Used 2010 Saab 9-5 Pricing

The 2010 Saab 9-5 Aero is tasked with bringing the Swedish carmaker back from the brink of extinction, while simultaneously taking the fight to more mainstream competition in the fiercely competitive luxury sedan segment. Long a favorite of automotive nonconformists, Saabs are known for their combination of quirky styling, an emphasis on safety and comfort and a lineup of small-displacement turbocharged engines. For the first time in more than a decade, loyal Saab fans have been rewarded with a completely new and vastly improved 9-5 sedan.

Traditional Saab characteristics remain, such as an ignition switch (now push-button start) curiously located on the center console, the Saab "hockey stick" curve in the rear glass and plenty (maybe too many?) references to Saab's background in aviation. But a steep base price of $49,165 makes the new 9-5 significantly more expensive than the outgoing model.

It also pits the 2010 9-5 Aero against serious luxury sedan competition, such as the Acura RL, Audi A6 and BMW 5 Series. With Saab's product portfolio having been neglected for so many years, the company's first task is simply to get itself back onto the radar screen of today's luxury car buyer.

Early in 2010, the future of Saab -- much less the outlook for the new 9-5 -- was in serious jeopardy. The Trollhattan-based company faced liquidation while its former parent, General Motors, sought to slash costs by eliminating brands (Hummer, Pontiac, Saturn) and closing factories. Rescued at the final moment by Dutch sports carmaker Spyker Cars, the 2010 9-5 is the first vehicle offered by a newly independent Saab.