The Saab 9-7X was a mid-size luxury SUV sold in the United States from 2005 to 2009. Built by General Motors on the same platform as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Buick Rainier, it was Saab’s first SUV and one of the few Saabs without a turbocharged engine.
Saab 9-7X at a glance
| Presented | 2004 New York International Auto Show |
|---|---|
| Model years | 2005–2009 |
| Assembly | Moraine, Ohio, by General Motors |
| Platform | GMT360, shared with the Chevrolet TrailBlazer |
| Drive | all-wheel drive, standard |
| Trim levels 2005 | Linear and Arc |
| Trim levels 2006 | 4.2i and 5.3i |
| Engines | 4.2-litre straight six, 285 hp; 5.3-litre V8, 300 hp |
| Aero (2008) | 6.0-litre V8, 390 hp |
| Gearbox | four-speed automatic |
| End of production | 2008, when the Moraine plant closed |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the 9-7X.
History of the Saab 9-7X
The 9-7X appeared at the 2004 New York International Auto Show and went on sale for the 2005 model year. It replaced the Oldsmobile Bravada, which disappeared when the Oldsmobile brand was closed, and it used the GMT360 platform of the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Isuzu Ascender, Buick Rainier and Oldsmobile Bravada. Most of the body came directly from the Bravada, with a Saab-style front fascia added.
Every 9-7X had all-wheel drive, 18-inch sport wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, and 2005 was the first year Saab offered all-wheel drive at all. The first cars came in Linear and Arc trim; for 2006 these became the 4.2i with a 4.2-litre straight six of 285 hp and the 5.3i with a 5.3-litre V8 of 300 hp and a towing capacity of 2,948 kg. Standard equipment included side curtain airbags, leather, heated front seats, automatic climate control, a Bose sound system, XM Satellite Radio, OnStar and HomeLink.
For 2008 Saab added the Aero, a more luxurious version of the Chevrolet Trailblazer SS. It used the 6.0-litre LS2 V8 from the Chevrolet Corvette, tuned for the truck platform to produce 390 hp and 542 N·m. Saab also lowered the ride height, fitted firmer springs and dampers, larger brakes, a thicker front anti-roll bar and a self-levelling rear air suspension. The 5.3-litre V8 gained displacement-on-demand technology to save fuel.
The 9-7X was built at General Motors’ Moraine plant in Ohio, which closed on 23 December 2008, so the model ended after the 2009 model year. Although developed for North America, it was also sold in Chile, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, the Middle East, Sweden and Syria. In 2012 General Motors recalled more than 258,000 SUVs, including the 9-7X, to fix power window and door lock switches that could cause fires.
Design and features
- Saab’s first SUV: a GM truck platform with a Saab front end and cabin details.
- All-wheel drive as standard: no rear-wheel-drive version was offered.
- Three engines: a 4.2 straight six, a 5.3 V8 and, in the Aero, a 390 hp 6.0 V8.
- Chassis work by Saab: lower ride height, firmer springs, larger brakes and a thicker anti-roll bar.
Saab 9-7X versions
- Linear (2005): the base trim, renamed 4.2i for 2006.
- Arc (2005): the better-equipped trim, renamed 5.3i for 2006.
- 4.2i: 4.2-litre straight six with 285 hp.
- 5.3i: 5.3-litre V8 with 300 hp and displacement on demand from 2008.
- Aero (2008–2009): 6.0-litre V8 with 390 hp.
The 9-7X was replaced in the range by the smaller Saab 9-4X crossover and sat above the Saab 9-3. The Saab 9-5 was the largest Saab car of the same years. More cars are in the Saab collection.
Video: Saab 97X Experience.MP4
Video by the uploader on YouTube.
Sources
- Saab 9-7X, English Wikipedia: history, trims, engines, recall
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