2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X SportCombi Road Test Video

By Edmunds Video Productions | Published September 25, 2009

3:45 min

2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X Sport Combi Inspired by the famous Saab 900 �Black Turbo� from the 1980s, the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X is a limited production model for 2008. Only 600 units will be sold in sedan and Sport Combi wagon styles. Though it is rare, most of the key components are shared with the all-wheel-drive 9-3 Aero you can find at the local Saab store. Both share the same 2.8-liter V6 that's turbocharged to produce 280 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual is standard, but our test car came with the six-speed automatic that we found less than smooth, and also slow to react when using the shift paddles. The Turbo X also gets the Saab's new-generation all-wheel-drive system with an active center differential plus a limited-slip rear differential -- a system that's also now available for the 9-3 Aero. But there are key differences between the varieties of 9-3 Sport Combi� Riswick In-Car At the track, these upgrades certainly improved the 9-3. But the Turbo X gets to 60 mph in a less-than-impressive 7.4 seconds . It's not often you see a wagon running a slalom , but this one records 67.3 mph in our test. At the same time, these numbers are off the pace of competitors like the Audi A4 Quattro. The brakes were more impressive, as the Turbo X came to a halt from 60 mph in an impressive 109 feet. But skidpads and slaloms don�t tell the whole story. Our track tester declared the Turbo X to be very quick, stable and fun to drive. The Turbo Swede continued to impress away from the track too. Riswick In-Car But this is a wagon, and wagons still need to carry around stuff. We fit golf bags, laundry, suitcases and various Costco junk into the Sport Combi�s trunk. A cargo cover kept it all from prying eyes. Rear passenger space was less impressive, but at least the 9-3 sports some of the comfiest seats around. Cabin controls are also well-laid out and easy to use, with classic Saab features thrown in like the console-mounted ignition and Night Panel dimmer switch. But the Turbo X's interior doesn't have the visual presentation to match its price tag. With a bottom line of $46,000, this Saab is attending a party for which it doesn�t have the right clothes. That's the trouble with the 2008 Saab 9-3 Turbo X. Even as a specialty performance model, its price tag is too much. The Turbo X Combi's combination of all-wheel-drive, wagon utility, and Saab personality adds up to something special, but not special enough at $46,000.