Introduction

Saab 9-7X – 2006 First Drive: Pulitzer Prize winner and noted New York Times columnist Thomas L. Friedman claims in his latest book that the world has gone flat, and after listening to Saab executives say Bonjour et Bienvenue to their new Swedish SUV built on an American truck platform in a Moraine, Ohio, assembly plant it was easy to see globalism at work. Saab was speaking to a small cadre of journalists assembled for the maiden media drive of the 2006 9-7X sport-utility in the province of Quebec, a charming, craggy land boasting unpolluted air and pure waters that is not much different from Saab’s homeland of Sweden. Plus, Quebec City is often considered the most European city on the North American continent, a fitting backdrop to our test drive since Saab is General Motors’ solo premium European brand.

What we came to see, however, was something far beyond the beautiful Canadian landscape. We came to see whether this proud Swedish marque could take GM’s four-year-old, mid-size SUV platform and wave its engineering wand to build an authentic Saab. Or if the 9-7X is simply just a tall, boxy, badge-engineered Buick dancing down the highway in a country that still loves sport utes.

During our 250-mile ride and drive, we ferreted out a few answers. Saab’s first SUV is now in production, endowed with sheetmetal and interior trim that are distinctively Saab. Its driver-oriented handling and level of safety equipment is up to par with most Saabs, which until recently were built exclusively in Sweden. But, there’s nothing Swedish about the sound that comes from the 9-7X’s powertrain. It's an everyday American tune that plays out with some harshness, and therein lays the rub.

Model Mix

The 2006 Saab 9-7X arrives in two strengths, both equipped with standard all-wheel drive. Base models, priced at approximately $40,000, arrive with standard automatic climate control, leather-trimmed seats, eight-way power front seats with heaters, OnStar telematics, 18-inch wheels and tires, and front fog lamps. A 275-watt Bose audio system wired for XM satellite radio also comes standard, including a six-disc in-dash CD changer. Safety equipment includes side-curtain airbags, stability control, and OnStar telematics with a one-year Safe and Sound subscription that will send rescue personnel to your location in the event of an accident. The base engine is a 4.2-liter inline-six-cylinder yielding 290 horsepower and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. One of GM’s favorites, the four-speed Hydra-Matic automatic transmission, adequately handles shifting duties, though five- and six-speed automatics are becoming the norm in the luxury ‘ute class.

Pricier V8 models, starting at approximately $42,000, add a 5.3-liter Vortec V8 delivering 300 horsepower and 330 lb.-ft. of torque. This engine is equipped with displacement on demand, technology that shuts down four of the motor’s eight cylinders under low power loads, accounting for up to a five percent fuel savings when compared to similar engines. Saab also changed the wheel design on V8 models and added power adjustable pedals, xenon high-intensity discharge headlights and headlight washers. Options for both models include a power moonroof and a rear DVD entertainment system, although the two cannot be ordered together, which is sure to be frustrating to luxury SUV buyers.

Of note, a small number of 2005 Saab 9-7X models have been built and shipped to dealers. Unlike the 2006 versions, these are marketed under the designators of Linear for the six-cylinder models and Arc to represent V8s. The 2005 Saab 9-7X Linear makes less power and torque than the 2006 model, and the 9-7X Arc lacks the fuel-saving displacement on demand feature. Neither of the 2005 versions have a standard stability control system. To mark the upgrades for 2006, the models will be called Saab 9-7X and 9-7X V8.