Saab 9-3 is available in 4 body styles with different measurements. Cabriolet variants measure at between 4629 mm (182.24 in.) and 4635 mm (182.48 in.) in length, 1711 mm (67.36 in.) and 1762 mm (69.37 in.) in width, and 1434 mm (56.46 in.) and 1440 mm (56.69 in.) in height, Station wagon variants – between 4654 mm (183.23 in.) and 4670 mm (183.86 in.) in length, 1762 mm (69.37 in.) and 1782 mm (70.16 in.) in width, and 1496 mm (58.9 in.) and 1507 mm (59.33 in.) in height, Hatchbacks are 4629 mm (182.24 in.) in long, 1711 mm (67.36 in.) wide, and 1428 mm (56.22 in.) tall, and Sedans - 4635 mm (182.48 in.) long, 1762 mm (69.37 in.) wide, 1466 mm (57.72 in.) tall.
Curb weight of Saab 9-3 is between 1295 kg (2854.99 lbs.) and 1710 kg (3769.9 lbs.), with hatchback variants generally being the lightest, and the station wagon variants – the heaviest.
Output in the Saab 9-3 range varies between 115 Hp and 260 Nm of torque (1998 Saab 9-3 I 2.2 TiD) 280 Hp and 370/ 400 Nm of torque (2005 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi II 2.8 i V6; 2008 Saab 9-3 Sedan II (facelift 2007) 2.8 i V6 24V; 2008 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi II (facelift 2007) 2.8T V6).
There are several options for the fuel tank capacity of Saab 9-3 - 58 l (15.32 gal), 61 l (16.11 gal), 62 l (16.38 gal), 64 l (16.91 gal), and 68 l (17.96 gal), depending on the variant.
All Saab 9-3 Cabriolet variants feature petrol engines.
There is one Saab 9-3 variant with all-wheel drive - 2007 Saab 9-3 Sport Combi II (facelift 2007) 2.0T (210 Hp) XWD. All other Saab 9-3 vehicles are front-wheel-drive.
Saab 9-3 vehicles are more often described as unreliable than as reliable, with different variants having different common problems. Timing chain guides wearing out quickly, turbo and ignition coil failures, oil leaks, oil sludge, and tonneau cover mechanism issues in convertibles are some of the issues reported.