Although 9-5 still looks unique and pleasing enough, the exterior styling is certainly looking its age when put beside modern German rivals like BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Not helping 9-5's case is the distinctive Saab interior styling, which looks dull and dated by modern rivals' standards. 9-5's chassis remains competent, but the supposed improvements with the latest changes are barely noticeable on the roads. 9-5 is fine to drive, however German rivals are significantly superior in terms of driving dynamics, making 9-5's decent body control, grip levels, and steering seem extremely unexceptional by comparison. 9-5 soaks up road imperfections well, and the cabin remains largely refined during cruising, with minimal engine and road noise intrusion. Wind noise only intrudes at higher speeds. The Saab cabin is one of the best place for a driver taking up a long-distance journey, providing plenty of seat support and no lack of seating and steering column adjustments. The dashboard is tilted towards the driver, bringing all controls within a better reach. As expected of a car trying to compete in this luxury segment, the build quality is of a high standard and materials are mostly soft-feeling. But some switchgear and plastics are disappointingly still in use after the facelift. Saab has apparently paid less attention to details compared to BMW, Mercedes-Benz and especially Audi. Another worrying news for buyers, both the Saab brand and 9-5 did not perform well in a 2006 reliability survey. There are two turbocharged engines on offer: 182 bhp 2.0-litre and 256 bhp 2.3-litre. The 2.0-litre has more than enough urge for dealing with the challenges of everyday driving. The 2.3-litre will surprise you with the available power on tap, which however can quickly overwhelm the front tyres' grip. Both engines are matched with a smooth five-speed automatic. 9-5 can accommodate five in comfort, providing front and rear occupants with generous head- and leg-room. The boot is large and the loading space can be increased using the 60:40 split-fold rear seats. On the down side, we find the driver's footwell to be somewhat cramped, and there should be more cabin storage compartments. The 2.0-litre and 2.3-litre have fuel consumption figures of 10.0 km/litre and 10.2 km/litre respectively. Servicing and repairs are expensive, and parts are relatively hard to find. Be prepared to lose a large chunk of 9-5's original value, as the Saab brand commands much less desirability compared to German brands like BMW, Audi and Mercedes-Benz. Predictably, 9-5 is priced lower than comparable BMW 5-Series, Audi A6 and Mercedes-Benz E-Class. But price savings aside, 9-5 is far from a convincing competitor in this premium segment. While we would consider 9-5 to be a capable car in isolation, German rivals comfortably outperform it in all areas except pricing and equipment count. In accordance with its luxury aspirations and price-point, 9-5 is well-equipped. Both models come with standard items such as alloy wheels, cruise control, electric mirrors and windows, climate control, powered front seats, leather seats, and a high-end audio system. Safety kit includes dual front and side airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, plus braking, traction and stability controls. Carbon dioxide emissions of 232 grams/km and 244 grams/km fall short of the standards set by German rivals. The mediocre fuel economy does little to help, too. Being fully imported further makes 9-5 more polluting than locally assembled BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.