I don’t typically read the Canadian newspapers, but perhaps I should start. Canada seems to be such a sensible place — and apparently Harry Pegg is a sensible man. At least he was sensible when he wrote his recent review of the 2008 Saab 9-3 SportCombi.

Entitled: “We all love a good Saab story”, Mr. Pegg certainly seems to like the 2008 9-3 SportCombi, to wit:

SportCombi is a bit of an awkward moniker, but there was nothing ungainly about the top-of-the-line Aero version provided as a test vehicle by General Motors Canada.

Step on the gas and the 2.8-litre V6 turbo whips up 255 horses in a hurry, providing a highly satisfying launch and plenty of pop to push the ponies past pokey traffic on the highway.

And:

There’s no sob story to be found in the handling, either. Just because it’s a wagon doesn’t mean it handles or rides like one. This one loves to play on tight, winding roads, handling corners as though it were glued to the pavement - little understeer, only a tiny bit of body lean.

It’s all good, except he uses the “q” word (it rhymes with “irky”), and that he’s a little hard on the fuel economy of the SportCombi, which I believe is just fine.

Kudos for a balanced and realistic review, albeit a bit on the short side.