Saab 9-3 first generation

Photo: Vauxford / Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0

The Saab 9-3 first generation (1999–2003): dimensions, weights, reliability and the official figures of its 38 versions in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Model codes: GM2900

Dimensions, weights and capacity

Specification	Europe	North America	Wikipedia
Dimensions
Length	4,630–4,640 mm RDW	–	4,628–4,640 mm
Width	1,710–1,760 mm RDW	–	1,712 mm
Height	1,420–1,470 mm RDW	–	1,410–1,427 mm
Wheelbase	2,610–2,680 mm RDW	–	2,605 mm
Front track	1,452–1,524 mm ASTRA	–	–
Rear track	1,442–1,506 mm ASTRA	–	–
Weights and towing
Kerb weight	1,295–1,435 kg RDW	–	–
Mass in running order	1,395–1,535 kg RDW	–	–
Gross vehicle weight	1,790–1,970 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, braked trailer	1,600 kg RDW	–	–
Towing, unbraked trailer	695–750 kg RDW	–	–
Seats and space
Seats	4–5 RDW	–	–
Doors	2–4 RDW	–	–
Luggage space (EPA)	–	368–623 L EPA	–
Passenger space (EPA)	–	2,265–2,549 L EPA	–
Performance
Top speed	200–235 km/h RDW	–	–
Torque	240–350 Nm ASTRA	–	–

Tyre sizes (most common first): 185/65R15, 195/60R15, 205/50R16, 215/45R17

Ranges cover the generation’s versions and body styles; European and North American versions can differ. Sources: RDW type approvals (Netherlands), Wikipedia, ASTRA type approvals (Switzerland), US EPA fuel economy data, Traficom type approvals (Finland). Wikipedia figures are used under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Reliability and owner reports

UK MOT: first-time pass rate by age

Age at test	Pass rate	UK average	Tests
13 years and older	69.3% (68.5–70.1)	69.2%	12,046

What the MOT finds

Area	This model	UK average, same ages
Brakes	38.8%	36.4%
Suspension	36.9%	41.6%
Noise, emissions and leaks	30.0%	17.1%
Tyres	29.2%	31.2%
Lights and electrics	25.6%	28.8%
Body, chassis and structure	25.6%	18.6%

First MOT test of each car per year in 2022–2024, from the DVSA’s anonymised test results; only ages with at least 500 tests are shown. The figure in brackets is the 95% confidence interval; green or red means clearly above or below the UK average. The second table shows how often an item was noted (defect or advisory) in each area, against the UK average for cars of the same ages. DVSA anonymised MOT tests (Open Government Licence)

Owner complaints to NHTSA (US)

482 complaints for model years 1999–2003. 25 crashes · 14 fires · 45 injuries · 1 death

Electrical system 146
Engine 76
Airbags 55
Suspension 39
Transmission and drivetrain 29
Fuel system 21

Complaints are reported by owners and not checked by NHTSA; they are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular models have more. NHTSA owner complaints

All 38 versions of the Saab 9-3 first generation

Show all 38 versions

United Kingdom 16 versions

New cars on sale in the UK, from the Vehicle Certification Agency. NEDC figures until 2018 and WLTP figures after; years are the editions a version appeared in.

Years and version	Engine	Power	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2000–20042.0 turbo Ecopower 150hp B205E · 2.0 turbo 150hp B205E	2.0 L	112 kW (152 PS)	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.2 L/100 km NEDC	243 g/km
2001–20042.0 turbo 150hp B205E	2.0 L	112 kW (152 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	8.5 L/100 km NEDC	201 g/km
2000–20042.0 Turbo Ecopower 185hp B205L · 2.0 Turbo 185hp B205L · 2.0 turbo 185hp B205L	2.0 L	138 kW (188 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	8.8 L/100 km NEDC	210 g/km
2000–20042.0 Turbo Ecopower 185hp B205L · 2.0 Turbo 185hp B205L · 2.0 turbo 185hp B205L	2.0 L	138 kW (188 PS)	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.1 L/100 km NEDC	240 g/km
2000–20042.0 TURBO Ecopower 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 TURBO 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 TURBO 205hp 'Aero' B205R and 1 more trim	2.0 L	153 kW (208 PS)	Petrol	4-speed automatic	10.0 L/100 km NEDC	240 g/km
2000–20042.0 TURBO Ecopower 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 TURBO 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 TURBO 205hp B205R 'Aero' (Convertible) and 1 more trim	2.0 L	153 kW (208 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	9.1 L/100 km NEDC	217 g/km
2003–20042.0t 175hp B207L	2.0 L	131 kW (177 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	8.3 L/100 km NEDC	199 g/km
2003–20042.0t Aero 210hp B207R	2.0 L	157 kW (213 PS)	Petrol	5-speed automatic	9.6 L/100 km NEDC	232 g/km
2001–20042.2 TiD 125hp D223L	2.2 L	93 kW (127 PS)	Diesel	5-speed manual	6.2–6.6 L/100 km NEDC	164–177 g/km
20031.8t 150hp B207E	2.0 L	112 kW (152 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	8.2 L/100 km NEDC	198 g/km
20031.8t 150hp B207E	2.0 L	112 kW (152 PS)	Petrol	5-speed automatic	9.4 L/100 km NEDC	226 g/km
20032.0t 175hp B207L	2.0 L	131 kW (177 PS)	Petrol	5-speed automatic	9.5 L/100 km NEDC	231 g/km
20032.0t Aero 210hp B207R	2.0 L	157 kW (213 PS)	Petrol	6-speed manual	9.0 L/100 km NEDC	218 g/km
2000–20022.0 TURBO Ecopower 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 TURBO 205hp B205R 'Aero' · 2.0 HOT 205hp B205R 'Aero'	2.0 L	153 kW (208 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	9.0 L/100 km NEDC	216 g/km
2000–20012.0 turbo Ecopower 150hp B205E · 2.0 turbo 150hp B205E	2.0 L	112 kW (152 PS)	Petrol	5-speed manual	8.9 L/100 km NEDC	213 g/km
20002.2 TiD 115hp D223L	2.2 L	86 kW (117 PS)	Diesel	5-speed manual	6.2 L/100 km NEDC	164 g/km

United States 14 versions

Model years sold in the USA, from the EPA and the Department of Energy (fueleconomy.gov). MPG on the EPA test; litres per 100 km = 235.215 ÷ MPG.

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Drive	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2003–2004B207R, 2MODE CLKUP	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
2000–2003B205R, 2MODE CLKUP	2.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	20–21 MPG (11.2–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	263–276 g/km
2003B205R, SIL · B207L, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
2003B207L, 2MODE CLKUP	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	23 MPG (10.2 L/100 km) EPA	240 g/km
2003B207R, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	6-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
2001–2002B205R, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	22–24 MPG (9.8–10.7 L/100 km) EPA	230–251 g/km
2000–2002B235R	2.3 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	20–22 MPG (10.7–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	251–276 g/km
2000–2001B205L, 2MODE CLKUP	2.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	20–21 MPG (11.2–11.8 L/100 km) EPA	263–276 g/km
2001B205L, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
2000B205L, SIL · B205R, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	22 MPG (10.7 L/100 km) EPA	251 g/km
1999B204L3, 2MODE	2.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	Front-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km
1999B2O4L3, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	21 MPG (11.2 L/100 km) EPA	263 g/km
1999B2O4R3, SIL	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	20 MPG (11.8 L/100 km) EPA	276 g/km
1999B235E5 FFS,TURBO	2.3 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	Front-wheel drive	19 MPG (12.4 L/100 km) EPA	291 g/km

Canada 8 versions

Model years sold in Canada, from Natural Resources Canada fuel consumption ratings (5-cycle test).

Years and version	Engine	Fuel	Gearbox	Consumption (combined)	CO₂
2003Compact	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed automatic	10.5–11.4 L/100 km 5-cycle	242–262 g/km
2003Compact	2.0 L	Petrol	6-speed manual	10.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	242 g/km
2003Compact	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	235 g/km
2003Subcompact	2.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.0 L/100 km 5-cycle	253 g/km
2003Subcompact	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.8 L/100 km 5-cycle	248 g/km
1999–2002Mid-size	2.0 L	Petrol	4-speed automatic	11.0–12.2 L/100 km 5-cycle	253–281 g/km
1999–2002Mid-size	2.0 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.5–11.5 L/100 km 5-cycle	242–265 g/km
2000–2002Mid-size	2.3 L	Petrol	5-speed manual	10.9–11.7 L/100 km 5-cycle	251–269 g/km

Similar models from other brands

Official figures are measured on standard test procedures and differ between markets. Your consumption depends on how, where and in what conditions you drive.