2005 Saab 9-2X Linear Road Test

The flat-four revs smoothly and freely but is a wee bit coarse sounding when pushed. If drivers prefer a little more "hot

The thrifty 2.5L horizontally-opposed four-cylinder SOHC powerplant is responsive and quite capable . (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

sauce" with their 9-2X driving experience, a turbocharged 2.0L (122 cubic inch) DOHC engine will increase the BTUs to 227 horsepower and 217 pound-feet of twist, a la the Subaru Impreza WRX. Look for 0 to 100 km/h times of 7.1 seconds with the fortified engine.

In keeping with Saab's rep for producing automobiles with excellent handling characteristics, the 9-2X has a spirited soul, which comes alive with the twists and turns of scenic backroads and highway cloverleafs. The Swedish engineers took a very capable chassis architecture and tweaked it to reflect Saab characteristics.

The result is a firm-riding wagon that isn't "switchback shy." Cornering limits are met progressively, with plenty of

The 9-2X had a tendency to transmit jarring sensations into the passenger compartment when major road disruption was encountered. (Photo: Rob Rothwell, Canadian Auto Press)

feedback from the steering wheel and the independent suspension setup that connects the alloy wheels to the unibody structure of the 9-2X.

The sporty suspension calibration is nicely complemented by rack-and-pinion steering, producing crisp turn-in that was kept in check by the 16-inch Bridgestone Potenza all-season rubber on my tester. As a penalty for handling so well, the 9-2X had a tendency to transmit jarring sensations into the passenger compartment when major road disruption was encountered, but this is pretty typical of compact vehicles.