The Saab 9-5 has always been a good alternative choice for the enthusiastic driver who doesn't want to follow the crowd with a German executive car; the launch of the 9-5 Estate in the late 90s brought a whole new appeal to the range and is now one of the biggest Saab sellers. All the engines on offer come with a turbocharger, which means performance is always brisk - but the 1.9-litre diesel offers the best blend of economy and power. Handling is also sharp considering the car's size, although it sometimes struggles to cope with the power in larger-engined models; refinement, meanwhile, is up with the best of its rivals. Once discounts come into play, the 9-5 does represent particularly good value for money: equipment levels are high across the range and the savings are substantial from Saab main dealers in AutoeBid's auction. Whilst the residual value won't be as strong as most German rivals, the lower starting price does still make the Saab 9-5 a great proposition.
