Skip the base 9-2X Linear and its relatively weak 165-horsepower, 2.5-liter, single overhead-cam four-cylinder engine and stick with the 9-2X Aero, which comes with a turbocharged and intercooled, dual overhead-cam 2.0-liter motor that makes 227 horses. Both of these powerplants feature cylinders with pistons that fire horizontally rather than vertically, and are commonly known as horizontally opposed or boxer-type engines. A five-speed manual transmission is standard, and a four-speed automatic is optional, driving power to all four wheels. Our test 9-2X Aero came equipped with the manual gearbox; the automatic would have pushed the sticker price to a lofty $31,500.

Decorating the hood of the Saab 9-2X Aero is a functional hood scoop that delivers cool air directly to the engine’s intercooler, helping the 3,179-pound car to accelerate to 60 mph in just over six seconds and achieve a top speed of 141 mph under optimum conditions, according to Saab. City/highway fuel economy ratings for the Aero are 20/26 with the manual transmission and 19/25 with the automatic, while the Linear manages 22/29 with the stick and 23/29 with the automatic. During our week driving the 9-2X Aero with the manual, we averaged 21.1 mpg, including a 900-mile highway stint at cruising speeds of 80 mph. And thanks to the large 15.9-gallon fuel tank, we enjoyed a substantial real-world range of more than 300 miles between fill-ups.