What is it? A variation of the 9-3 SportCombi wagon, the new 9-3X has a more adventurous, crossover flair, much like the Subaru Outback is a raised wagon version of the Subaru Legacy. Compared against the 9-3 SportCombi, the 9-3X has an inch and a half more road clearance. For personality and function, the exterior has grained plastic trim pieces on its lower quarters and wheel arches to fend off mud, stones, and gravel. Seventeen-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels are standard.
It will arrive to market with a 210-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, mated to either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. In our tests we've found that engine relatively powerful and quiet. The interior is pleasant enough, nicely finished and with Saabs typically quirky control layout, but it's a bit cramped.
The 9-3X is built in Sweden. Pricing has not been announced, but we'd estimate a sticker in the $40,000 neighborhood.
What is new or notable? The all-wheel-drive system constantly monitors and shifts torque between the front and rear axles as needed to maintain maximum grip. An electronically controlled limited-slip differential at the rear apportions power to the wheel with more traction. The front passenger seatback can fold flat to accommodate cargo items up to eight feet long.
CR's take: Saab and parent General Motors ballyhoo the drive system, XWD or cross wheel drive, but it's hard to see how it functionally differs from a taken-for-granted Subaru system. With strong competition from the more comfortable Subaru Outback and terrifically agile Audi A4 wagon, the Saab 9-3X may be a tough sell.
