There’s a carbon fibre look for the instrument panel and door handles, plus a standard equipment list that includes bixenon adaptive lighting, cruise control and dual zone climate control, audio and phone controls mounted on the steering wheel, an electric parking brake with rear view camera to ease multistorey nerves, as well as rain sensing wipers and eight-way powered driver and passenger seat adjustment. Information and entertainment is out of the top drawer with a BOSE sound system and Saab’s own Infotainment System.
grey/black application to ensure off-road work doesn’t damage the paintwork. Inside, the cabin reflects its maker’s aero roots, with dials and read-outs that have drawn on aeroplane inspiration for their looks. There are other comfortingly familiar Saab motifs, such as the ignition stop-start button which sits as always between the front seats and next to the gear shift, and the traditional ‘joystick’ control for the air vents. Still in pilot vein, Saab’s ‘Night Vision’ mode allows the driver, like a pilot, to douse all but the most important instruments at night. Designed to seat five adults in comfort, the cabin also offers almost 500-litres of boot space. Versatility and ease of use are the themes and the 60:40-split rear seat backs fold in a single movement for a completely flat load floor. The cargo space can be arranged as needed using the adaptable, telescopic dividing rail and the tailgate can be remotely controlled via a switch on the driver’s door, from the key fob or on the rear hatch itself.
This 9-4X is a luxury SUV crossover that will, initially at least, find a small but possibly very satisfied market in this country. That’s due as much to Saab’s lack of track record in this sector as to the initial Hobson’s choice availability of a single V6 petrol powerplant. Nevertheless, this is an interesting and welcome new contender in this sector, spacious, safe and pretty dynamic thanks to the clever DriveSense system. Plus your neighbour is most unlikely to have one. All reasons to make potential 9-4X owners feel, well, potentially rather smug. Saab delayed too long in bringing an SUV to market. Buy one of these and you could well feel that it’s been worth the wait. Fancy a test drive? Local dealers include; Lookers Saab at 82 Derby Road, Liverpool L20 8LR (0151 933 9777) or Wilson and Co., Manchester Road, Bolton. (01204 389999).
This car targets luxury SUV opposition selling at around the £40,000 price point, hence an up-market equipment list. The upholstery is leather with contrasting stitching and neat touches like the leather-trimmed flat-bottomed steering wheel again point to Saab’s sporty aspirations for the car.
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