Richard Hammond and Swedish Cars! (Feat. Saab and Volvo)
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- čas přidán 1. 10. 2013
- Today on Men & Motors Richard Hammond reviews the Saab 9-5 Estate and the Volvo V70 comparing their style, performance and practicality as estate cars. Are they cars you would consider buying?
[This clip is from Motor Week: Season 6, Ep. 18, originally aired 22/06/00. The full episode can be watched here: • Motor Week: Season 6, ... ]
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If you like jets, choose the Saab.
If you like tanks, choose the Volvo.
But the Saab is nothing like a Jet, whilst the Volvo...
Soulware3D It has the same badge as some jet fighters.
Völundr Frey The planes uses a volvo engine, just saying
If you like a piece of shit, buy any american car.
The saab is built like a tank just as much or more than the volvo
My son wrote off my 9-5 but it saved his life. Great car. RIP SAAB
I always found the seat comfort about the same on Saab and Volvo as well as build quality. It's a shame Saab isn't around anymore. A real shame.
Just bought an 18 years old Black 9-5 Aero estate! It's so cool 😎
Bas Verweij how much did it cost?
It was a little under €6000 so it wasn’t extremely cheap. Such a different car then the 9-3 Aero we had before. Much more ship-like ;) great comfy fam car. And quick! And not so fuel efficient even when driving economical. Around 8.9 liters on 100 km when I try my best. 😎 Oh, and I love the cassette deck! Even made some new mix-tapes.... #oldschool
@@nomadvideomachine I have been riding it for 10 years already (car md`98, 700,000 km run). Salon beige leather with perforation. Everything is great, the cassette deck has been upgraded to a new one - in the old one, the playback head has been erased))). Music from the cassettes plays amazingly when recorded on good decks (my gold TEAC 8030S).
If you disassemble the Harman amplifier, there will be a Becker GmbH board inside. Improve the sound: press and hold the BAND button at the same time as you switch on the Audio System. You can choose the tone compensation to your liking!
Updated almost all the speakers with the new 2 ohm Infinity (9 speakers in total). In terms of fuel consumption - methane gas equipment DIGITRONIC was installed (the volume of the trunk is large, allows to deliver it and still a lot of space left). And the fuel consumption is about $5 per 300 kilometers of mileage, and it does not matter anymore economical driving and air conditioning)).
In general, good machine, SAAB 9-5, it is out of time.
@@KenKeisi thanks! Some great advice!!
How was it?
I would not mind 10 chinese and or korean brands go bust but it has been very difficult getting over the fact that SAAB is no more... - a saab owener
😿😿😿
I can totally agree with that. It's similar to LG Mobile in the smartphone world. People still want them to come back.
Definitely... There's very, very little that's as satisfying as a 9000
Yea I love Saabs too! But not even in production
I agree. GM should never have bought them in the first place and they should have been saves by the Swedish state.
RIP Saab,
RIP Top Gear.
RIP Volvo as well
@@KarolisHD Volvo isn't going anywhere
@@999roxtambler Lost it's character completely though, but that's understandable in today's market sadly.
@@AndreasFunnell Not completely
Saab placed the key in the center so that during a crash the key wont drive itself into your leg or knee causing serious damage. It also locks the gearbox so hot wiring the car and breaking the steering wheel means you cant drive the car away. unless you want to go backwards!!
quattro610
Actually they key in the centre was for a faster start. The drivers had to sprint to the car at the start of the race.
Back in the day, racing cars like Porsche placed the key closet to the door so the driver could start it while jumping in. SAAB put it in the centre for the same reason.
Lol and the Newest Volvo's have it in the centre as a tribute to Saab.
@@volvocub2629 SAAB didn't build racecars tho...
@@volvocub2629 Also, do you have a source from Volvo stating that they "tributed" SAAB with the key placement? You don't think that has to do with simplicity in design and functionality? All new cars are built like that.
Lol one of the big car reviewers reported that. I can only assume they know more about the bits that make a car go than me. Lol
@@volvocub2629 Who?
I'm amazed how he talked down the seat comfort in the V70 since that generation of Volvo seats are the most aclaimed for their comfort world wide.
ExuberantRaptor saab is way more comfy have driven both saab 9-5 and v70 and i like the 9-5 much more
Nothing beats Saab seats. Volvo seats are good, but nothing close to what saab offers
He wasn't in a t5... they have the comfy bolsters. This is a 2.4t I believe, low pressure turbo...50 less hp than a t5.
rasse bengtsson Interesting. I’ve owned a 2004 V70 and a 2004 9-5 and I found the seats in the V70 to be more comfortable. The 9-5 was still extremely comfortable, however.
The comfort of the seats is outstanding in both cars. However, one thing that has to be taken into serious account is that the comfort of seats is very much up to the occupant in the car. Some prefer softer, others prefer harder seats.
i will take both, love swedish cars
Like the conegseg
did you even try to spell ?
Me to
#METOO
I own both, but saloons not wagons. What he says about the brakes is completely true. The Saab is so much faster than the Volvo though. Volvo goes around corners better.
Volvo and Saab'. For people that can think for themselves. If you want something at the same level as a BMW/Audi, but without the twat factor. Look no further (I have owned a Volvo, and currently own a Saab)
twat factor, lol
BMW Audi and Merc. I hate the ‘twat’ factor. Volvo’s and SAAB’s are not as offensive, and they’re certainly unique. Volvo and SAAB are the only other two manufacturers I trust besides Mercedes, for instance, when it comes to safety relative to their model year competitors.
All said, I drive Mercs but have a SAAB 9-5 Linear estate with a 2.3 low pressure turbo and 5 speed manual at my disposal. 212K miles.
Yeah, i drive a old v8 merc, but im getting a 200 or so hp v70n this summer, its just too damn loud. I want to have that performance without looking (sounding) like a prick. Also a 7 years more modern volvo is much more reliable
Adam Ball exactly!
We owned a 9-5 for 10 years and to click out the cupholder ist addicting you just can't stop!!!
I have owned A Mercedes W126 n drove a few times the big Volvo and Saab when they have been new. I a nut shell, I have now a Saab 9-5 n it brings me smile everday.
Having just bought a 2005 Saab 95 estate,I got a kick out of this. It is a joy to drive. I can't attest to the Volvo but the Saab is just pure joy, even at ten years out of the factory.
i am on the fence of a SAAB 9-5 or the Volvo VX70
well I've certainly been happy with my 9-5. Have not tested against the Volvo but performance is great, comfort is great, even in the base model.
i heard 9-3 is not as reliable as 9-5, because it's more of a GM than Saab.
Many people are saying that. But it's true, if you want car what feels totally different that any other what have you drive take the Saab 9-5.
If its gasoline and not diesel just make sure to change the oil twice as often than recomended. Saab has stated this aswell in hindsight.
The seats in the 95 are business class.
Both are very nice cars.Far more room than in a Bimer 5,far cheaper than a Merc E and as reliable, better in every point compared to an Audi A6.As a second-hand car, both are perfect matches for someone seeking for a nice luxury estate car at a very low price.
About to buy a Saab Estate so this is comforting
I’ve owned both a 2004 Saab 9-5 and a 2004 Volvo V70. The Saab was way more fun to drive but the Volvo was a lot more reliable.
Saab 95 is the best! I love my Saab, I will never let it go! 85,000 miles of super driving so far
Daniel Powell Saab 93 aero turbo here hello fellow comrade
V70 T5 is a closer rival to the 9-5 Aero, on power and price.
Agreed..but it's taken a few years to get there.
Haha lol saab was always ahead of volvo
Saab may have been ahead but where are they now?😢
They are gone
@@marcwarriner7058 A little too far ahead😔 At least they didnt turn to shit first
I'm now on my 4th SAAB.. I drive an 06 SAAB 93 vector 1.9TD
I can't speak highly enough of the SAAB. They just keep going and going and never miss a beat. My next SAAB will be the 95 Estate. As long as you look after your SAAB your SAAB will look after you. 🤓🍀🇮🇪
One of the three pratts actually reviewing a car! Wonderful - well done Richard! You're likeable in this!
Cookie UK 😂
I've owned both cars, and loved both cars, but I think Hammond was unnecessarily harsh on the Volvo. True, the Saab feels more luxurious, but the Volvo is close and is much more durable. The quality of the interior materials is much higher in the Volvo. This becomes quite apparent after about 5-10 years. The Saab all of a sudden feels flimsy, and the Volvo still feels brand new. Also, Hammond is just plain wrong about the seats. Saab's seats are very good, but the Volvo's seats are the best in any car period. I honestly haven't been able to find any that are even nearly as good, and that includes all the german brands. The Saab does indeed feel sportier. A lot sportier actually. The manual transmission is just about perfect, and the clutch is about the nicest I've ever experienced. The turbo lag is nicely subdued in the Saab, but it's very different in the Volvo. There is lag, (but no tourque steer) and then the power comes on with a shocking surge. It's made for highway passing, and believe me it is stunningly effective at that. You just have to drive it a bit differently than the Saab. Finally, the brakes on the Volvo are MUCH better than those on the Saab. In fact, they're better than the brakes in any other car I've ever experienced. That's the greatest safety device ever invented: serious serious brakes. They've saved me many times. The Saab is a beautiful car. So very fun to drive. But to me the Volvo has got it beat. I wish more manufacturers today still made cars of this quality.
I agree that Hammond was too harsh on the Vo. This is a much less biased review of the two cars. Also, the T5 and V70R are quite more powerful and sporty than the Volvo tested here; granted they arrived later in the game.
What is a car period?
I don't agree on many things you said. I have a 9-5 saab aero kombi. It is now 15 years old and nothings has came apart in the interior. Your assumption about volvo being much more durable than saab is dead wrong. Saab has always built long lasting cars. I have had 5 saabs and none of them fell apart as the years went on. I can agree that under gm ownership they became less durable but not in the extent you are talking about. Now that is another discussion when it comes to gm. But the seats, man please. There will never be any seats in the whole world that beat the 9-5 seats ever. And actually if you live in sweden and ask people who have drive both they will directly tell you the 9-5s are in another class. I mean it, i have sat in countless seats, whether a 2004 volvo v70 to different german cars, toyota and then to all the newer volvos from the v60, v70, v40 2015 to the v60 v90 newest generations. In none of thesr cars i feel more comfortable. I work at volvo so i know what i am talking about. My job consists of driving every new volvo out of the factory and park it. So i know them better than my own names. When it comes to brakes, i am surprised you say that the brakes of the 9-5 are weaker than the v70. It may sound like an exagerstion here but trust me, in an objective way, my9-5 aero brakes are astonishingly powerful. It is instant stop. I can't even press the pedal halfway and my eyes get out. Without any doubt it is almost as strong as the new volvos tjat i drive everyday! I was surprised at how bloody well they compared with the 2019s volvos i drive.
When it comes to performance, it is pretty known that saab has always had an edge in performance and driving pleasure. Starting from the 80s when they started putting turbos they were light years ahead of volvos in performance. As they years went on volvo catched up but still didn't give that sheer pleasure that the saab gave. I guess saab did it first with turbos and had a lot of experience with it
Saab seats were always miles ahead of Volvo's and Germans!
i agree on alot but the seats are just a lot more soft on the 9-5 aero. Most people will find the seats more comfortable in the 9-5. And high speed overtake saab feels alot faster then 30 hp gap. It feels like 70. Volvo 70r 250 hp feels better.
love how they kept the same cup holder for the 9-5 so long it was nuts
Was Hamster actually old enough to drive when he made this? :) He's sooooo sweet!
He he he! Hammond...looks about 12!
Jim Davis Still does.
yeah...
He might actually have been! ;-)
Is it me or has he had his teeth whitened?
Richard Hammond, the only person who could properly review cars before the CZcams times
In the moment i drived a car made by Saab for the first time,I realized how pleasant it's to drive such amazing machine.
I have an old Saab 9 5 03 diesel and the comfort in seats and even the clutch pedal lightness like finger touch is best ever if you have back problems also
I want them both! 🇸🇪🇸🇪
saab and volvo two amazing cars! fast and very safe!
My Saab is now 18 years old, that's what's Richard looks like in this video. ;)
I have never seen a better review of a Saab :D
my 1999 Saab 95 had the same cup holder loved it
"... and it looks like they always will." RIP SAAB.
i own basiclly the same 9-5 with same rims, wagon and arc and i gotta say its the best car ive ever owned (:
The wheels are fantastic and very rare! Lucky one you are ;)
The V70R please.
The Saab truly is a joy to drive in, whenever I get the chance I borrow it off of my aunt and uncle.
The 9-5 has a beautiful interior, much better than the Volvo. And the exterior is also more beautiful! :)
I think that the reason the Saab "won" in this case is because the cars are seen out of a different perspective. The brakes for example, of course they are sensitive and very effective, its all part of Volvos safety image. Chances are, if you grew up in Sweden and learned to drive there you know how to brake gently. And the luggage cover, you could see Richard didn't even try :P All it takes is a bit of patience and then your used to it. Still, the 9-5 is a great car and I have a lot of friends who still drive them.
Agree, volvo and saab are both really good cars. Our west neighbor really can build good cars :D
Both car brands:Saab and Volvo is in my opinion the finest of engineering made...Owned both Volvo and Saab i must say ...the quality and the safety is in my opinion the better Choice....Greetings Saab-and Volvo friend in Norway....
Fredd Nygård I think he lives in Finland if Sweden is in the west direction but yeah I totally agree! :D
The biggest problem the 9-5 had is it's older brother was just straight up a better car...
If you ask me, the only reason to have a 9-5 instead of a 9000 is if you absolutely cannot do without an estate.
Nicest car I ever own, losing saab was terrible, well done the wankers at GM
I too have the same saab estate same color 133000 miles in it no major work has ever been done except the turbo and clutch but minor considering I had just put 8000 into my Toyota landcruiser so I went back to owning a saab because my old ng900 never cost that much and is tell strong when I sold it.
The Volvos definitely don’t rust easily. Even the modern ones.
1 234 Both the s40 and v50 aren’t real volvos.
@@AndreasFunnell . Agreed. V50 is a Ford F**kus.
Love my 9-5 Estate. So nice
I owned lots of Saabs and Volvos and and have to say the Saabs were always the better cars especially the later 9-5 hot aeros which are still brilliant today😊
If i have to go to grocery shopping i take The Volvo V70, if i need go to work and i'm almost late i take Saab 9-5 Hirsch or Aero.
I used to have a Volvo 240 DL I sold that car with 285,000 m I never have any major problems love that car
5XSaabOwner here: I have put ~80K miles on my 2004 9-5 Estate, that I bought back in 2008. Whenever I have a passenger who is not familiar, they are always surprised
have that exact Saab accept it has 227k miles
I won't accept it.
So you've just driven it in?
ha! Mine is 235!!.... and er...is about to drop dead. Oh well....
Got 640.000 miles / 400.000km on my V70 and still going strong.
227 k for att Saab is small potatoes
I had briefly a SAAB Viggen. It was a wonderful car to drove. And Wished i could get another one.
I been driving both cars for years and must say Volvo do feel like a class above, much better balance, better seat for me, and give much more feeling of been put together better
That volvo? Lol
Mine has just died after 20 years ... depression sets in as I cannot find a like for like replacement ... cooled seats ( the best feature ever , gentle breeze on your proverbial when you are stuck in 35 deg heat traffic on a french motorway !) , sun roof , walnut veneer, full leather. trim. .. whatever made the company go out of business... :(
Yeah, love mine to bits.
Both cars came off the road & were presumably scrapped in 2017. If the MOT history is anything to go by, the SAAB(W407SCF) outlived the Volvo(W56DOK) by nearly 10 months, but the Volvo drove at least 20,000 more miles. The Volvo's MOT expired 01/30/17 with a last recorded mileage of 175,616. The SAAB's MOT expired 11/06/17 with a last recorded mileage of 155,306.
not a lot considering these cars can do 600 thousand KM
@@sviyy9396 UK consumer habits/throwaway culture and strict MOT testing usually leads to a shortened lifespan for any car sold there (compared to most other countries).
@@nyctereute9118 yeah i live in the netherlands 😂😂 tell me about it💔
What a well tempered review compared to those seen in the Grand Tour. :D
Lovely!
am i the only one that likes the exterior and interior of the volvo waaay more?
Hence why I own a volvo
LOL my dad is a Saab enthusiasts and my neighbor is a Volvo enthusiasts, and we're all friends. (I like Saab's more, but that's just in the family)
morgan jones me to
damqn atanasov No I prefer it too, interior in Saab is horrible to me
Same here
Saab has personality , and is a very comfortable car. So is the Volvo ..with less personality. The Volvo seem to be more reliable ... with less electronic problems etc. But i can't beat the Saab feeling . So i guess it is up to what you fancy. ?
The electronics in the Saab are actually really well made so they’re pretty close in reliability. The Saab is faster, safer, more comfortable, and better looking than the Volvo though
So he tested Saab Aero and Volvo 2.4T (LPT) not Volvo T5 (HPT)?
My V70 2.5 lpt would rape that saab (i reckon) and it's stock.
Yeah 2.5T is a great engine, loads of torque...
swagiejones 325 because he is
That's not an aero, it's the Gary Fischer model
@@Soulvex You mean it will get raped by the aero. You are obviously hallucinating haha. The 2.5T can wave at the aero at best
The dash is same design as the scania truck from the same era. in a cool Swedish way of course.
Hammond was wrong about all Saabs having the key on the transmission tunnel. My '93 9000 Aero had it on the steering column.
Edward Longshanks True, all 9000 had. The put it back in the 9-5 (and newer 9-3).
I liked it when we had the choice between two Swedish cars. Sad that is over :(
Imma get both thanks
But if you want a car that is faster than both these two, more comfy, more luggage space, more fun to drive and with a nice big analog clock in gage cluster.
Look no further than a Volvo 945 turbo with 3-4 steel washers on the waste gate rod to increase the boost and off you go.
I personally have a 944 turbo with a 2.3 liter inline 4, a chip on both the injection computer and the fuel computer, increased boost pressure, high flow air filter, 3 inch exhaust, and lowered with springs and dampers about 3cm to make it handle.
It outs out about 210 horses on the rear wheels or about 250 from the engine, and with it weighing in at only 1460 is it actually quite quick
Is it weird that I own one of each? A manual 2002 Saab 9-5 Aero and an automatic 2001 Volvo V70 2.4 (170hp version). The Saab is much more economic and has more comfortable seats, yes, but it was much easier to hook up a 12" subwoofer in the back of the Volvo. Touch screen stereo with bluetooth and the ability to download almost your entire phone (contact lists, etc) into the cars computer and being able to mix the sound however you pleased was quite nice, though.
IT'S THE HAMSTER!
Got a 926 3.0 someone done work on it before I bought it I need pickers of Hines from heater to engine between batery and engine along with any vac lines
Terry Bishop ???
I’ve had 9 Volvos - various models; 4 Saabs, all 9 5s. I do all the maintenance and restoration on my cars. IMO, the Saabs are the better machines. Quirky but relatively easy to work on with a few exceptions e.g. replacing the power steering lines. 9 5 seats are exceptionally comfortable and the cabin area very spacious. The 2.3L engine is easily modified to get more power (Saab engineers built a terrific motor) and the stock Mitsubishi turbo is the best. Sound system, ride are great. Transmission well done. Buy an old 9 5 and bring it back to life. Now a bonafide cult car with great availability of after market and OEM parts still available.
Saab cars always seem to be overlooked!
Only need me pipes on pas sortin ! It will be back on road again such a tough car !
saab and volvo are worlds most safest cars becouse in the north is more mooses so the cars have to be strong. for example saab 99 and opel corsa crash test in 80s showed that corsa got compleatly wrecked at 50km/h to a pole and at same speed saabs bumper took 80% of damage and becouse of it being fully soft rubber like tires, the hood and grille took only a scratch.
edit: saab 96 was made in finland and sweden and first saab 96 that was made in finland was made for that time finnish president, Urho Kekkonen. im finnish and i will drive in saab when i get money to buy new car.
Have an Aero hot and its so comfy and cool...
Both good and safe
yay saab
I love my Volvo XC70 with a 1.5 inch body lift and 2 inch suspension lift. I’ll take that over the SAAB any day.
I live in Sweden and I see that generation of V70s on a daily basis. The 9-5 however is a rarity, a much higher precentage has been scrapped by now.
Lesson to be learnt if you are a European car manufacturer, if GM wants to buy you, run for the hills or you'll end up like Saab and Opel...
Saab
I miss my old SAAB so much! I do not miss that stupid cup holder though. All it did was shake sticky drinks all over the radio and then break after also getting sticky and stuck in it’s stupid little slot.
Spot on - all the Volvo buyers only jumped on the name, never compared the 2 cars - otherwise they wouldn't have sold 1/3 of the ones they did...
Fierissima la Saab 9-5
For people who can think for themselves. Also nice to see Hammond presenting as he used to; before he 'lost the run of himself.'(I know, I know; the bigger boys made him do it)
amazing cars. Still a pity Saab is dead :(
And it's starting again again! ;)
Yep, but it will now be called Nevs since they are not able to use the icon name, Saab. Sorligt är det😢
Saab never died, we all ( faithful Saab owners ) ensured that. No car betters my 310hp hirsch early stage 2004 9-5 2.3 saloon. I love this car more than my wife. In fact, my beautiful Saab is going to be with me probably much longer than the wife tbh.
I own a V70 2.4t 200hp from 00'
i own both Saab 95 -2002 and a Volvo V70 -2001 and if you ask me which one i would prefer, hands down Volvo.
TheKorvbrodsbagarn I actually just posted a very similar comment. I owned a 2004 Saab 9-5 and a 2004 Volvo V70. The Saab was more fun to drive but the Volvo was much more reliable and comfortable. I preferred the Volvo because I knew I could get in it, start it up, and that it would just work. On the Saab I never knew what would go wrong next.
wow that was really stupid, its not that hard to hook the luggage cover hammond. he acts like its a difficult task.
that guy at WoW reviews Pulls the same exact stunt.. acts like every cover is impossible to use in that same over wrought style " oh my I can't get to lock " as he flings it hard backwards.
I'm a V70 owner myself and I'm not a fan of this design. They could have made it less absorbing to use. Besides it's very easy to damage the speaker covers in D pillars.
I’ve got an 01 v70 and I’ve taken the luggage cover out because it gets in the way
Hammond sounds like Alan Partridge in this.
Volvo 2.4T lpt is 200 hp Saab 2.3lpt is 185 hp if it’s 230 that’s the HPT Aero should’ve been pitted against the T5..... owned both cars. Love both. Still own the Volvo 😇
I own 08 95, and I've always hated the brakes. Otherwise everything hammond said is correct
Looks like Hammonds casting video, lol
Weren't Saabs made by Scania?
interesting, i found my 9-5 LPt and Aero Estate have definitely better brakes than the V70 (even after 302mm upgrade)
I miss Saab
WoW, Hammong O_o
1:51 he just disappears in the seat :p
Saab👌
Simple, logic and often used controlbuttons are safe and convinient, could have stopped around 1980
actually, the flashy shit just takes concentration from the driving and eats patience.
Both greate, he chose the wrong volvo tho
Really like the SAAB 9-5 2,3t Vector SPORT COM, just love it. Nice acceleration and nice comfort with nice looking car compared to the volvo V70 (Not that Volvo is a shit for a car).
Young Hammond was so handsome😍
Every single one of those Saab cup holders he raved over snaps off after it's second use in real life.
NorthernChev Mine hasn't
Just don`t stick a big gulp in there and you`ll be fine.
What? Are you using your finger or a hammer!
My current 9-5 is 15 years old. Still there, still holding drinks.
Well it's never happened to me in 7 years....
Saab all day long:-) Hence i have a 2008 95 AERO :-)
i like the saab more than the volvo
I've gone 150mph in all 4 of my Saabs. Amazing comfort and wonderful in the snow with proper winters. Now I have a 2020 Volvo V60 CC. It's wonderful too, can't wait for a big ass blizzard. I live just 1 hour north of Boston.
@@johngaudet6316 The new Volvos are nice. But of this era I liked saab more