Like its main rival in Sweden, Volvo, Saab is known for building safe vehicles, and when it comes to the 9-3, crash testing performed by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) bears this out. According to the IIHS, the 2006 Saab 9-3 receives a Gold rating for frontal, side, and rear crash protection, the agency’s highest recommendation.

That’s not surprising, given the long list of standard safety features designed to help prevent and reduce injury. Every 2006 Saab 9-3 SportCombi comes with adaptive dual front airbags, side-curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seat occupants, and front seat seatbelt pretensioners and load limiters. Saab also includes its second-generation Saab Active Head Restraints (SAHR) system, which has been proven to reduce whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.

Other features designed to help you from getting into an accident in the first place include antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist, traction control, and stability control. Daytime running lights are also included, and the 9-3 SportCombi’s right exterior mirror offers a parabolic split view to help the driver see her blind spot better. Not only that, but the side mirrors are also heated, helping to improve visibility in wintry climates.

Saab also offers its unique Night Panel feature, which allows the driver to dim all interior lights except the speedometer for less distraction at night. Now if we could just get the company to simplify the stereo, climate, and trip computer controls, we’d be all set.