Saab Sets Pricing for New Flagship Sport Utility

Back to Volvo, its XC90 was never designed for anything more traumatic than escorting Ma, Pa and up to five kids to the ski

Saab's parent company, General Motors, built the 9-7X on the truck-like ladder frame of its Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier; and the list goes on. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

hill and back, and to that end it services those who purchase it very well. Like most crossover SUVs, its chassis architecture and engine lineup was pulled from a car within its lineup, and in the XC90's case the S80 was chosen.

But this is where the controversy lies with regards to the 9-7X. Instead of building an SUV off of a 9-5, Saab's parent company, General Motors, built it on the truck-like ladder frame of its Chevy TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy, Buick Rainier; and the list goes on. Not only that, but behind its A-pillars it looks much the same as its GM siblings, as it does on the inside where it sports a GM steering wheel - except for the dash design that looks Saab-like, in-dash cupholder and ignition which has been incorporated into the lower console in Saab tradition.

When the 9-7X goes on sale this spring Saab customers will have the opportunity to snub the critics and vote with their pocketbooks,

Saab introduced its new 9-2X last year, as an entry-level Volvo V50 fighter. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press)

but only those who live in North America as the big SUV is not going to be available in Europe. Instead, a car-based model based on Subaru's new B9 Tribeca is expected to be available globally.

If you think that you've seen the Saab and Subaru names in the same sentence previously, you're right. Saab introduced its new 9-2X last year, as an entry-level Volvo V50 fighter. Based on the Subaru Impreza and WRX sport wagons, the 9-2X experienced similar criticism to the 9-7X when it was unveiled, but it seems to have caught on with buyers looking for a reasonably priced European car with high levels of quality.