Model tested: Saab 9-5 2.0T Aero XWD automatic
Price: £31,195
Date tested: June 2010
Road tester: Stuart Milne

In a market dominated by Audi and BMW, the new Saab 9-5 has its work cut out to succeed, but the company says it will find favour with buyers looking for an executive car that's a little quirky.

Bigger than the previous 9-5, the new car retains the sleek, elegant, aircraft-inspired looks, but the huge grille and rear light strip which runs the length of the bootlid mark it out as something very different.

The new cabin is immediately identifiable as a Saab design too, with a swooping dash that cocoons the driver and the company's trademark green dials and instrument-dimming 'Night Panel' button.

There's a huge amount of interior space, the only letdowns being the rear windscreen pillars, which restrict sideways visibility for rear seat occupants and an uncomfortable centre seat. A 515-litre boot houses a clever U-shaped bar to stop luggage sliding around.

Equipment levels are good, with a head-up display which projects information on speed, navigation and primary controls onto the windscreen. Other kit includes an excellent Harman/Kardon infotainment system with surround sound.

We tested the 220bhp 2-litre petrol engine with XWD four-wheel drive, which sits alongside a 160bhp diesel and 300bhp V6 petrol. Mated to a good six-speed automatic, 0-62 mph takes 8.8 seconds, but such is the smooth delivery and refinement, the driver rarely feels the impressive performance.

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We also tested the 2-litre diesel, which will be the most popular engine among UK buyers. With 160bhp and 258lb/ft of pulling power, it's a superb cruiser that's refined at speed, but rough at tickover and under heavy acceleration. It will reach 62mph in ten seconds before hitting around 130mph.

Emissions of 139g/km are among the lowest in class for the power, but this increases to 179g/km with an automatic box. Saab quotes 53.2mpg for the manual and 41.5mpg for the auto.

Topping the range is the 155mph 2.8-litre V6, which provides 0-60mph in less than seven seconds, but emissions of 244g/km and fuel consumption in the mid-20s will severely limit appeal.

The 9-5 makes a very comfortable cruiser, particularly on 17-inch wheels - higher spec models have 19s, which makes the ride more choppy. There's limited road noise, although we detected some wind noise through the front side windows.

The new 9-5 is also the safest car the company has ever built, with Saab's latest active head restraints as standard for the front seats.

Equipment levels are generous too, the Vector SE getting six-way adjustable driver's seat, MP3-compatible CD player, 17-inch alloys, automatic headlights and mirrors, park sensors and passenger airbag deactivation switch as standard. The Aero model adds alloy trims, electric front seats, leather trim, 19-inch alloys, bespoke bodystyling and headlamp washers.

The 9-5 starts at £25,000, rising to £38,000. With bold styling, good dynamics, huge comfort levels and impressive space, it does what a good premium executive car should.