Saab 9-5 (pronounced "nine-five") is available in three trim levels, or "Forms." The 9-5 Linear, Arc, and Aero each offer a distinct personality. Essentially, they match interior styles and engine performance to suit the different personalities and priorities of their owners. Each is available as a four-door sedan or as a SportWagon.
Linear models are luxurious cars powered by Saab's 185-horsepower 2.3-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Linear sedan ($33,995) and wagon ($34,695) come with an impressive level of standard equipment, including leather upholstery with leather door-panel inserts, a walnut-trimmed instrument panel, power front seats with electric heat, power sliding sunroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, cabin air filter, power windows, power central locking, steering-wheel audio controls, AM/FM/CD/cassette stereo with seven speakers, front and rear fog lights, ABS, and traction control. For 2003, Linear also comes with Electronic Stability Control (ESP), a great active safety feature.
Arc is designed to emphasize a sports-luxury touring role and is powered by a 200-horsepower 3.0-liter turbocharged V6. Arc sedan ($33,650) and wagon ($39,350) comes standard with the new Sentronic five-speed automatic transmission, which can be manually shifted using buttons on the steering wheel. Standard features include ventilated leather seats with electric heat plus their own internal three-speed fan to circulate cooling air in the summer. Gotta have 'em. Rear seats are heated as well and are much appreciated by rear-seat passengers. A nine-speaker Harmon/Kardon stereo helps pass the hours on those long trips you'll want to take.
Aero models offer the ultimate in performance with a 2.3-liter High-Output Turbo (HOT) four-cylinder engine rated 250 horsepower. Yes, you read that right: The Aero's four-cylinder engine is hotter than the Arc's V6. Aero wagon and sedan come with a sports suspension and 17-inch wheels, and are distinguished by unique exterior styling cues, special bolstered leather sport seats and metallic-finish dash trim. Aero models cost the same as the Arc models, but the power-ventilated leather seats are optional ($995).
The Sentronic automatic transmission is optional on Linear and Aero ($1300).