Review of the new Saab 9-5 Aero 2.8T XWD

Saab's latest 9-5 aims to propel the Swedish brand back into the executive car mainstream. It's bigger than its immediate rivals and boasts smooth, potent Turbo engines, a wide range of suspension options, an excellent XWD 4x4 system and some desirable high tech features, nearly all offered on this top 2.8T V6 Aero model. Overall, an interesting and highly individual alternative to the usual executive contenders.

It's hard to think of a car more important to its brand than this one. Saab's second generation 9-5 must be a sales success - that's a given - but just as importantly, it must restore to its Swedish maker that individuality that once characterised this unique marque. A tough task, you might think, given this car's development under previous Saab owners General Motors, the very people often accused of watering down the brand it must rescue. But not an impossible one. Up to 70% of its parts after all, are uniquely Swedish, making this the most purely-conceived Saab since the 9000 model was launched back in 1985. This car really couldn't have arrived at a better time.

Since January 2010, the company has been back in independent ownership, the way Saab should be, having been purchased by Dutch sportscar maker Spyker for a very affordable $74 million - or as new owner Victor Muller put it, 'less than the price of a new wind tunnel'. Not bad considering that the Trollhattan factory has been re-developed, an unaffected and enthusiastic dealer network remains in place and there's still a technology-share agreement with General Motors. Plus there's plenty left in Spyker's reserves for much-needed model range development that begins with this car, a model offering luxury saloon space and values for far more affordable executive saloon prices. It's a different car from a very different company relying on management buyers prepared to take a different approach. Here, we're putting the top 2.8T XWD model to the test.

At its heart, 'Saab-ishness' should always be technology-driven with its own individual twist. This 2.8T Aero model has everything the Swedish engineers could think of in that respect, including Saab's acclaimed XWD all-wheel-drive system. Buyers of this top variant get a far more sophisticated suspension system than is offered to customers of humbler 9-5 models and one that really ought to be standard across the range. At the front, it uses what Saab call 'HiPer struts' that reduce torquesteer (that writhing feeling cruder performance cars give you through the wheel under heavy acceleration), while at the rear there's an equally advanced multi-link set-up that delivers a supple, compliant ride.

"Very stylish. Very different. And very Saab.."

It's all enough to make this car a tremendously sure-footed thing. The electronic stability systems are especially good, as you'd expect given that Saab invented the double-swerve elk test after their Group Managing Director was killed by one. It's the kind of executive saloon you'd kill for at the end of a long week with the night rain pouring down and 250 miles to drive.

You'll be even better placed if you've specified your car with Saab's clever DriveSense active damping system which, as well as sharpening or softening the ride, can via 'Sport', 'Comfort' or 'Intelligent' settings, adjust the steering weight, engine response and, with AWD, even tweak the way that torque is distributed between front and rear axles.

If a Saab becomes nothing more than a slightly different take on a rival BMW, Audi or Mercedes, it can never succeed. It must be more than that - and this 9-5 is. The style is like nothing else, the look futuristic and clean, and almost everyone you meet will have an opinion on it. Most striking is the way that the A and B pillars have been blacked out to create a wraparound effect for the glasshouse in the style of an aircraft cockpit. That and the way that the roofline tapers down gently at the rear, suggesting a hatchback on what is actually a four-door saloon.

And it's big. The shape disguises that, so I'd better give you some idea of what I mean: at over five metres long, this is a full 15cms longer than a Mercedes E-Class. That's nearly enough to take it out of the E-Class and BMW 5 Series-dominated Executive sector altogether and put it into larger Mercedes S-Class luxury saloon territory. You won't be surprised then to learn that rear seat space is simply enormous. Once you've negotiated your way in - the sides of the roof curve down quite a way before the door openings start, so you've to stoop a little on entry and exit - there really is proper room for three adults to sit alongside each other. No other sub-£50,000 car offers more passenger space than this. And not many can match this saloon's 515-litre boot, which also features bag carrying hooks and an umbrella holder.

9-5 pricing pitches the car directly against its German rivals, starting at just under £30,000 and ranging up to just under £40,000 for this 2.8T Aero XWD. Whichever 9-5 model you choose, it should come decently equipped, though it has to be said that the style and technology that really creates the 'Saab-ishness' of this car is mainly found in the pricier all-wheel drive models. Still, all do come with part-leather upholstery on 6-way adjustable electric seats, alloy wheels, cruise control, a decent quality 9-speaker stereo, front and rear parking sensors, Bluetooth compatibility for your 'phone as well as all the usual provisions you'd expect on an expensive executive car. Safetywise, there's a full complement of airbags, a very effective stability control system and anti-whiplash head restraints.

The 9-5 engine options give it a fuel economy spread that ranges from the 53mpg that the 2.0-litre diesel returns on the combined cycle to the 24.8mpg that this 2.8-litre V6 manages. At least the XWD 4x4 system doesn't really confer any major economy penalties. CO2 returns vary between 139 and 159g/km for the diesels but this V6 Turbo6 petrol variant is up at 244g/km. Depreciation is a bit unknown at this point and though it won't be quite up to the standard of German rivals, rarity value should help as should the fact that you'll probably be able to negotiate a more affordable upfront price to start with. There's the usual three year/60,000 mile warranty.

It is perhaps ironic that the first really individual, unique Saab produced under General Motors ownership will be one GM will never profit from. On the other hand, it's rather fitting that a new era in which the brand will depend precisely upon those qualities for survival begins with this car. It challenges convention, as every Saab should, both in the way it looks and in its provision of Audi A8 or Mercedes S-Class Luxury saloon cabin space at Audi A6 or Mercedes E-Class Executive saloon prices.

It isn't perfect but that target will be a lot closer when Saab get around to offering the technical niceties of pricier models right across the range. Overall, success for this car doesn't lie in out-selling its German rivals. That won't happen and, in any case, its appeal would be diminished if it did. Instead, this 9-5 will be measured by the way it re-establishes Saab's brand values - makes it once again an appealing, go-your-own-way choice. Good then, that this is exactly the kind of car it is. Very stylish. Very different. And very Saab.