It’s easy to dismiss cars like the Saab 9-3X; after all, they’re just standard cars with jacked up suspension and a slightly rugged look. But scratch beneath the surface and there’s much to recommend them.

Owners looking for a capable tow car with the occasional need to drive across a field will find much to like in this small, but growing, niche. Not everyone wants a full or even mid-size SUV, after all.

The Saab 9-3X is the Swedish car maker’s first stab at such a car. It’s based on the proven 9-3 Sport Wagon estate and features Saab’s XWD – cross wheel drive – system.

Like other cars in its class, the suspension has been raised for additional ground clearance, in this case by 35mm, which Saab says allows some mild off-road driving without impacting the on-road driving dynamics; but more on that later.

Rugged off-road look

The front and rear bumpers and side skirts are dark grey with a grained finish, and the wheelarches are edged by the same material to protect the paintwork from errant stones. There are also aluminium skid panels front and rear with door strips and roof rails to match.

Inside the interior will be familiar to Saab 9-3 drivers, with a solid, functional cabin and well laid-out controls. The 9-3X comes with a bespoke dark grey metallic finishes and grey fabric inserts in the leather upholstery.

Saab says cars like this appeal to people with ‘active’ lifestyles, so it’s useful the boot is a usefully large 419 litres (raising to 1,287 litres) with a low, intrusion-free floor. There’s an additional storage area under the boot floor and there are plenty of spaces around the cabin to carry items in.

Saab offers two engines in the 9-3X; a 1.9-litre diesel and a 2-litre petrol. Both are turbocharged, something which Saab is famous for and provide sufficient punch.

Efficient diesel engine

The 1.9-litre diesel’s reduced running costs (its 144g/km betters the petrol’s 207g/km and it’ll cover 51.4mpg against the petrol’s 34.9mpg) is likely to appeal to the bulk of 9-3X buyers, however its far from the most refined diesel engine on the market. Its 180bhp and 295lb/ft of pulling power is good for an 8.3 second 0-62mph dash and a 137mph maximum.

The more pleasant petrol engine delivers 210bhp and 221lb/ft of pulling power which produces an 8.2 second dash to 62mph and a top speed of 143mph.

A six speed manual and an automatic transmission are available with both engines, but there is a significant CO2 penalty to pay – the diesel’s emissions rise from 144g/km to 182g/km, while the petrol rises from 207 to 242g/km.

Clever all-wheel drive system

Saab’s XWD system distributes torque between the front and rear axles for maximum traction and stability. It pre-emptively engages the rear wheels eliminating the need to detect front wheelspin before the rears come into play. It also has a Torque Transfer Device, which transfers torque front and rear via a clutch – the more it slips, the less power is send rearwards. There’s a limited-slip differential at the rear which distributes torque between the rear wheels.

We only tested the Saab 9-3X on dry roads, so it’s difficult to tell how it’ll perform in more slippery conditions, but there’s certainly plenty of grip.

The steering is more vague and less direct than the standard Saab 9-3 Sport Wagon and there is lots of body roll. Enthusiastic drivers would be better served by the Audi A4 Allroad or in this respect, although the Audi can’t compete with the Saab on price – it’s around £5,000 dearer.

There’s plenty to recommend the Saab 9-3X, not least price, handsome looks and practicality, but enthusiastic drivers may feel their itch has not been scratched. It is certainly enough of a car to placate the need for a larger SUV however.

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