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Saab 9-3

1999-2002 models built after December 1998

MODERATE OVERLAP FRONT TEST

OVERALL EVALUATION: Acceptable

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

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

Good Good Acceptable Marginal Poor Poor

Test details:

The Saab 9-3 was restyled and renamed for the 1999 model year (it used to be called the Saab 900). All 9-3 models manufactured after December 1998 include structural changes to improve occupant protection in frontal crashes (note: information about when a specific vehicle was manufactured is on the certification label typically affixed to the car on or near the driver door).

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has evaluated the crashworthiness of a 9-3 with the structural changes in a 40 mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier.

Restraints/dummy kinematics — Dummy movement wasn't well controlled. During rebound, the dummy moved toward the driver door, and its head went part of the way out the open window and hit the B-pillar. There was too much upward movement of the steering wheel.

Injury measures — Measures taken from the neck and chest indicate low risk of injuries to these body regions. A high acceleration occurred when the dummy's heat hit the B-pillar, indicating that injuries to the head would be possible. Forces on the right tibia indicate that injuries to the lower leg would be possible.

Left to right:

Action shot taken during the frontal offset crash test.
The driver's survival space was maintained reasonably well, although there was too much upward movement of the steering wheel and some buckling of the roof rail.
Smeared greasepaint indicates where the dummy's head hit the B-pillar during rebound, producing a high head acceleration.
The active head restraint design, new in 1999 Saabs, automatically moves into position to provide more effective protection from whiplash injuries in rear-end collisions.

Additional features:

Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags
Built-in child restraints (optional)
Antilock brakes
Daytime running lights

Tested vehicle specifications:

1999 Saab 9-3 4-door
Class: Midsize luxury/near luxury car
Weight: 3,137 lbs.
Side airbags: front seat-mounted combination head and torso airbags
Wheelbase: 103 in.
Length: 182 in.
Width: 67 in.
Engine: 2.0 L turbocharged 4-cylinder
EPA ratings: 19 mpg city | 25 mpg highway

See all test results for Saab 9-3

Last updated: September 2, 2005