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2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi First Drive
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TO THE POINT
What’s New? This is a station wagon version of the updated 2006 Saab 9-3, which gets a new turbocharged V6 engine and trim modifications this year.
Selling Points: Safety, front comfort, steering, brakes, fuel economy, free maintenance
Deal Breakers: No AWD option, lacks refinement, small rear seat, engines require premium fuel
Our Advice: Saab doesn’t build the 2006 9-3 SportCombi we’d want to buy. But you might still want to take a look at this safe, comfortable, fun-to-drive, and useful automobile nonetheless.
MEET THE COMPETITION
Audi A4 Avant
Volvo V50
RELATED LINKS
2005.5 Audi A4 Quick Spin
2005 Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon First Drive
2005 Saab 9-2X Road Test
2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi Photo Gallery
2006 Saab 9-5 Preview
2005 Volvo V50 First Drive
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Specifications
The 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi’s main competitors include the Audi A3, Audi A4 Avant, BMW 325iT, Dodge Magnum, Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon, Mazda 6 Sport Wagon, Nissan Murano, Pontiac Torrent, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Subaru Legacy GT, Subaru Outback, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Passat Wagon, and Volvo V50.
Test Vehicle: 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi
Price of Test Vehicle: $30,945 (including $720 destination charge)
Engine Size and Type: 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder
Engine Horsepower: 210 at 5,500 rpm
Engine Torque: 221 lb.-ft. at 2,500 rpm
Transmission: Five-speed Sentronic automatic
Curb Weight, lbs.: 3,175
EPA Fuel Economy (city/highway): 23/34 mpg
Observed Fuel Economy: 24.7 mpg
Length: 183.2 inches
Width: 69.4 inches
Wheelbase: 105.3 inches
Height: 60.6 inches
Legroom (front/rear): 42.3/35.1 inches
Headroom (front/rear): 38.9/37 inches
Max. Seating Capacity: 5
Max. Cargo Volume: 73 cubic feet
Competitors: Audi A3, Audi A4 Avant, BMW 325iT, BMW X3, Chrysler Pacifica, Dodge Magnum, Ford Freestyle, Jaguar X-Type Sportwagon, Lexus RX 330, Mazda 6 Sport Wagon, Mazda Tribute, Mercury Mariner, Mitsubishi Endeavor, Nissan Murano, Pontiac Torrent, Saab 9-2X, Saab 9-5 SportCombi, Subaru B9 Tribeca, Subaru Legacy GT, Subaru Outback, Toyota Highlander, Volkswagen Passat Wagon, Volvo V50, Volvo V70. Photos courtesy of Saab
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About Christian Wardlaw
Christian Wardlaw joined Autobytel's Automotive Information Center (AIC) in January 2003, and current serves as Manager of Content Development for Autobytel. Previously, Christian spent eight years as Editor-in-Chief and Director of Automotive Data for Edmunds.com. A writer, editor, and automobile aficionado, Christian is a different sort of car enthusiast. His passion lies in the vehicles that people most often buy, rather than with high-performance sports cars or ultra-luxury sedans. “Given the choice to spend an hour with a Dodge Viper or a Honda Accord, I’ll choose the Accord,” he claims. Unless, of course, the driving venue is a racetrack. Christian has been a car enthusiast all of his life, uttering “car” as his first word while growing up in Detroit. A graduate of Western Michigan University, he holds a bachelor’s degree in English. His daily drivers include a 1994 Mazda Miata, a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata, and a 2005 Nissan Murano.
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