SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Saab's 9-3 Sportwagon brings a welcome dash of style to the executive estate sector. Andy Enright takes a look.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Good looks and big practicality make the Saab 9-3 SportWagon a desirable choice for compact executive buyers looking for some extra space in the rear. Technologically, the Saab still trails the top German models but in terms of everyday usability, it has a lot going for it.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

I had to read the press release again just to make sure I'd got it right. "The Sportwagon comes with a Twin Floor Storage facility. By pulling a chrome, aircraft-shaped handle, the main boot floor can be folded and relocated for access to a recessed sub-floor." This instantly gave rise to the intriguing question of just what shape is an aircraft? Was this boot floor handle a delicate chromed Vickers Vimy biplane that popped up or could it be a sleek Saab Gripen? The straight wings and chunky stub ordnance hardpoints of a Northrop A-10 Tankbuster would be a whole lot easier to grasp. Unfortunately, the truth was a little more prosaic and aircraft-style would probably have been somewhat nearer the mark. That's about all that does give serious cause for disappointment about the 9-3 Sportwagon.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Like most Saabs, this 9-3 campaigns on the basis of bhp per Pound, its predominantly turbocharged engine line-up effectively blitzing anything from the established rivals at any given price point. Five petrol engines and three diesels are offered with the 9-3 SportWagon, kicking off with a 122bhp 1.8-litre, then progressing to a 150bhp 1.8t unit, moving on to an all-aluminium 175bhp 2.0t engine, with an upper case 2.0T denoting the 210bhp version. The big buzz is the 280bhp turbocharged 2.8-litre V6 petrol engine which really flies. The 1.9-litre TiD common rail diesel engines offered in 120 or 150bhp form are both Euro 4-compliant and both are mated to 6-speed manual gearboxes. The range-topping diesel is also a 1.9-litre unit but the TTiD uses a two stage turbocharger for a more progressive power delivery of its 180bhp. The only other option is the intriguing 2.0t Biopower engine which has 200bhp and can run on renewable E85 Bioethanol as well as unleaded.

The first Saab model to offer zero lift over both axles, the 9-3 SportWagon isn't just a pretty shape. Although some may question the fitment of the integrated rooftop spoiler, it does serve a function, preventing unwelcome vortices at the back of the car, helping high speed stability and contributing to the car's creditable 0.33Cd drag figure. Whereas many hatchbacked cars are a good deal less rigid than their booted equivalents, the 9-3 Sportwagon generates the same 21,000Nm/degree torsional rigidity figure as its saloon siblings. What this means in practice is that the suspension and ReAxs rear wheel steering system can work to the best of their abilities without having to take into account deformation of the chassis during hard cornering.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Like the Sport Saloon and Convertible models, the Wagon is one of the best-looking cars in its class, the tight overhangs and chunky proportioning giving it a real presence and the latest models also feature the clamshell bonnet with all external rubbing strips removed to give a cleaner look. Unlike many vehicles that campaign in this class, the Saab offers some serious carrying capacity. There's 419 litres available with the rear seats in place and a whopping 1,273 litres of space available with the seats folded down. The recessed sub floor allows valuables to be stowed out of the view of prying eyes and can also be used to store wet or dirty gear without muddying everything else up. Despite its sporting looks, the rear hatch is actually fairly steeply raked, allowing for additional carrying capacity. This is where rivals such as the Alfa 159 Sportwagon and BMW's 3-Series Touring fall down, favouring style over practicality. Saab aims to offer both.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

The range begins at around £20,000 with the 1.8i Airflow SportWagon variant and tops out with the Turbo X 2.8 V6. These prices show that while Saab claims to be mixing it with the big boys, it has remained solidly pragmatic when it judges exactly what the market will bear. Five trim levels are available. As well as the basic Airflow version, there are the more familiar Linear SE and Vector Sport variants plus the Aero and the all-wheel drive Turbo X. Even the base Airflow variant is classily appointed with cruise control, a trip computer, dual-zone climate control, tinted windows and a punchy Saab audio system as standard.

With a backlash forming against the dowdy driving characteristics of many 4x4 and MPV-style vehicles, premium mid-sized estates have seen an increase in popularity in recent years and Saab hope to capitalise upon a market that demographics suggest is often younger and more affluent than the traditional saloon and hatchback sectors. What's more, diesel engines - a growing area of Saab expertise - account for most of the estate sector's sales.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Saab tends to score reasonably well in terms of cost of ownership with decent if not spectacular residuals and low insurance ratings for the amount of brake horsepower available. The 9-3 is no exception. Perhaps the most interesting models in the range are the BioPower cars. Saab's Trionic engine management system automatically detects whether you're running on bioethanol or unleaded petrol, or indeed any conceivable mix of the two, and adjusts the car's ignition for optimum efficiency.

Ethanol has a much higher octane rating (about 115) than ordinary petrol, so you go quicker and it also burns more efficiently. Saab estimate a 20 per cent gain in brake horsepower and a 16 per cent boost to torque. The 9-3 BioPower uses an 85 per cent ethanol, 15 per cent petroleum mix. Therefore the fuel isn't from a totally renewable source, but it represents a good start and 90 per cent of all 9-3s sold in Sweden run on E85. Those amongst you who paid attention in chemistry classes will know that the net products of ethanol combustion are carbon dioxide and water. So where's the environmental benefit? Aside from being able to replenish the fuel stocks, the plants harvested to create the ethanol consume more carbon dioxide in their growth cycle than the resultant fuel will emit when burnt, meaning a net depletion of CO2. Now that is clever.

SAAB 9-3 SALOON 1.8T VECTOR SPORT 4DR

Although there are some very well established rivals in the compact executive estate class, they will look nervously over their shoulders as the 9-3 Sportwagon hoves into view. With the usual aggressive Saab pricing retaining the marque's usual excellent horsepower per pound factor, the Swedes could well be onto a winner.

Smart load carrying features, a usefully proportioned cargo area and unsullied driving dynamics of the Saab 9-3 SportWagon make a very attractive combination for those looking for something suitably lifestyle with an esteemed badge on the bonnet and the 9-3 Sportwagon deserves to command a sizeable piece of that action.