Category: Reviews

The Saab 9-4x did its first round of press testing for long-lead press back in March. That event was pretty quiet at the time and the resulting road tests only just came out last week.

Today was Day 1 of a week long press event for short-lead journalists and I guess you could say it’s a ‘bigger’ event for the purposes our reportage here on Inside Saab. Firstly, we’ll start to see results coming through very quickly. Keep your eyes out for Saab 9-4x road reports in the next day or so. Second, there are more journalists involved in the event. And finally, we’ve got pictures!

There are more than two 9-4x’s involved in this event, of course, but here’s a pair awaiting their test drives.

The new head of Saab Cars North America, Tim Colbeck, whose appointment was announced only hours earlier, was present at the event. Tim is speaking here with Saab’s design chief, Jason Castriota.

Saab Automobile Chairman (a.k.a “the boss”) Victor Muller holds court with the assembled press prior to hitting the road……

…. and again, providing some media footage from the event.

The primary focus of this event is to expose the Saab 9-4x to the US motoring press. The US will be the main target market for this vehicle, even though it will also be sold elsewhere. That’s not to say that European media isn’t present there. Many will ‘cross the pond’ in order to get their first drive in the 9-4x this week.

in fact, Swedish journalist with Svenska Dagbladet, Karin Henriksson, seems to be the first reporter to get a news story in from this event. You can read her thoughts (in Swedish) here.

The Saab 9-4x drive event continues all week, with different journalists driving the vehicles each day. I’m sure there will be plenty more to read as the week progresses.

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It’s very exciting for us here at Saab to see test drive reports of the Saab 9-4x now appearing online. Long-lead publications had an opportunity to drive the Saab 9-4x at an event in the United States back in March. Reports from that event are now appearing online.

Automobile Magazine (US)

On the drive’s scenic parkways, feverishly expanding freeways, and gentle byways, the 9-4X Aero’s chassis was pleasantly tied down. At the same time, it capably sopped up the few bumps we could find to throw at it, with decent ride comfort despite rolling on high-style, twenty-inch wheels.

Autocar (UK)

….the new Saab 9-4X is more sporty and – to our eyes – more appealing than the Cadillac SRX with which it shares a factory. Its dynamic act is certainly polished enough to bear comparison with flagship petrol version of the Lexus RX and Infiniti EX.

Car & Driver (US)

….ride quality is surprisingly supple in both suspension settings; no noise finds its way into the cabin via the suspension; and the six-speed auto is much smoother than the SRX turbo’s we tested last August.

Motor Trend (US)

The interior and exterior styling are unmistakably Saab, with Swedish quality and minimalism. The materials used in the interior look and feel apropos of the luxury class into which the 9-4x is slotted. The exterior will stand out in a crowd of German and Japanese crossovers, while still looking reserved and understated.

Expressen (Sweden)

(The) 9-4X is a serious competitor for the title of best mid-sized SUV on the planet. And I’m not joking. The car is better than the Volvo XC60, better than the BMW X3 and better than the Lexus RX.

Short-lead publications will have an opportunity to drive the Saab 9-4x very soon at an event in Washington DC. Keep an eye out in the next few weeks for more road tests appearing online.

The Saab 9-4x should be appearing in US dealer showrooms soon.