Saab or Volvo?

Saab 9-3 vs. Volvo S-40

Own both a 2006 Saab 9-3 and a 2006 Volvo S-40... fairly similar sized 4-door sedans. While I do prefer the mildly quieter cabin, smoother transmission, and the reliable power delivery of the Volvo, it is otherwise lacking in comparison to the Saab. The Saab clearly wins in seat comfort, stereo (not even close), leg and foot room (my 5' tall, 100 lb wife even finds the Volvo cramped in the leg/foot well... and at 5'11", I find it quite aggravating), steering wheel comfort, instrument panel, gas mileage (about a 7 mile per gallon improvement in the Saab over the Volvo, which is magnified by the Saab also having about a 4 gallon bigger tank), sporty overall driving experience, price (not by much, but every bit counts), etc, etc. And perhaps it's just me, but "big shoulder and thin console" the Volvo design all you want, and it is still rather staid compared to the "born from jets" sexier, quirkier image of the Saab.

We have a new baby on the way, so just awaiting the production of the 2009 (I hope) Saab 9-4 CUV, so we can trade in the Volvo for it. Then trade in the the Saab 9-3 for a 2010 Saab 9-1... OK, maybe I'm getting ahead of myself. But after previously owning two Saab 9000's, a 900, and a 9-5, guess you can see that I simply love them.

First answer by ID1102903197. Last edit by ID1102903197. Question popularity: 16 [recommend question]