Loading

What Saab has a Chevy engine?

The Saab 9-7X is the Saab model most closely associated with a Chevrolet engine, as it was built on GM's GMT360 platform and shares the 4.2-liter inline-six engine used in Chevy TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy.


When Saab operated under General Motors, GM powertrains were shared across brands, and the 9-7X stands out as the clearest example of a Saab built around a Chevrolet/GM engine. This reflects GM's broader strategy of platform and engine sharing within its brands during Saab's GM-era.


GM powertrains in Saab cars


GM's influence on Saab's drivetrains manifested most visibly in cross-brand engineering during the GM era. The Saab 9-7X remains the best-known illustration, but GM-sourced powertrains appeared in various Saab models across the lineup during that period.


Spotlight: Saab 9-7X


The Saab 9-7X (2005–2009) was developed on GM's GMT360 platform, a shared architecture with several GM mid-size SUVs. Its engine—the 4.2-liter inline-six—was the same basic family used in Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy, making the 9-7X the most direct example of a Saab powered by a Chevrolet/GM engine.


Key facts about the engine and platform


Key facts about how the Saab 9-7X ties to Chevy/GM powertrains:



  • Engine: 4.2-liter inline-six shared with Chevrolet TrailBlazer and GMC Envoy.

  • Platform: GM GMT360-based chassis common to several GM SUVs.

  • Production window: 2005–2009, reflecting Saab's integration into GM's powertrain strategy.


Overall, the Saab 9-7X stands as the clearest example of a Saab model with a Chevrolet engine, due to its GM-origin powertrain and cross-brand platform.


Summary: While various Saab models used GM-sourced components during the GM era, the 9-7X remains the quintessential example of a Saab equipped with a Chevy engine, courtesy of its shared GMT360 platform and 4.2-liter inline-six powertrain.

Did Chevy make Saab?


Saab is a now-defunct Swedish automotive manufacturer that became known in the 1980s for safety and small turbocharged engines. General Motors acquired the brand in 2000 and turned it into another GM division.



Does Saab use GM engines?


The 9-5 has a Saab engine. The 9-3 has a GM engine.



What Saab has a LS engine?


Both the Saab 9-7X Aero and the Chevrolet Trailblazer SS came with the 6.0L LS2 V8 engine, the same engine used in the 2005 to 2007 model of the Chevrolet Corvette modified for use in GMT360 vehicles, producing 390 hp (291 kW) and 400 lb⋅ft (542 N⋅m) of torque.



What Saab came with the V8 engine?


Saab 9-7X
Apart from the badge-engineered Saab 9-7X, the only other Saab to have a factory-installed V8 was a Saab 9-5 with a prototype GM XV8 engine mounted for evaluation.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.