Saab vs Toyota Aurion
Before anyone starts, I know this isn’t a car that competes directly against Saab.
It’s a family 5-seater with a 3.5 litre V6 and at base level, it sells for around A$36,000. In comparison, the base level Saab 9-3 costs $43,400, is smaller inside and has a 2.0 low pressure turbo.
So why write an article purporting to compare the two? Because as I alluded to in my earlier writeup, driving this brand new and much lauded Toyota sedan, I came to remember many of the things that I appreciate about driving my Saabs.
Here’s what I learned:
feel matters
The Aurion produces more power and more torque than my Viggen. It puts all that grunt and twist through the front wheels and yet there isn’t a hint of torque steer. The engine is quiet and there’s relatively little road or wind noise.
That should be a recipe for a nice, engaging ride. But it isn’t.
This car is the automotive equivalent of a toaster. It’s a mere transportation appliance. There’s absolutely no feel to it at all that lets the driver know that they’re part of the process, part of the activity that is driving.
Accelerate and the trees move faster on the outside, but you feel virtually no change on the inside. Turn in and things move slowly sideways, but there’s nothing coming through the steering wheel to give you any feedback whatsoever. Take a longer journey and I imagine you’ll arrive quite refreshed as there’s every chance you’ll sleep through most of it. It’s about as interesting as a spoon, but with fewer enjoyable applications.
The Viggen has only three-quarters of the power and about the same torque, but it feels much quicker and about 30 times more engaging. And all this from a supposedly lesser chassis. My 23 year old Saab 900 provides a much more interesting driving experience, is more comfortable and easier to operate. That’s engineering and design for you.
character matters
Somewhat related to the ‘feel’ mentioned above, but perhaps more to do with design.
Most Japanese designs are terribly derivative and date very quickly, and Toyota’s current design language will fade within 2 or 3 years - guaranteed.
We got the Aurion back to the office and parked it next to a current model Corolla painted in the same Ash Silver. It was only a foot or so shorter than the Aurion (I don’t know how the Camry fits between these) and they made each other look like mutated clones.
The preservation of Saab’s design language and signature elements is so much a key to its identity. I hope the designers never lose sight of this due to something as silly as feeling some sort of need to do something different.
reliability matters
Advantage Aurion.
In reliability terms, Toyota are widely regarded as one of the quality kings. I’m convinced their growth has come primarily from recognising that women were going to be big players in the car market, and what they wanted more than anything else was to never be stranded by the side of the road. So they’ve sold squillions of reliable little Corollas as a result, and engineered the same reliability into their larger cars.
Saab’s reputation for reliability seems to differ from place to place. The Swedes think they’re great but in many other places they’re regarded as occasionally problematic. I know several mechanics personally who’ve sworn never to work on them based on their experiences with old Saabs and how strange they were.
Modern Saabs are improving. In a recent test of premium sport sedans in the US, Consumer Reports recommended only two cars out of a group of four - a BMW and the Saab 9-3. Whilst concerns remain about CR’s methodology, this is still encouraging news.
ergonomics matter
I’m quite convinced that during the design and development phase of our previous work car, a Mitsubishi Magna wagon, no-one actually sat in it before it was shown to a potential customer. There’s no way someone could actualy sit in that thing and then make a conscious decision to spend megabucks on making it.
The Aurion’s definitely a step ahead of the Magna, but still light years behind a Saab. We may complain about some of the materials or looks of the Saab’s 9-3’s interior, but never complain about the excellent ergonomics. I can slip into a Saab and feel right at home within minutes. It’s intuitive, functional, and more than anything else, it lets my body go where it wants to go.
The Aurion’s grab handles get in the way when you want to lower the window. The radio controls are too far away. The push buttons on the steering wheel are too stiff. And despite a fully adjustable electric driver’s seat, I still can’t get comfortable.
MEMO TO SAAB - put the 9-3’s window switches back in the centre, please. It’s a design cue and it’s way more functional and comfortable than in the doors. This is a Saab trait. Being in the doors is an everyone-else trait.
build matters
Old Saabs are a bit like an old pair of shoes. They mold themselves into a certain shape after a while and trying to fit another panel can be a tricky business. I remember helping Saabill fit a hood from one of his 99 Turbos to another for a club exhibit we did a while ago and the gaps were ridiculous.
New Saabs are pretty darn good in this regard. I don’t think I’ve heard of a panel gap complaint with a modern Saab.
I figured with their precision engineering that a Toyota would be pretty good in this regard too, but check these pictures out….
This is the trunk gap. They’ve made the job more difficult for themselves with the bulges they put there, but regardless, the gap goes from around 2.5mm to around 5mm on this line. It looks shocking.
The fuel filler looks OK from this angle….
But run your fingers over the gap on the hinged side, or take a photo from above and you’ll see the terrible fitment that’s somehow passed muster at the Toyota plant.
Similarly with the rear lights. It seems the rear end has caused no end of trouble with this car. The lines should match up here, but there’s a few mm difference in where the tail lights meet from the body and the trunk.
I might be nit-picking here, but at the end of the day, these things all add up. This is why….
premium matters
Saabs aren’t a luxury vehicle, although if you spent your time growing up with old Holdens and Toyotas then they certainly feel luxurious. In the grand automotive scheme of things, Saab are an entry-level luxury or ‘premium’ vehicle.
The extra you pay should be reflected in the design, the character, the road feel, the driving experience, the quality materials, the ergonomics, the reliability and the build quality. Traditionally speaking, Saab have done OK with most of these traits, but I won’t try and hide from the fact that they could do better with some of them as well.
My brief time so far with this newly designed and critically praised Toyota has made me thankful that I discovered Saabs. It’s reminded me once again that my favourite little car company from Sweden is capable of some pretty special things.
If you want a transportation appliance, buy a Toyota or any of the other like-minded vehicles out there.
If you want a great car to drive that’ll put a smile on your face, keep you safe, reward you and carry you in great surrounds, then stick with your Saab.
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Excellent stance. I appreciate the non-cliche journalistic approach to looking at the Toyato and comparing to the Saab brand. Heritage, ergonomics, safety, and utility (not to mention a fun car) embody the spirit of Saab… many qualities that most manufacturers lack.
I would have never thought to look at the mold gaps between panels. It is an interesting category to look at in comparisons.
Imagine if Toyota had a version of Saab’s smiling line drawn driver … he would certainly not have that look of excitement … he’d be asleep.
Great write up Swade.
“The Aurion produces more power and more torque than my Viggen. It puts all that grunt and twist through the front wheels and yet there isn’t a hint of torque steer.”
The Aurion’s (what we know as Camry) 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 produces 268 bhp at 6200 rpm with 248 lb·ft of torque at 4700 rpm. There’s the reason why you didn’t get a hint of torque steer.
These cars are appliances for the masses who want reliable conveyances from Pt. A to Pt. B. I respect that (my parents used to own one and it was faultlessly reliable). It just ain’t me. Nor for most Saabers.
Nice barefoot photography there, Swade
Here is Wikipedia’s definition of “Scandinavian design” which should apply to Saab too:
“design movement characterised by simple, uncomplicated designs, minimalism, stylisation, functionality, and low cost mass production.”
Saabken,
But a Honda or Subaru driver would
Both are “Born from Jets” too.
I believe the Aurion in Australia is simply a reworked Camry in the US.
I do agree though that this generation of Camry has taken a step back in quality. Even CR finally had to slam the Camry…
jchan2,
The latest C&D issue comparo of 7 sedans had the Camry in 5th place. But Motor Trend had it in 1st, while putting Accord in 2nd.
“It’s about as interesting as a spoon.”
That quote almost made me shoot coffee
thru my nose!
Nice work Swade, well done. When I read the post’s and see the pictures of the poor workmanship some Saabers complain about, I go and check my car. I can’t find these problems. You just have to love the Saab for the complete package. Sad to see the dealer network dwindle down.
i had to drive a toyota solara for a while. very similar experience to yours. it felt like i was driving a pillow. no connection at all between the wheel and the road. despite its multitude of safety features, i still was uneasy about the disconnection i felt while driving it.
Just think, “roughing it” in the Toyota will make you appreciate your SAAB all the more.
When I have had my SAAB in for service, I would mostly receive the old Caddy CTS. Slipping behind the wheel of my SAAB after the Caddy puts a HUGE smile on my face and makes me realize what a great choice I made in buying my SAAB.
Trust me Steve, the panel gaps on american camry’s arent nearly as heinous. At least in terms of body fit-and-finish I think alot of the poor workmanship on that aurion is because it’s an australia-only car. The bodywork that the aurion wears in the front and rear is only available in Australia, talk about low-volume production! I think Toyota likely let the quality slide because this car is aimed at such a tiny market, the camry’s front and rear ends are much better put together (even if they’re much more hideous as well).
The whole problem with comparing Saabs to Toyotas on ANY level is that they are completely different cars aimed at completely different markets. Toyota makes a wonderfully reliable A to B appliance on wheels (that just happens to be more powerful than a 9-3 aero) but because of that there is nearly nil buyer crossover between Saab and Toyota buyers.
They are just totally different classes of cars and while the Toyota buyer may be able to live with some poor interior materials and panel fit-and-finish here and there, it likely won’t affect their purchase decision because of the excellent perceived reliability of the car. Toyota is still at the top of the pile in terms of perceived reliability, and that’s all it needs to sell it’s appliances to people wanting basic, no-frills transportation.
The entry-luxury market is far less forgiving, particularly because the buyers are much more discriminating. These people are willing to look past reliability problems if a car drives nicely enough, has a nice enough interior or has a prestigious enough badge. Unfortunately this means that the prospective entry-luxury sports sedan buyer will sit in the 9-3, look at it’s poor interior materials, unimpressive “on paper” performance numbers and aging platform and will be much more ruthless than the Toyota buyer would be. They’ll likely have test-driven the other cars in the 9-3’s price range that include the aging but still competitive A4, the 3-series with it’s unbeatable badge value, the excellent and sporty G35, the equally impressive IS sedans, the impeccably reliable TL as well as the new CTS and maybe even the cheaper C-class models. While the Saab’s flaws are forgivable to us Saab enthusiasts, to the much-needed prospective first-time Saab buyer they are all but unforgivable, and the dropping Saab sales numbers attest to that.
My frustration with GM/Saab about the current situation is personal. A year or two ago I was a die-hard Volvo enthusiast and student looking to purchase my first nice used car. I was cross-shopping E39 540i 6-speeds, Audi A6 4.2’s and 2.7t’s, Jaguar XJR’s, and Volvo S60 T5’s when my friend, an S60R owner saw the 9-5’s at Boston’s Swedish Car Day and suggested I look at those as well.
Well to make a long story short I fell in love with the deep engine note, winter practicality, awesome highway power, and general unusualness of the 9-5 Aero, and most importantly the fact that it could outrun most any other large sport sedans of it’s era (short of the M5 or XJR) while having a unique personality that the other cars just lacked. I had test-driven the other cars before and I always walked away mulling them over, I test-drove my first 9-5 Aero and I purchased the car within a week.
On paper it offered similar performance to the 540i both off the line and especially from a roll, while having an interior that made up for some iffy materials here and there with many unique features that I have never seen in any non-Saab, (BMW’s included).
My problem with Saab’s current situation is that I’m looking to purchase a brand-new car within the next 2 or 3 years, and frankly I don’t think that Saab’s current lineup is anywhere near as competitive relative to the competition as my 9-5 Aero was back in 2000 when it rolled off the assembly line. I want very much to be able to buy a new Saab with the same unique personality that my car has, with all of the interior gadgets, with the blistering acceleration relative to the competition and with an interior that’s as nice today as the 9-5 interior was in 1997. Unfortunately I’ve driven the 9-3 and I’ve driven it’s competition and it doesn’t come nearly as close to measuring up to the competition as my Aero did to the Germans I shopped it against. I just feel that they’ve really raised the game while Saab has been allowed to slump unacceptably relative to where the brand once stood.
Swade, remember that the Aurion is built in Aussie. As much as it pains me, this speaks volumes.
I think you peice is quite good but it doesn’t mention that one very important aspect of new car ownership, quality/reliability/availability of service to back it all up. This is one area where Toyota is king (groan).
I’m saying this because one of the reasons i’ve been checking out SAAB is because the level of service on my current car, from one of the largest (and arguably better) car makers has been appalling. Great car, dreadful service.
Simple things such as appropriate settings on the handbrake have been ignored which makes me wonder what they actually do when receiving my car for servicing.
Even changing centres hasn’t helped. Now i see that the SAAB centre at Paramatta is no longer a separate entity and fully merged into the HOLDEN dealership.
This trend has swayed me against buying the 9-3 for the time being. I have never been much of a Toyota fan for the reasons everyone is talking about here but i confess that i am now looking at the Aurion as an alternative. I think i will more likely go with Subaru Liberty first but need to check customer satisfaction with their servicing.
Alex wrote:
“My problem with Saab’s current situation is that I’m looking to purchase a brand-new car within the next 2 or 3 years, and frankly I don’t think that Saab’s current lineup is anywhere near as competitive relative to the competition as my 9-5 Aero was back in 2000 when it rolled off the assembly line.”
Eeeeh Noo I guess that the 9-5 has evolved.. Kinda´
Mate… Are you serious? You are looking to purchase a new car withing 2-3 years and don´t think that Saab will satisfy your needs?
Alex.. You have to be joking.. Ofcourse Saab freakin´will!!! More than enough.
A business contact of mine called me up today (Audi guy) just to tell me that he was definetely buing the 9-4! Until then he would “settle” for the 9-3 TTiD SC (Picture comming) He choose the 9-3 because of it´s supperior sound proofing, torque+Bhp/SEK and all over feel, over the NEW A4 and because of Saabs commintment to safety. Jörgen that compared the two said that the choice was less difficult than changing underware when having a rash
No comment…
You know, I think swade is just jealous that he didn’t get a TRD Aurion:
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/08/20/toyota-australia-launches-trd-aurion-with-323-h/
I have a feeling that one still might be missing something though.
Just something on Scandinavian design. Sweden i guess is most known design-ways (leaving out Ikea) for extremely high quality glass production. Kosta Boda, Orrefors, Rejmyre etc. I guess the Orrefors site is a good one to understand what Scandinavian design is.
http://www.orrefors.com
Expensive stuff
“Tompa // Feb 7, 2008 at 7:40 am
Mate… Are you serious? You are looking to purchase a new car withing 2-3 years and don´t think that Saab will satisfy your needs?
Alex.. You have to be joking.. Ofcourse Saab freakin´will!!! More than enough.”
I’m honestly not sure, if the interiors of the new cars have more hard plastic and parts bin bits than the Malibu like the current 9-3 interior does I’ll be highly dissappoint. Same goes with having the “halo” models making the lackluster power that the Turbo X does. The new cars also need the crisp steering, firm chassis and responsive handling that their rwd competitors have, of course the 9-3 compares favorably and has good tactile feedback compared to a Camry, but how does it stack up against it’s actual competition, the G35, A4 or 3-series.
I want very much for Saab to make a sporty, unique car that doesn’t feel like it was thrown together from the leftovers of the other GM divisions, but if Saab doesn’t seriously raise it’s game with the 9-1 and 9-5 I’ll be forced to leave the brand for something like a 135i or R32.
If you want to do a really good comparison Swade, try driving a Mazdaspeed 3 (or whatever they call it in OZ). Being a 5-door hatch with a direct-injected 2.3 liter inline 4 channeling ~260 hp through the front wheels, it’s definitely as Saab-like as anything you can find in the Saab dealerships right now. Now THAT would be an interesting “sake vs lutafisk” comparison…