Driving Impressions In addition to its adjusted ride height, the Saab 9-7X features stiffer shocks, modified spring rates, improved frame strength, a thicker front anti-roll bar, and new bushings. These changes are calibrated to provide performance-oriented, European ride and handling quality.

Our drive in the 2006 Saab 9-7X began in Quebec City, along the St. Lawrence Seaway, taking us from four-lane roadways to secondary roads with varied pavement surfaces, including both mountain routes and a forested back road.

With a ride height that’s lowered by approximately one inch over its GM stablemates, the 2006 Saab 9-7X makes it easy to slip within the well-appointed – yet uncluttered – cockpit that has intuitive controls and Scandinavian design cues. After getting behind the wheel, you’ll find that there are numerous adjustments and changes to the Saab 9-7X’s underpinnings that make this a different-handling vehicle from other midsize GM SUVs, although, by comparison, the Saab drives most like the Buick Rainier, from which it gets its AWD system.

In addition to its adjusted ride height, the Saab 9-7X features stiffer shocks, modified spring rates, improved frame strength, a thicker front anti-roll bar, and new bushings. These changes are calibrated to provide performance-oriented, European ride and handling quality. Saab benchmarked the Volvo XC90 and the Saab 9-5 sedan for ride and handling, and we think comparison to the XC90 is far more accurate, since driving the 9-7X does not feel like driving any sedan.

On coarse road surfaces, the 9-7X feels like the SUV it is, although it earns praise for limited body roll and non-intrusive tire noise. And, despite the fact that feedback to the driver is more like a truck than a car, the 9-7X inspires confidence thanks to its overall responsiveness. Standard electronically controlled air springs with auto-leveling, a quicker steering ratio, and steering toe-in adjustments also contribute to the 9-7X’s improved precision. Large, four-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS have been improved for better pedal feel and response time, doing their duty with well-controlled stopping capability.

The Saab 9-7X was the most fun to drive on hard-packed dirt. It was here that the standard limited-slip differential and all-wheel-drive system made it easy to toss around, controlled and predictable in all respects. We also tried out each of the powerplants, liking the six-cylinder model just fine. But we found that, in the V8 version, the four-speed automatic hunts and searches when under duress. Our only other complaint of note was the 9-7X’s exhaust tuning. It is neither pleasant, nor Scandinavian. It is harsh in a manner than undercuts the Saab’s other pleasantries.