The Saab 9-3 handles impressively well, with a nicely balanced neutral feel. The steering is a little light, but not enough to detract from the fun-to-drive factor. Passive rear-wheel steering in the rear suspension keeps the rear tires following the front ones in quick lane changes and through rapid transitions when driving quickly on twisting roads. Directional stability is good over almost all road surfaces, even when equipped with the wider tires.

The ride is smooth. And it's quiet, too, with little road noise or wind noise invading the cabin, even through the vast expanse of rear and side glass in the wagon version.

One area in which the 9-3 excels is its suppression of torque steer. This disconcerting trait afflicts many front-wheel-drive cars, where the steering wheel tugs at the driver's hands under hard acceleration or resists corrections in the midst of a corner. Saab engineers worked hard to eliminate torque steer in this latest 9-3, and it appears they were largely successful. The turbocharged V6 develops a lot of torque and a modicum of tugging and resistance is apparent while accelerating over uneven pavement or out of a tight corner, but it isn't the issue it once was in older Saabs.

The V6 delivers all the punch these cars need, with 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque from 2000-4500 rpm. Saab says the 9-3 Aero SportCombi we drove is capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in less than 7 seconds flat. The big torque is more than adequate for those urgent passes on two-lane roads and for getting up to merging speeds on highway on-ramps.

If you really like doing your own shifting, go with the manual transmission; but we don't recommend it. The longish clutch throw takes some getting used to, and the six-speed stick feels a little rubbery. You'll save yourself $1,350; but if you commute, treat yourself to an automatic. The fingertip controls on the Aero models add to the fun in every day driving.