The Saab 9-5 is a wonderful car for working through freeway traffic. It's as stable as a rock at elevated velocities. The standard 2.3T models offer good grip in smooth, paved corners. They lean a bit in corners, a traditional Saab trait that improves handling on bumpy pavement and gravel roads. Steering is a bit slow, but precise, another Saab trait.
The 2.3T Aero feels sportier than the standard model. The steering is quicker and more direct. It holds the road well around sweeping, high-speed curves, though it doesn't have the precise, rear-drive handling of rivals such as the BMW 5 Series or Audi A6. Still, the 9-5's handling and excellent feedback inspire driver confidence. Despite the improved handling response, the 2.3T Aero still deals deftly with bumps. In fact, it's a wonder that the 2.3T Aero rides so smoothly with a sports suspension and low-profile 45-series tires.
Torque steer, that tugging sensation on the steering wheel when accelerating hard in a powerful front-wheel-drive car, is minimal in the Saab 9-5, but you will notice it when you nail the accelerator. The Pirelli P6 tires on the Aero are superb: quiet, responsive for handling and threshold braking, yet reasonably capable for all-season driving.
The 9-5 is very quiet on the freeway. We noticed only the slightest hiss of wind noise, and that was eliminated when we closed the interior panel under the sunroof.
The turbocharged four-cylinder engine that comes on all 9-5 models offers quick, responsive performance. Producing 260 horsepower, it can generate impressive acceleration from a standing start. But it's best appreciated on the open highway: Squeeze down on the throttle while cruising at 70 mph and you are instantly past that string of cars, a great feature when trying to pass on a two-lane highway. It's easy to modulate the throttle, to get just as much thrust as you need. Squeeze gently on the gas and more power sends the car smoothly ahead. Push down harder and you're suddenly going very fast. There is only the slightest hint turbo lag, which is impressive because turbo lag has been a problem in Saabs in the past.
The five-speed automatic transmission is very responsive, downshifting smoothly to the appropriate gear without wasting time. Five gears keep the engine revving in the ideal power band for better response. In Normal mode, this transmission works like a standard automatic. In Sport mode, it still shifts automatically but with sportier response, holding lower gears longer. Manual mode activates the Sensotronic manual-shifting feature, allowing the driver to change gears by pressing a pair of buttons on the steering wheel. For most driving, we preferred the Normal mode, letting the responsive automatic do its thing.
The manual transmission shifts smoothly, especially between third and fourth gears. For enthusiast drivers, heel-and-toe downshifting is relatively easy. It's not as awkward as older Saabs. Models with manual transmissions have to be shifted into reverse before you can pull the key from the ignition.
All 9-5s are equipped with Electronic Stability Program (ESP), anti-lock brakes (ABS), electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), and an electronic traction control system (TCS). ESP works with the rest of this alphabet soup, helping the driver to maintain control in all sorts of conditions. It allows the driver to maintain steering control when jamming on the brakes, while stopping the car in the shortest possible distance. Several repeated ABS stops from 70 mph showed that the brakes are extremely effective, bringing the 9-5 to a rapid, uneventful halt with no apparent fade. Whether used for a panic-stop or high-performance applications, the brakes are up to the task.
