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I own a 2006 Volvo S60 (now with 3,000 miles on it) and a 2003 Saab 9-3 (with about 31,000 on it). I agree and disagree with the prior analysis.
The Saab feels much lighter and quicker than the Volvo - particularly the steering weight. The Saab (with a 170 HP motor) is faster off the line than the Volvo (with a 207 HP motor), but at highway speeds the Volvo has a tremendous amout of power for accelerating from 60 to 90 mph - very strong in that area - but the Saab has great power there as well. The Saab's fuel economy is much better - real world driving 27 mpg versus the Volvo's 22 mpg. Big, big difference with gas.
Where the Saab loses is in the interior. The Volvo wins that battle easily. The Volvo's seats are better sculpted and the dash layout, in my opinion, is more ergonomically appropriate than the Saab. Driving inside the Volvo is like being inside a BMW or a Benz - very "substantial" feel to it. The plastics are better, and the interior fit/finish are better. The door construction, in particular, is much more solid than the 9-3 - which is a sore point because my 9-3's door plastic feels like it is going to crack every time I push open the door without using the handle. So I am very gentle with the Saab - whereas the Volvo feels like a tank by comparison.
In my case, back in April when I needed to replace my older 97 Saab, if the 2006 9-3 had a better interior, I may have likely purchased another 9-3. But I couldn't get passed all of those tiny buttons on the dashboard - which for me was a big turn off. The 2003 9-3 had rotary knobs rather the buttons - which is preferably for my tastes - and the Volvo's continued use of knobs was welcoming.
So far, the S60 has been great - but certainly more of a luxury car rather than a sports sedan like the 9-3. Big difference in feel - if you want sportiness, choose the 9-3. If you want a luxury ride, of the two caes, the Volvo is the better choice. But the Volvo drinks gas like its going out of style - the Saab is the more fuel efficient choice.
In the end, both cars are a pleasure to own. I'm satisfied with both.
posted by 67.83.15...
, Sat, 24 Jun 2006 11:56:26, Sat, 24 Jun 2006 17:52:42, Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:00:58
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