The 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD eLSD Sport Combi Test Drive

Posted on 08. Apr, 2009 by Ryan in 2000-2009

Photo Credits: Saab History

The Saab History 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD eLSD 6-Speed Manual Sport Combi Test Drive

The History:

The Saab 9-3 Sport Combi not to be called a “wagon”, was designed after the 9-3x and 9-3 Sport Hatch Concept cars in 2002 & 2003 respectively, and came to market in 2005.

It is important to know that during the development of this car, it was originally planned to debut in 2002 as an all-wheel drive version says Joel Manby, former Saab Cars USA President, however a capable all-wheel drive system was not yet available and development budgets were delayed by General Motors. That was true then, but today, that is a completely different story.

The Background:

In the summer of 2007, I had the opportunity to test drive one of the first MY ’08 Saab 9-3 prototypes that had an experimental all-wheel drive system on board. This test drive experience took place in the Washington, D.C area on an old air strip in addition to an expanse of fresh cut grass. This experience served as an educational opportunity to learn more about this new system, however it did not help me gain a side-by-side real world experience. The fall of the same year, the halo vehicle for the new system known as Cross-Wheel Drive or XWD for short debuted in Boston, known as the Saab 9-3 Turbo-X.

The spring of 2008, I had the chance to test drive the Saab 9-3 Turbo-X for the first time in the greater Boston area. This test drive took place on a perfectly clear parking lot around cones, free of rain, ice, snow and sand, again leaving me in a state of uncertainty when it came to really understanding the cross-wheel drive system in a real-world experience sense.

This “cross-wheel drive” system or XWD for short, is a fully integrated 4th generation all-wheel drive system from a Swedish company known as Haldex. Haldex are global leaders in all-wheel drive technologies. Since the debut of the Turbo-X, the same XWD system continued in the Saab 9-3 range (excluding the convertible). The XWD system includes two new innovations, the pre-emptive engagement of the rear wheels for traction optimization at take-off, as well as an active rear electronic limited slip differential known as eLSD. The eLSD system, standard on Aero models and optional on 2.0T models, allows variable torque transfers between both rear wheels when necessary. The XWD system’s capabilities when outfitted with the eLSD system, involves the possible transfer of up to 100% of the engine torque to any wheel from the front to the rear.

The Plan:

After two test drives of XWD capable Saab 9-3s over the past two years combined with the fact there really have not been any convincing and detailed reviews of Saab’s cross-wheel drive system, I realized it was time to make the request and do it on my own. In the spring of 2009, after two months of waiting since my request, I was delivered a brand new 2009 Saab 9-3 Aero XWD eLSD SportCombi with a 6-speed manual transmission in glass-grey to review. Initially, I made this request at the height of snow season in New England, but now that the snow is pretty much gone, I had to make do. The route eventually decided on, was from Maine-to-Montreal two countries in two days, spanning the white mountains of New Hampshire to the Green Mountains of Vermont. It was on this route that I encountered just about every possible variation of inclimate weather that I needed and wanted for this review.

The vehicle that arrived was a top of the line Saab 9-3 Sport Combi model with the XWD system on board along with the electronic limited slip differential coupled with a V6 280hp engine and a 6-speed manual transmission outfitted with michelin all-season tires. Although I would have preferred true winter directional tires, the variation of conditions I experienced seemed to fair better with these tires than I originally expected.

The Experience:

Setting out on the trip early in the morning, I felt more than comfortable in the bolstered two-toned leather seats standard on Aero models, warm with the dual-setting heated seats and manual dual-climate control, and in control with the leather wrapped steering wheel & shifter, easy to access equipment, and on-board integrated navigation system. While leaving the city with NPR tuned in on the 9-speaker Bose stereo system, and taupe/grey split interior (the best looking combination), I began realizing how difficult it would be to give up this vehicle when the time came to return it.

As the roads began to incline due to the higher elevations I was heading into, I noticed the mileage for the first time hanging around the 20-22 miles to the gallon throughout the 600 round-trip route due to the larger 2.8 liter V6 280 hp (206 kW), turbo engine even in the 6th gear during descents. I initially thought, well this wasn’t bad compared to the higher performance model, the Turbo-X that gets 16-18 miles to the gallon! However, the engine that I would take home would be obvious, the 2.0 liter 4-cylinder that hits around 32mpg, an engine combination not currently offered in the United States unfortunately in the Aero line, only the 2.0T. The model is very sleek, all exterior trim has been removed, for a more aerodynamic wind drag coefficient and even the roof rails are now “low profile” for an increased advantage and visual cue.

While arriving at the peak of the drive in the national park in the White Mountains, I encountered thick fog. It was here that the fog lights (front & rear) helped the visibility factor combined with the LED lights above the headlights with oncoming vehicles to be seen. In addition, it was the navigation system that normally serves as a convenience, this time as a safety device as an aid in cornering with the real time maps showing the necessary turns at the right times.

In departing from the clouds of fog, I finally found some ice and snow where I feel that even with good directional snow tires, the corners and hair-pin turns on this route would have left me fishtailing, not the case with the Saab 9-3 Aero XWD. The pre-emptive eLSD unit, optional on non-Aero models, made noticeable corrections with the rear wheels, simply incredible and certainly necessary for this type of driving. Every situation in this drive with these conditions was a non-issue, I continually felt like I wanted to correct my driving, but again, I was wrong.The roads were slick, the visibility at less than 10%, the Saab 9-3 Aero XWD was a comforting experience and really felt like an absolute necessity if safety is important to you.

It was this experience with cross-wheel drive where I learned that while some people think that this system is only needed for 3% of the population 1% of the time, I have to disagree. Cross-wheel drive is not an alternative for those who fail to swap summer tires for directional snow tires each season, it is technology that should be installed on every vehicle today to ensure driving safety through performance control.

When it comes to utility, you will find the trunk displacement at over 2,000 liters beating the competition from the likes of Subaru’s Legacy at 1,874 liters and Audi’s A4 Avant at 1,672. Moreover and interestingly enough, and unlike the Saab 9-3 Turbo-X, this vehicle actually has a spare tire even with the XWD system and eLSD module on board. It continues to show that this model with XWD is now refined and bulletproof and even better integrated now than before and beats out all competitors. Just ask the family at the local Saab dealership trading in their rather new Subaru outback for a trusty, reliable and safe Saab 9-3 XWD Sport Combi.

It’s the active safety of the cross-wheel drive system that ensures the passive safety of the driver and occupants at all times. A smaller displacement right-sized 2.0T engine, would be the right combination for cross-wheel drive as its output would not fight for control with the xwd as much while also provide acceptable fuel efficiency.

A premium car inside and out from a premium company that has a long reputation for safety, reliability and a high build quality. The price as tested, $45,660 for the 9-3 Aero Sport Combi model and I would suggest that you go for the 9-3 2.0T Sport Combi XWD w/ cornering headlights and foglight options chosen at $38,585.

“Saab has finally arrived with Cross-Wheel Drive”.

Tags: Aero, all-wheel drive technologies, Boston, Driver, Montreal, President, saab 9-3, speaker, Subaru Outback, WASHINGTON