The all-new Saab 9-5 is the car which marks the rebirth of the Swedish company. With new owners, it’s a business brimming with confidence; something that shows with the big executive car’s impressive style and presence.

In a market dominated by Audi and BMW, the new Saab 9-5 has its work cut out to succeed, but the company says it will find favour with buyers looking for an executive car that’s a little quirky.

It’s bold new looks certainly cut a dash. Bigger than the previous 9-5, the new car retains the sleek, elegant, aircraft-inspired looks, but the huge grille and rear light strip which runs the length of the bootlid mark it out as something very different.

The new 9-5’s cabin is immediately identifiable as a Saab design, with a swooping dash that cocoons the driver and the company’s trademark green dials and instrument-dimming ‘Night Panel’ button.

There’s a huge amount of interior space too, with the new Saab 9-5 offering ample space for front, and masses of legroom for two rear passengers. In fact, the only letdowns are the rear windscreen pillars, which restrict sideways visibility for rear seat occupants and an uncomfortable centre seat. A 515 litre boot houses a clever U-shaped bar to stop luggage sliding around too.

Equipment levels are good, with the Saab 9-5 debuting some new-to-the-company technology, including a fighter jet-inspired head-up display which beams information on speed, navigation and primary controls onto the windscreen in front of the driver. Other kit available includes an excellent Harman/Kardon infotainment system comprising of hard disc based audio, navigation and DVD player with 5.1 surround sound.

Superb sound system

A quick demonstration reveals the system, which includes two rear screens, to be one of the best on the market with superb sound and image quality, meaning it’s likely to be a popular option, despite its £2,500 price.

We tested the 220bhp 2-litre petrol engine with Saab’s XWD four-wheel drive system, which sits alongside a 160bhp diesel and 300bhp V6 petrol, and found it to be a refined performer, offering a reasonable turn of speed. Mated to a good six-speed automatic, 0-62 mph takes 8.8 seconds, but such is the smooth delivery and refinement the driver rarely feels the impressive performance. Front-wheel drive, and manual versions are faster.

CO2 emissions vary between 194 to 228g/km, depending on the chassis and gearbox chosen; similarly fuel consumption is listed between 28.5 to 33.6mpg.

Diesel appeals to UK buyers

We also tested the 2-litre diesel, which will be the most popular engine among UK buyers. It develops 160bhp and 258lb/ft of pulling power, making it a superb cruiser. It is a refined unit at speed, but a little rough a tickover and under heavy acceleration. It will reach 62mph in ten seconds before hitting around 130mph.

But it’s the running costs which will attract buyers. Emissions of 139g/km are among the lowest in its class for the power output offered, but this increases to 179g/km should the automatic be specified, increasing road tax considerably. Saab quotes 53.2mpg for the manual and 41.5mpg for the auto.

Saab 9-5 gallery:

Powerful range-topping V6

Topping the range is the 155mph 2.8-litre V6, which will blast to 60mph in less than seven seconds. Objectively it’s the best engine in the line-up, but emissions of 244g/km and fuel consumption in the mid-twenties will severely limit appeal.

We tested this engine on a test track, and found its four-wheel drive system to be superbly grippy, and the adaptive chassis system – which Saab calls Drivesense – keeps things in check in its sport mode, which firms the suspension and steering and provides a power bias to the rear at speed. It is only then the electronic differential feels as though it comes into play, providing extra stability at speed.

It’s not a five-seat sports car in the vein of a BMW 5 Series, but with nicely weighted, if a little vague steering, it’s still capable of entertaining.

Despite high performance, the Saab 9-5 is a very comfortable cruiser; particularly on 17-inch wheels – higher spec models have 19s, which makes the ride more choppy. There’s limited road noise, although we detected some wind noise through the front side windows.

Safety as standard

Saab says the new 9-5 is the safest car the company has ever built, gaining a full five star EuroNCAP crash test rating in the process. It counts Saab’s latest generation active head restraints as standard for the front seats, with driver and front passenger, front side and side curtain airbags, among the standard kit.

General equipment levels are generous too, with the Vector SE coming with six-way adjustable driver’s seat, MP3-compatible CD player, 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights and mirrors, park sensors and passenger airbag deactivation switch as standard. The Aero model adds alloy trims, electric front seats, leather trim, 19-inch alloys, bespoke bodystyling and headlamp washers.

The Saab 9-5 is priced as a premium product. Starting at £25,000, rising to £38,000, the 9-5 isn’t cheap, but it undercuts the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes E Class by several thousand pounds. And that coupled with the diesel engine’s 139g/km CO2 rating should make it an attractive choice.

The new Saab 9-5 is a tremendous statement of intent for the Swedish manufacturer. With bold styling, good driving dynamics, huge comfort levels and impressive space, it does what a good premium executive car should. It might lack the ultimate dynamic thrills of a BMW 5 Series, but its charms are more subtle than that, and makes an excellent, slightly leftfield choice.

Key facts:

Model tested: Saab 9-5 2.0T Aero XWD automatic
On the road price: £31,195
Price range: £25,495 – £37,795
Date tested: June 2010
Road tester: Stuart Milne

Manufacturer footage: