexus and Volvo comprehensively outdo Saab when it comes to the choice they can offer their customers. The 9-3X is another string to Saab's product portfolio and for that reason alone it should be welcomed. It also makes perfect sense because Saab had both an advanced all-wheel-drive system and no SUV product from which the 9-3X might cannibalise sales.

Two engines are fitted to the 9-3X and this being Saab, they both have nice juicy turbochargers bolted on. The petrol option is the 210bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine from the standard 9-3 range and the diesel is the 1.9TTiD which uses twin-turbo technology to achieve its 180bhp. Both are fine engines but buyers seduced by the offer the 9-3X makes of a dynamic driving experience coupled with all-wheel-drive traction should note that only the petrol unit comes with XWD Cross Wheel Drive technology. The diesel option is front-wheel drive only. Strong performance is on the cards from both powerplants. The petrol yields maximum torque of 300Nm between 2,500 and 4,000rpm which will equate to useful flexibility and a 8.2s 0-60mph time. The diesel is only fractionally slower due to its lighter weight and the full 400Nm of torque it has at its disposal. Like the petrol, it can be specified with manual or automatic transmission.

"The Saab 9-3 has always been a handsome customer and the 9-3X builds on those good looks with aggressive 4x4-style appendages"

Saab's XWD isn't your run of the mill 4x4 system. Its active 4x4 technology continuously distributes the available drive between the front and rear axles using the electronic TTD Torque Transfer Device, while the eLSD rear limited-slip differential performs the same distribution role between the two rear wheels. This clever apportioning of drive means that XWD doesn't rely on detecting front wheel slip before sending power aft. In many cases, it can pre-emptively redirect the engine's output to the rear before slip actually occurs. Using data from the ABS and ESP stability control sensors, the electronics can also redirect drive to counteract understeer or oversteer, adding further to the composure of the 9-3X on the road.

What the 9-3X boils down to is a 9-3 Sport Wagon estate with raised ride height and extra body protection to make it more useful for customers who use unmade roads or dirt tracks. It also looks a little more rugged to attract those who may have been considering an SUV for cosmetic reasons. On the XWD versions, the suspension is 35mm higher than a standard Sport Wagon and the front-wheel drive models ride 20mm higher. Both cars feature bumpers, side sills and wheelarch extensions with a dark grey textured finish and matt aluminium skid plates front and rear. Despite its age, the Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon remains one of the prettier compact executive estates and those sharky looks translate well to the 9-3X. The chrome-ringed fog lights, aluminium door strips and roof-rails also raise the exterior look a few notches but it's doubtful whether the sports seats and metallic finishes on the 9-3X will be enough to mask the quality shortcomings of the 9-3 cabin.

The highlight of the interior is the load area where there's 419-litres of space with the rear seats up and 1,287-litres with them folded. Saab is keen to underline the suitability of the 9-3X for outdoor activities and the ski hatch in the centre of the 60/40 split rear bench ties in with that theme. There's also a plastic floor plate that protects the bumper when loading and the TwinFloor stowage system which helps keep the contents of the boot tidy.

All models also come with high levels of equipment, including leather & textile sport seats, heated front seats, cruise control, 9-speaker audio system with MP3 compatibility, sport leather steering wheel, dual-zone electronic climate control, car computer, matt chrome roofrails and 17" alloy wheels.

Saab is positioning the 9-3X as an alternative to a full-blown compact SUV but it's by no means the only manufacturer with a product adopting this approach. Audi's A4 Allroad and Volvo's XC70 are notable direct rivals, while Skoda's Octavia 4x4 presents a more affordable option. The marketing spiel proudly announces that the 9-3X targets, "independent minded people who enjoy life, culture, outdoors, sports and family", which covers the majority of the UK population above school-leaving age. Saab is setting its sights high with this one.

The diesel engine in particular should provide a reasonably affordable ownership experience for 9-3X customers. Strong economy of 51mpg and emissions of 144g/km will contribute to lowering costs but Saab models don't enjoy the strong residual values of their German rivals and this will count in the minus column. The petrol models manage 199g/km CO2 emissions and 34mpg while the automatic gearbox has a seriously detrimental effect on the emissions and economy of both engines.

The Saab 9-3 has always been a handsome customer and the 9-3X builds on those good looks with aggressive 4x4-style appendages that do much to increase the car's road presence. They also provide added protection for the bodywork under light off-road use where the raised ride height and Saab's clever XWD 4x4 system also come into play. As an alternative to a compact SUV, the 9-3X looks to deliver a more car-like experience while retaining all the capability that most buyers will ever need.

There's no escaping the fact that the 9-3 is an aging platform but the 9-3X makes good use of Saab's best engine and transmission technology, dressing it all up in a visually appealing package. In the short term, it should achieve its dual aims of raising the brand's profile and increasing sales. In the longer term, the Saab range needs surgery on a far wider scale to keep pace with the competition.