Which Saab was a Subaru?
The Saab 9-2X is the Saab model that was effectively a Subaru, built on the Subaru Impreza platform and sold by Saab for a brief period in 2005–2006.
In detail, this unusual badge engineering came from a collaboration between Saab (then part of GM) and Subaru, resulting in a compact, all-wheel-drive hatchback that carried Saab styling and features while using Subaru mechanicals.
Origins and development
The 9-2X was created as Saab sought a small, sporty hatchback for North America, leveraging Subaru's proven AWD layout and Impreza underpinnings. The project reflected broader GM-brand collaborations of the era and produced a car that looked like a Saab but rode on a Subaru platform.
Key facts about its development and production are outlined below.
- Based on the Subaru Impreza platform, sharing its engines and all-wheel-drive system.
- Produced for the model years 2005 and 2006.
- Available in Linear and Aero trims, with the 2.5L engine and WRX-derived performance cues in the Aero version.
- Built by Subaru in Japan (Gunma Prefecture), rather than in Sweden, reflecting the cross-brand collaboration.
- Sold primarily in the United States and Canada; official sales were limited in Europe.
- Discontinued as GM restructured Saab and pursued other platform strategies.
The crossover nature of the 9-2X—Saab styling on a Subaru platform—helped it stand out in a small market segment, though its production was brief.
Additional context
Following this model, Saab continued to develop vehicles based on GM platforms, but the 9-2X remains notable as a rare instance of direct badge engineering with Subaru. The car is often cited in discussions of cross-brand partnerships and the limits of such collaborations.
Summary reflects how badge engineering can deliver a unique product that satisfies brand goals while leveraging another company's engineering.
Summary
The Saab 9-2X (2005–2006) is the model most closely associated with Subaru, serving as a Saab-badged version of the Subaru Impreza with AWD and WRX-inspired hardware. It was built in Japan and sold mainly in North America, marking a brief but notable collaboration between the two brands.
