Car Statistics: Saab - 9-5  Series 10 (3 stars)

Styling (3 stars)

The 9-5's sheer size guarantees it plenty of presence on the road, even if the rear overhang does make the car a little ungainly. Chunky styling and substantial girth give the Saab an almost American feel, which could be good if you want to distinguish yourself from the Germans in the company car park.

Handling (3 stars)

There's no mistaking the 9-5's relationship to the Vauxhall Insignia on the road, but Saab's engineers have succeeded in producing a slightly more comfortable ride without losing any poise. In fact, considering the car?s size, it handles reasonably well, only revealing its bulk when pushed. The V6 gets a more sophisticated suspension setup and all-wheel drive, but its extra traction doesn't make it anymore involving.

Comfort (4 stars)

Thanks to oodles of room and decent seats, the 9-5 is certainly not an uncomfortable prospect by any standard. The ride quality might not reach the top of the class, but you do feel suitably sheltered from the road in that cavernous interior, and there's enough room in the back to stage a basketball tournament.

Quality (3 stars)

There are some niggling issues here. The Saab is not poorly made, but the sheer size of the venture seems to infect the interior with a curious sense of disjointedness. The lack of a premium budget means some questionable plastics have been asked to stretch a very long way, and we?re not the biggest fans of Saab?s blocky dash design either.

Performance (4 stars)

Saab's heritage is built on turbocharged petrol engines so perhaps it's of little surprise that we found the 2.0T to be the best engine. The 296bhp V6 2.8T offered more go, but the smaller engine trumped its urgent delivery with a bit more bite and flexibility. The entry level 2.0-litre diesel is predictably adequate, with the more powerful 187bhp TTiD version offering a bit more pep.

Roominess (5 stars)

Saab's trump card. Unless you're transporting a rugby team, no one is going to complain about being cramped in the 9-5. In terms of value per metre, the model is a five-star car and there's also a big boot in that voluminous rump.

Costs (3 stars)

Predictably, the cheapest 2.0-litre diesel engine is the economical pick of the bunch, with Saab claiming 53mpg for the entry-level car. Things aren't so rosy for the petrol cars, where the 2.0T pays for its performance with a 33mpg thirst. Saab's are also notorious for losing their value quicker than the Zimbabwean dollar, but a new reputation could change all that.

Value (3 stars)

In terms of size, the 9-5 is a conspicuous bargain. However, if spaciousness is not your only criteria for buying a car, then there are plenty of contenders to consider. Saab's pricing has placed the car dangerously close to the BMW 5-Series and the Mercedes E-Class, both of whom offer a better driving experience. The top spec 2.8T V6 is effortlessly outgunned by similar offerings from the Germans.

Stereo (2 stars)

The satellite navigation system is an expensive option at £1,200, especially as it won't appear as standard even on the higher spec models. The stereo does its job without much fuss.

Other

Overall Rating (3 stars)