Saab 9-5: executive saloon rival to Audi A6

Saab 9-5 Saloon 2.0 TiD Vector SE

What is it?

OVERDUE replacement for the old Saab 9-5 and first model from the ‘new’, post-GM Saab under new owners Spyker. Priced from £26,495.

What’s hot?

• Slick external looks and first rate build quality
• Limousine space for rear seat passengers
• Much improved CO2 of 139g/km for this model (manual)
• Extremely competent chassis and suspension set-up: fun
• Generous levels of kit include Bluetooth and iPod as standard
• Fold flat seats make for huge practicality and payload
• Combined fuel economy of 53mpg
• Renewed ‘aviation’ emphasis, lovely green-lit dials
• A big car that doesn’t feel big on the road
• Costs £394 less per year in P11D tax than Audi A6 SE 2.0 TDi

What’s not?

• Dark cockpit marred by some dreadfully cheap plastics
• Glove box obstructed by fuse box, irritating to use
• Uncertainty over residual values

What you need to Know?

P11D Value:	26,330
Monthly Rental*:	369 (CH)/£434 (PCH)
Tax Band when posted:	19%, 20%, 21%
Monthly BiK:	Click link for BIK
Engine:	2 litre turbo diesel
CO2 Emissions:	139g/km
Power/torque:	160PS/350Nm
Economy:	53.3mpg

Monthly contract hire (CH) and personal contract hire (PCH) rentals generated by Concept Vehicle Leasing. Based on a 36 month lease at 10,000 miles a year, 3+35 payments.

Business Car Manager Road Test Rating

An elegant, long car that almost smacks of a bit of Jaguar, the 9-5 is the miracle phoenix that has risen from the ashes of the stricken GM-controlled company of last year. While new owners Spyker disentangle themselves from GM, they’ve wasted no time in transforming the 9-5.

Doing away with a base, ‘S’ model, the model tested here is the entry to a range that tops out with a tax and fuel heavy 300bhp stormer, the Aero 2.8T XWD. But the great news is that despite being faster on paper, the top model is weighed down by 4×4 running gear and limited to auto-only transmission. It’s less engaging than the lighter 2.0 TiD tested here, which can be driven with alacrity.

The real revelation is the Ford-Focus level handling and supple but precise chassis mated to a decent manual gearbox. Meanwhile the brakes are superb and interior space and equipment generous to a tee. It’s just a shame that the cabin remains so GM: a cliff of black plastics, some of them woefully below class for a vehicle whose benchmark is the Audi A6. But that wouldn’t put us off.