In second place to the Forester in this class, the 150bhp diesel Saab 9-3 gave a silky smooth performance through the gears to well beyond the speed limit. But caught by crosswinds it was a bit twitchy and the top gear (6th) is too high for safe towing. Hill starting was fairly easy – the engine is torquey and the turbo cuts in without much lag – but handbrake performance was mediocre.
Saab seems to take towing seriously, with plenty of information in its handbook, a well-designed towing bracket with proper breakaway cable attachment, and a fairly generous noseweight limit of 75kg.
| Make/Model |
Caravan weight |
Drive |
Cyls/CC |
bhp/lb ft@rpm |
Price |
Tested |
| Saab 9-3 TD Sportswagon |
1,398kg |
FWD |
4/1910 |
148/236@2000 |
£22,773 |
2007 |
Saab 9-3 TD Sportswagon
