Saab 9-4x vehicle comparison table

July 21, 2011 15:22 Line

By: Swade

I thought I’d put this together as a supplement to the writeup I’ve been doing on my time with the Saab 9-4x. One of the things that impressed me about the 9-4x was that it had a very high level of equipment. As I started writing up my report, I had the SaabUSA web page open to look up various bits of equipment to see if they were standard or optional. I was amazed to see that just about everything on the car was standard.

In fact, on the 2011 Saab 9-4x Aero there are only three options:

  • Panoramic Moonroof
  • Rear seat pack (audio, video screens, tri-zone climate control, heated rear seats)
  • Space saver spare wheel

That’s it.

Think of everything on this car – the powered tailgate, the XWD system, the satnav, HDD music system with iPod connectivity, Drivesense …… you name it and it’s standard equipment on the 9-4 Aero (and much of it is standard on the 3.0 Premium, too).

I thought it would be a good exercise to put together a comparative table, showing the 9-4x and how it weighs up against three of its European competitors: The BMW X3, the Audi Q5 and the Volvo XC60.

I’ve used the USA webpages from those manufacturers to specify similar levels of equipment to that which is standard on the 9-4x. In some instances, there are packages where you get more than the needed item, including some things that the Saab doesn’t have available (hello, thermal cup holders).

I think the exercise is a worthwhile one, showing just how good the spec level is on the Saab 9-4x Aero. We hold very little back and when you build up some competitors models to a similar level, the pricing is interesting to say the least.

Note: This is not a full spec sheet of features on the 9-4x or the other vehicles. Go to Saab’s US 9-4x website for that. This is just a list of some of the more interesting options and the contrasts between the four vehicles. There are common features amongst all of them that I’ve left off – e.g. electrically adjustable passenger seats – simply to save some time (it’s been a very time consuming exercise).

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Saab 9-4x AeroBMW X3 xDrive35iAudi Q5 3.2 PrestigeVolvo XC60 T6 AWD
Base Price48,01041,05050,10038,950
Spec Price49,46054,07557,05050,095
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Legroom (front, inches)41.2not statednot stated41.2
Legroom (rear)36.4not statednot stated36.4
Shoulder room (fr)58.357.357.756.7
Head room (fr)39.940.739.439.0
Cargo capacity (2nd row down, cubic ft)61.256.557.367.4
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Engine2.8 V6 Turbo3.0 6cyl Turbo3.2 V63.0 6cyl Turbo
Transmission6sp Auto8sp Auto6sp Auto6sp Auto
Power300hp300hp270hp300hp
Torque295 lb ft300 lb ft243 lb ft325 lb ft
DriveSaab XWDBMW xDriveQuattroHaldex AWD
Weight4,650lbs4,224lbs4,299lbs4,225lbs
Mileage15/2216/2318/2317/23
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FEATURES (S=standard)
Rear Seat PackOption
- Tri-zone climatenot specifiedSn/a
- Rear seat audion/an/an/a
- Rear screensn/an/an/a
- Heated rear seatOptionn/aOption
Lumbar SupportSOptionSS
Heated front seatsSOptionSOption
Ventilated front seatsSn/aOptionn/a
Auto dimming mirrorsSOptionSS
Power tailgateSOptionSOption
Rear view cameraSOptionSOption
Bi Xenon headlampsSSSOption
Cornering headlampsSSSOption
Panorama moonroofOptionOptionSS
Parking assistanceSOptionSOption
Rain sensing wipersSSSOption
Headlamp washersSSSOption
Integrated front foglampsSSSn/a
Leather sports steering wheel with paddle shiftSOptionOptionn/a
Dual zone climate controlSnot specifiedTri-zone standardS
Night PanelSn/an/an/a
Electric pedal adjustmentSnot specifiednot specifiednot specified
NavigationSOptionSOption
Head-up displayn/aOptionn/an/a
iPod/USB connectivitySSSS
Integrated garage remoteSOptionSOption
U-rail cargo systemSn/an/an/a
Cargo bag holdersSOptionSOption
Underfloor storageSnot specifiednot specifiedS
Side curtain airbagsSFront onlyFront onlyS
Active head restraintSSnot specifiedS
Rollover sensorSnot specifiednot specifiedS
Spare tireOptionRun-flatSnot specified
20-inch wheelsSn/aOptionn/a
Hill descent controln/aSn/an/a
Drivesense type controlsSSOptionOption
Killer good looksSn/an/aOption
IIHS Top Safety PickYesNoYesYes

Tags:
Category: Features, Reviews

7 Responses to Saab 9-4x vehicle comparison table

  1. obelix de gallia says:
    July 21, 2011 at 13:42

    Nice overview, Swade. I must say I’ve enjoyed reading your bits on the 9-4X.

    With a base price of € 75.000 on the Netherlands I doubt I’ll ever see one for real. I can see the value it offers if you’re living in the USA, though.

    I remember in one of the reviews that a journalist remarked that the 9-4X could save Saab by itself. It made me wonder what agreements there are with GM about the number of 9-4X’s that Saab can build and what the arrangements are between Saab en GM about the earnings en profits for the 9-4X. Can you say anything about that ?

  2. Börjesson says:
    July 21, 2011 at 13:51

    Swade, could you please clarify the optional “killer good looks” for the Volvo? The n/a for the BMW and Audi I understand… ;)

    • Steven Wade says:
      July 21, 2011 at 14:37

      I don’t mind certain angles on the XC60 and with the R-design stuff it looks pretty ……. OK.  The BMW is beyond help IMHO and the Audi is just a snooze.

  3. Kari Anderson says:
    July 21, 2011 at 18:06

    Trailer hitch is also optional…I don’t see it listed when you build your 9-4X on the Saab USA website, but it’s an option on the specification list.

  4. Anonymous says:
    July 22, 2011 at 08:57

    Warum BMW X3, nicht X5???

  5. Gustaf Ahlstrom says:
    July 26, 2011 at 15:14

    Everything looks great except torque/weight/mileage.

  6. Frank Wulfers says:
    July 28, 2011 at 01:51

    It would be nice to have a comparison with the base 9-4X as well.  I was curious what $34K buys these days and a nicely equipped Ford Explorer with leather seats already is $32K.  I think the base 9-4X is an exceptional value, even when it doesn’t have all the goodies like the Premium and Aero models.