Upon final analysis, I feel the burning need to ask the question: who
will buy it? To rephrase, now that GM has a traditional European premium badge adorning its universal midsize SUV, what's it going to do with it? It's got the looks to match any rival in the class, although it doesn't break any new ground; and the truck that lies beneath lives up to the badge on the hood with smooth power, sporty handling and a comfortable interior.
Sadly, as much as I enjoyed driving and living with this SUV, the idea of a conventional sport 'ute doesn't really mesh with the idea of what a Saab should be, and I'm not even a Saab owner or afficianado. Perhaps they should look to Subaru for inspiration, as they looked to them for a platform (the recent 9-2x is based on the Subaru Impreza chassis and mechanicals) when they were in league with GM. Of course, now that GM sold its Subaru shares to Toyota, in a round-about way, the likelihood of a new Saab being based on the B9 Tribeca is unlikely to say the least. No, Saab would be best off with a Cadillac SRX-based 9-7X, or maybe something derived from the upcoming rear-drive mid- to full-size chassis architecture. Such a vehicle, that would follow the same pattern as set out with the Saab 9-3 and Euro-only Cadillac BLS, might be appealing to Europeans too; a jurisdiction which, incidentally, snubbed the North American-only 9-7X.
Nevertheless, Saab
loyalists have lived on small and midsized sporty sedans or hatchbacks since the brand first traded in their wings for wheels. GM truck shoppers won't often stray to Saab-Saturn dealers (it takes a special sort) and it's unlikely any embattled Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealers will point their shoppers away from their Rainiers or Denalis down the road to give the Swedish brand a lift. Therefore, the 9-7X may find itself wallowing in a dead zone. Does the Swedish brand need something more distinctive, more original and perhaps even more controversial to attract a crowd, if that's what they want to do?
Somehow, it would seem more fitting if GM let Saab continue to stand apart from the crowd instead of trying to feed oddball Swede more clones from their vast global arsenal. A lesson from Ford and Volvo seems appropriate.
Specifications: (9-7X 5.3i V8)
 |
| Once you've folded everything flat, the 9-7X is a veritable cargo hauler. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Sadly, as much as I enjoyed driving and living with this SUV, the idea of a conventional sport 'ute doesn't really mesh with the idea of what a Saab should be, and I'm not even a Saab owner or afficianado. Perhaps they should look to Subaru for inspiration, as they looked to them for a platform (the recent 9-2x is based on the Subaru Impreza chassis and mechanicals) when they were in league with GM. Of course, now that GM sold its Subaru shares to Toyota, in a round-about way, the likelihood of a new Saab being based on the B9 Tribeca is unlikely to say the least. No, Saab would be best off with a Cadillac SRX-based 9-7X, or maybe something derived from the upcoming rear-drive mid- to full-size chassis architecture. Such a vehicle, that would follow the same pattern as set out with the Saab 9-3 and Euro-only Cadillac BLS, might be appealing to Europeans too; a jurisdiction which, incidentally, snubbed the North American-only 9-7X.
Nevertheless, Saab
 |
| The Saab 9-7x is more average than most Saab buyers. Not that that's a bad thing, though. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press) |
Somehow, it would seem more fitting if GM let Saab continue to stand apart from the crowd instead of trying to feed oddball Swede more clones from their vast global arsenal. A lesson from Ford and Volvo seems appropriate.
Specifications: (9-7X 5.3i V8)
- Base Price (MSRP): $53,400 (4.2i I-6 starts at $50,900)
- Price as tested: $56,170
- Type: 4-door, 5-passenger SUV
- Layout: front engine, body on frame construction, all-wheel drive
- Engine: 300-hp, 330 lb.ft of torque, 5.3L V8 OHV 16-valve
- Transmission: 4-spd automatic
- Brakes: 4-wheel disc, ABS
- Safety: Driver Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbags, Side Curtains, Traction Control, Stability Control
- Fuel consumption (city/highway): 15.4 / 10.2 L/100 km
- Dimensions (L/W/H/WB): 4,807 / 1,915 / 1,740 / 2,870 mm (189 / 75 / 69 / 113 in)
- Curbweight: 2,179 kg (4,803 lbs)
- Trunk Size: 1,127 L (39.8 cu. ft.)
- Maximum Trunk Size: 2,268 L (80 cu-ft)
- Towing Capacity: 2,495 kg (5,500 lbs)
- Warranty (mo/km): 48 / 80,000 comprehensive
- Direct Competitors: Acura MDX, BMW X5, Buick Rainier, Chevy Trailblazer, GMC Envoy Denali, Infiniti FX45, Land Rover LR3/Range Rover Sport, Lexus GX 470, Mercedes ML500, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Volvo XC90 V8
- Website: www.saab.gmcanada.com
Article Gallery