Minor styling updates distinguish the 2012 Saab 9-3 from last year’s car; it also gets bumps in horsepower and gas mileage. Saab’s entry-level sport sedan, the 9-3 competes with popular nameplates like the BMW 3 Series, Lexus IS and Audi A4. It comes in sedan, wagon and convertible variants with front-wheel drive. The sedan and wagon offer all-wheel drive.
New for 2012 The 9-3 gains direct fuel injection for an extra 10 horsepower, and gas mileage improves by an estimated 4 percent. The exterior and interior have been updated, albeit slightly.
Exterior Saab says the 9-3 gets the bluish “ice block” headlight theme seen on the new 9-5 sedan and wagon, and the 9-4X crossover. The front bumpers have deeper air intakes. The sedan and wagon have black taillight frames with frosted lenses within; on the wagon, they rise up the C-pillars while in the sedan, they sit below the deck lid. Although all three body styles ride the same 105.3-inch wheelbase, the wagon measures about an inch longer; the 9-3X wagons is almost an inch longer still. Exterior features include:
Standard 17-inch alloy wheels
Standard fog lights
Optional 18-inch wheels (convertible only)
Optional xenon headlights
Convertible has standard power cloth top
Interior The changes inside are few, amounting to new faux-metal trim along the dashboard, doors and center tunnel. Aero models swap it out for graphite trim. The 9-3’s tall dashboard remains much like it has since the 2003 model year, with a three-spoke steering wheel and a wraparound panel containing both the gauges and center controls. Interior features include:
Standard dual-zone climate control
Standard heated front seats
Standard CD stereo with auxiliary jack and steering-wheel audio controls
Standard power driver’s seat
Optional power passenger seat
Optional navigation system
Optional moonroof (sedan, wagon)
Under the Hood The 9-3’s sole engine, a turbocharged four-cylinder, gains direct injection for an increase of 10 hp and 37 pounds-feet of torque. Mechanical features include:
220-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 258 pounds-feet of torque
Standard six-speed manual; optional six-speed automatic (standard on all-wheel-drive models)
Standard front-wheel drive
Optional all-wheel drive (sedan, wagon)
Safety Safety features include:
Convertible has front and head-extending side-impact airbags
Sedan and wagon have front, side-impact and two-row side curtain airbags
