Saab 9-3 reviews

2005 Saab 9-3 Interior Features

Anyone familiar with Saabs knows the most contentious issue is the location of the ignition key. Saab fans need not worry, as it's still located down on the center console behind the gearshift between the front seats. Those who have not experienced this unique placement of the ignition key don't know what they are missing. It is really sensible as it avoids the irritating jingle from the dangling mass of keys so many of us has on our key chains. It's also safer as it prevents the possibility of getting keys jammed in one's knees in a severe accident. Thankfully, Saab no longer requires the manual transmission be in reverse before the key can be removed. We don't miss that feature.

In the convertible, Saab has taken a refreshing approach to the headliner, replacing the traditional black fabric with a light tan. The intent is to boost the perceived interior space, especially front-seat headroom, which in fact gives up almost a full inch to the soft top's mechanicals. The deception succeeds, as there's not the claustrophobic feel so common in convertibles when their tops are raised.

Beyond that, the Saab 9-3 interior is pretty much what one would expect in a near-luxury car, although certain Saab styling cues remain. The instruments are arrayed in an easy-to-view layout with a big speedometer in a sweeping instrument panel that blends into the center console. It's still a relatively high dashboard compared to that in most other cars, but it's long been a signature styling cue of Saab cars so it's nice to see it retained. The buttons and switches are smaller than in many cars. Nonetheless they are all well placed for the driver to reach while driving. An extra set of warning gauges is mounted on top of the dashboard in the center in a small pod, locating them more directly in the driver's line of sight. Radio settings are also displayed here.

The glovebox is one of the largest we have seen in a long time.

At first blush it's easy to miss the parking brake. It's located on the center console, but it's design mirrors the grab handle on the passenger side of the console so that it looks as though it is a sculptured design feature. Once you know it's there it operates just like any other hand parking brake; take care, though, when releasing it, as inattention can result in a thumb pinched between the tip of the handle and its resting place in the console. The matching grip on the passenger side contains a slot useful for temporarily storing a CD or parking lot ticket, which is a clever piece of design.

The front seats that come standard are firm but comfortable, with side bolsters that restrain during spirited motoring without restricting while climbing in and out. The available Sport seats are more aggressive and best suited to bodies tending toward the slim end of the scale.

Overall quality of the interior appears to be very good. The sedan features wood trim, while the convertible goes with more matte-black finish. Door handles and the center console gearshift surround are trimmed in brushed chrome. The Aero steering wheel is fully wrapped in leather with brushed chrome trim on the spokes.

Rear-seat passengers in the two-door convertible do not fare as well as those in the four-door sedan, of course: The convertible gives up nearly 10 inches of hip room and nearly 3 inches of legroom. A center console can be folded down between the rear seats that contains cup holders and a map storage area.

Trunk space in the sedan is an impressive 14.8 cubic feet and it's very usable space. The sedan uses goose-neck hinges for the trunk, but they are hidden in a cover so they do not crush luggage when the trunk lid is closed. A small pass-through opening is provided for carrying skis and other long items. The 60/40 split rear seats can be folded for versatility when carrying one rear-seat passenger and cargo. Trunk space drops to 12.4 cubic feet in the conver