LEANER, lower and altogether sleeker, the Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon looks like a car that has been taking its New Year's resolutions seriously.

Its chunkier predecessor has been replaced by an almost coupé-like silhouette, which backs up the car's sportier aspirations.

So it looks in better shape, but it is only by getting behind the wheel of a Saab that you can fully appreciate the car's appeal.

Quiet, solid and refined, the 9-3, with its taught chassis and independent rear suspension, maintains Saab's enviable reputation for producing cars capable of eagerly and effortlessly soaking up long distances without fuss.

While a Saab driver's seat is a calm, composed and comfortable place to be, the passengers do pretty well too. Climate control comes with a dual-zone system fitted as standard, allowing different temperature settings for the left or right-hand side of the interior. It includes automatic airflow balance to compensate for temperature changes if one side of the car is in direct sunlight.

The marketing bumf would have you believe the car is built 'from the driver outwards'. But the logical instrumentation and switchgear layout and the way the main instrument panel arcs around the driver suggests there may be more to this than just sales spiel. Saab's aircraft-making background shows through in the cockpit design and the use of systems to minimise distraction to the driver.

'Night panel' instrument illumination dims, or turns off, all the instruments apart from the speedometer to reduce visual clutter'. Another system senses when the driver is under pressure, perhaps when turning, or using heavy braking, and briefly suppresses in-car warning messages or phone calls.

A wide range of functions can be pre-set, according to personal preference, including the climate control, clock/alarm, speed-scale illumination, parking assistance, rain-sensitive wipers and anti-theft alarm.

Saab is justifiably proud of its safety record and as well as the 9-3's exceptionally strong bodyshell, which delivers good handling, refinement and safety, all 9-3 models have active head restraints to reduce the effects of whiplash, load-limiting seat-belts, dual-stage front airbags and roof rail airbags. Priced from just over £17,000, the range includes lightweight, aluminium, petrol-powered V6 and four-cylinder turbo engines; common rail, direct and multiple injection, 1.9-litre turbocharged diesels; six- and five-speed automatic and manual transmissions and five specification levels.

Plenty of choice for the thinking man's Ford Mondeo.

Auto facts Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon Vector Sport

  • Price: £23,255
  • Ins group: 12E
  • Fuel consumption (Combined): 48.7mpg
  • Top speed: 131mph
  • Length: 463.5cm/182.5in
  • Width: 176.2cm/69.4in
  • Luggage capacity: 15 cu ft
  • Fuel tank capacity: 12.7 gallons/58 litres
  • CO2 emissions: 157g/km
  • Warranty: 3 years/60,000 miles