SAAB - RATED TOP SAFETY PICK 2008
 

Saab 9-3

2008 Top Safety Pick 2008 Saab 9-3: good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control

FRONTAL OFFSET TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Good

Structure/safety cage Injury measures Restraints/dummy kinematics
Head/neck Chest Leg/foot, left Leg/foot, right
Good Good Good Good Good Good

Important: Frontal crash test ratings can be compared only among vehicles of similar weight.

Test details:

The Saab 9-3 was redesigned for the 2003 model year.

The frontal offset crash test ratings also apply to the station wagon version of the 9-3, known as the SportCombi, beginning with its introduction in the 2006 model year.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement was well controlled. The side curtain airbags deployed, as intended by Saab (even for frontal impacts). After the dummy moved forward into the frontal airbag, its head brushed the side airbag and its fabric cover. The dummy continued to rebound into the seat without its head coming close to any stiff structure that could cause injury.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the dummy indicate a low risk of any significant injuries in a crash of this severity.

Left to right:

  • Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test. Larger photo
  • The dummy's position in relation to the steering wheel and instrument panel after the crash test indicates that the driver's survival space was maintained well. Larger photo
  • Dummy movement was well controlled. During rebound, the dummy's head hit only the deployed side curtain airbag, its fabric cover, and the head restraint. . Larger photo
  • There was little change in the position of the dummy's feet following the crash test. Injury risk was low. Larger photo

Additional features:

  • Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
  • Electronic stability control
  • Antilock brakes
  • Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

  • 2003 Saab 9-3 Linear 4-door
  • Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
  • Weight: 3,322 lbs.
  • Side airbags: front and rear head curtain airbags and front seat-mounted torso airbags
  • Wheelbase: 105 in.
  • Length: 182 in.
  • Width: 69 in.
  • Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
  • EPA ratings: 22 mpg city | 31 mpg highway