Remembering the Last SAAB 9-5 – A Fitting Tribute to Sweden

Just over 12 years ago, I stepped across the threshold of the delectable SAAB 9-5. A hangover from SAAB’s GM ownership, the 9-5’s stunning looks were built upon the same platform used on the Opel’s fabulous Insignia, and Holden/GM’s appalling Malibu.

GM had a way of using heavy-handed tactics in their subsidiaries that was the ruination of many. Both SAAB and Holden are now defunct, not because they were rubbish, but because GM imposed terrible designs and inferior standards. GM made questionable business decisions with which the wholly owned Australian Holden had no choice but to obey.

SAAB on the other hand, managed to infuse Swedish brilliance into everything they touched.

The first generation 9-5 hung about for far too long, but the 2009 model was to be the sunrise of the new golden era for SAAB. Instead, it signalled stormy seas ahead for the good ship SAAB. The financial tsunamis that pummelled GM’s finances took the cash-strapped sub-brands with it.

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ABOVE: SAAB 9-5 and SAAB 92

Although Ford and Chrysler had the same seas to cross, Ford divested itself of the underperforming luxury brands Aston Martin, Jaguar Land Rover and Volvo.

In the spirit of keeping the brands alive, Ford was happy to  bundle Volvo’s current and future technology with the sale, even though it was to Chinese giant, Geely. Chrysler on the other hand, went through dance partners like drunk teens at a school formal. First, a samba with Mercedes, forming Daimler Chrysler. But, Chrysler continued to be dogged by bad footwork and the partnership dissolved. Next on the dance card was a rumba with Fiat, but putting dancers together who only have left feet was bound to cause sore toes. The ailing Fiat Chrysler formed a two-some with Peugeot Citroën to become Stellantis.

2025 UPDATE: Not a single one of the Stellantis brands is currently doing well, and with the

GM sailed the world in search of a new owner for SAAB, but the adored brand was heading straight for the rocks. Within months of the slinky 9-5’s birth, SAAB was dead. The Swedish brand was known for innovation and mechanical wizardry, and like Volvo, was a master of safety.

The ancient SAAB 9-3 was the last of a long line of smaller SAAB models, with the 9000/9-5 always being a bit of a tag-along range. Perhaps it was the shared platform, perhaps it was that some didn’t consider it a true SAAB, but for whatever reason it was a bit of an orphan.

By the end of its run, SAAB itself could not sustain its own innovation.

Around 60 of the last generation 9-5 models were sold in Australia, and I reviewed the 9-5 V6 turbo AXD, and it was a peach. We took a walk through the history of SAAB here starting with the SAAB 92, and lamented the great Swedish carmaker.

SAAB is not alone in its demise, but few brands innovated with every step. Volvo comes close, so perhaps it is something to do with those long Scandi winters.

The last 9-5 was stupidly expensive in Australia, with the final price of the top model just under a hundred grand. The stratospheric sum could also have bought a better equipped Audi, BMW, Jaguar or Mercedes-Benz, but they wouldn’t have been as cool.

During our review, we loved the handsome 9-5 looks, and the luxurious cabin wrapped lusciously around those inside.

In short, the drive was typically SAAB, snappy and urgent. The cabin, comfortable and cosy, replete with the innate Scandi-chic ambience. Controls may have had commonality with humble American cars, but the Swedes used them with panache.

From memory, there was no Bluetooth connection for phones, and the dash was strewn with button after button. It was the era of a button for every occasion, but we loved her totally. Although still fairly well equipped, other less expensive brands had more gear.

Much of the brilliance was under the skin, and like all Swedish cars, the obsession with safety was thinking way ahead of its time.

Some might argue that even with the advances of modern motoring, the last SAAB 9-5 symbolised the dying embers of American greed, a greed that sapps the life-blood from everything its filthy tentacles touch. Many rescue boats were sent after SAAB, but GM refused to sell the technology, even that developed solely by SAAB. A Chinese buyer snapped up Volvo and would probably have saved SAAB if only Americans weren’t quite so paranoid. Perhaps McCarthyism isn’t dead after all.

Despite GM’s fumbled and misguided obsession with control, the 2009-2011 SAAB 9-5 remains planted in the GayCarBoys Hall of Fame.

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