What is a saabaru?
The Saabaru is the Saab-badged version of a Subaru, best known for the Saab 9-2X, a limited-run model born from a mid-2000s collaboration between Saab and Subaru under General Motors. In short, it refers to badge-engineered Subaru models sold under the Saab banner.
In practice, Saab used Subaru's Impreza wagon as the foundation for a distinct Saab-flavored product sold in the United States. The name “Saabaru” is a fan-created shorthand that captures this unusual cross-brand pairing, which produced a rare, all-wheel-drive compact wagon during a brief window in Saab’s history.
Origins and branding
During the GM era, Saab and Subaru collaborated to expand Saab’s lineup by rebranding a Subaru-conceived vehicle with Saab styling and branding. The resulting model became popularly known as the Saabaru, with emphasis on the Saab identity while sharing the proven Subaru Impreza platform and AWD system. The collaboration was short-lived, and the term has stuck mainly in enthusiast circles as a way to describe these badge-engineered cars.
The Saab 9-2X: the core Saabaru model
Here are the key characteristics and variations of the Saabaru, centered on the Saab 9-2X platform.
- Based on Subaru’s Impreza wagon platform, integrating Saab exterior and interior styling cues.
- Built by Subaru in its Gunma, Japan facility for Saab, then distributed primarily in the United States.
- Sold for a brief period, with model years around 2005 and 2006, making it a relatively rare entry in Saab’s history.
- Two main trim levels: Linear (more basic, comfort-oriented) and Aero (sport-focused, with upgraded equipment and appearance).
- All-wheel drive is a standard feature, reflecting Subaru’s longstanding AWD focus and Saab’s emphasis on safety and handling.
- Distinctive Saab branding, grille and interior touches set these cars apart from their Subaru siblings.
- Limited production and niche market contributed to a short lifespan for the Saabaru concept.
In a nutshell, the Saab 9-2X served as the flagship Saabaru model, combining Saab’s brand identity with Subaru engineering in a compact wagon format. Its limited run helps explain why it remains a topic of curiosity among collectors and automotive historians.
Saab 9-2X Linear
The Linear variant represented the more everyday, comfort-oriented Saabaru experience, prioritizing practicality and Saab-styled features over performance enhancements. It offered a straightforward setup with the core AWD drivetrain and Saab interior touches, appealing to buyers seeking reliability and Saab aesthetics in a compact wagon.
Saab 9-2X Aero
The Aero variant was the sportier interpretation, featuring more aggressive styling cues and a focus on handling dynamics. It combined the Subaru platform with Saab’s performance-oriented ambitions, delivering a more spirited driving experience relative to the Linear model.
End of the program and legacy
Here’s why the Saabaru era came to an end and what remains in memory today.
- Corporate restructuring under GM and shifts in Saab’s corporate strategy reduced the viability of badge-engineered collaborations like the Saabaru.
- Saab faced financial challenges and ownership changes in the late 2000s, which curtailed joint ventures and limited opportunities for new cross-brand projects.
- The limited production run of the 9-2X meant only a small number of cars reached the market, contributing to its rarity and cult appeal among enthusiasts.
- Today, the Saabaru is remembered as a curious, endearing footnote in both Saab’s and Subaru’s histories—a rare example of two brands sharing a platform while retaining distinct identities.
Although the program did not endure, the Saabaru remains a talking point for fans of badge engineering and automotive history, illustrating how cross-brand collaborations can yield unique, if short-lived, products.
Summary
A Saabaru refers to Saab-badged Subarus, most famously the Saab 9-2X, a limited-run model built on the Subaru Impreza platform in the mid-2000s. It represents a brief, notable collaboration between Saab and Subaru under GM’s umbrella, producing a rare all-wheel-drive wagon that has since become a quirky collectible in automotive history.
Which Saab is a Subaru?
The Saab that is a Subaru is the Saab 9-2X, also nicknamed the "Saabaru". It was a rebadged Subaru Impreza wagon produced from 2005 to 2006, sharing its platform, mechanicals, and engines with the Impreza, including Subaru's signature flat-four "boxer" engine.
- Underlying platform: The 9-2X was built on the second-generation Subaru Impreza wagon platform.
- Engine and drivetrain: It used Subaru's 2.5-liter flat-four engine in its standard form, and the turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer engine from the WRX in the Aero model. The all-wheel drive system was also sourced from Subaru.
- Production: The cars were built in Japan by Fuji Heavy Industries, the parent company of Subaru, and then shipped to Saab for final assembly and branding.
- Design: While the front end had Saab styling, the rear and many of the mechanical components were identical to the Subaru Impreza.
- Purpose: General Motors, which owned Saab at the time, collaborated with Subaru to create a sport wagon for the Saab lineup, as Saab did not have a model to compete in that segment.
What year is the Saabaru?
Officially dubbed the Saab 9-2X, the car that was launched for the '05 model year would soon become known as the “Saabaru." It was built in Japan and used the platform and powertrains of the Subaru Impreza wagon but with restyled front and rear fascias to keep the Saab family resemblance going.
What is a saaburu?
Yeah those are Saab aero 92x, basically a collaboration between Saab and Subaru back in the day for tax credit stuff, but a cool car. Basically a Subaru WRX STI wagon with a slightly different front and rear end design and Saab interior bits.
Can you buy a Saab in the US?
No, new Saabs are not sold in the US because the car company went bankrupt in 2011 and stopped producing cars in 2014. While the original car manufacturer is defunct, you can still find and purchase used models, and parts are still available for existing vehicles on the road.
- No new models: Saab's passenger car business ended in 2011, and its last cars were sold in the US around 2012.
- Used cars: You can find many used Saab models for sale in the US. There is a notable market and community for these cars.
- Parts and service: A company called Saab Automobile Parts North America (now Orio) is the largest supplier of official Saab parts and continues to support existing cars with a network of service centers across the United States.
- "Saab" the name: The Saab name continues in other industries, such as defense and aerospace, but not in the passenger car market.
