Wrap-Up Saab is too small to succeed on its own. Therefore, it must rely on the economies of scale available through General Motors, such as platform and parts-bin sharing with other GM brands. Nevertheless, the new 9-7X possesses Saab-ness, both inside and out.

There are those who would say that this Swedish marque lost credibility and appeal when it added the Japanese-built 9-2X hatchback, a re-badged Subaru with all-wheel-drive and an ignition switch located on the steering column, to the lineup. But Saab is too small to succeed on its own. Therefore, it must rely on the economies of scale available through General Motors, such as platform and parts-bin sharing with other GM brands.

Regardless of loyalist moaning, the 9-2X has added much-needed sales to the Saab coffers, helping to preserve the brand as a viable business. Saab expects incremental gains from the 9-7X as well, hoping to sell approximately 7,000 copies of the 2006* version to its affluent, well-educated and knowledgeable customer base. And, it’s clear from the sales numbers that Saab must also become as popular in the Sunbelt as it is in the Snowbelt, so marketers will heavily target Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami and Atlanta for new sales while it expands the product line.

Bottom line, and most important to those loyal buyers that Saab seeks to retain while building a lineup with more diverse appeal, the new 9-7X possesses Saab-ness, both inside and out. And, as Saab’s first-ever SUV, it’s been engineered to give you a ride with feedback and control, a hallmark of Saabs past that were exclusively built in Sweden. We would tell you that despite the fact that it’s an American truck in Scandinavian clothing, it can do the traditional Swedish Frog dance, used by children and adults for fun and entertainment. It just shouldn’t try to sing.

*Note that a handful of 2005 models trickled out of the factory before production on the 2006 9-7X began, and buyer beware because the 2005 model has slightly less power from its standard six-cylinder engine, the optional V8 lacks the 2006 model’s displacement-on-demand fuel saving technology, and it lacks standard stability control.