Saab's 9-3 estate model, the SportWagon, is the marque's first venture into this lucrative growing premium niche. Aimed somewhere in between cars such as the C-Class Mercedes and the ubiquitous BMW 3 Series Touring and more mass market models such as the Ford Mondeo, it faces perhaps an even tougher battle than the saloon given the highly style and brand conscious buyers in this sector.

The Saab 9-3 SportWagon is actually significantly better looking than the saloon version in my eyes; only the strange smoked rear light clusters and chrome strip let it down. In profile in particular it is as handsome as this sector demands nowadays, with these cars being as much about style as load lugging ability; the SportWagon stands up well to comparisons with good looking rivals such as the Alfa Romeo 159, Jaguar X-TYPE and Volvo V70.

The rakish looks are not at the ultimate expense of space either. Cabin space is comfortable and generous and the boot is big enough for most occasions and features a two layer design with a hidden space beneath the floor (accessed via a nice aircraft shaped handle) for secure storage of valuables.

The 9-3's dashboard is familiar Saab territory such as the location of the key and the air vents, but old school Saab fans will miss the air of solidity found in the old 900 series cars. The switchgear is good to use and logically laid out, which is typically Saab, and the night mode for the instruments remains a Car Enthusiast favourite.

Our test car was the Vector Sport derivative, with a comprehensive level of equipment including climate control, part leather trim, electric everything, an upgraded stereo and Saab's information system, as well as plenty of active and dynamic safety devices as you'd expect of a Swedish car. Our test car also featured an optional six-speed automatic gearbox.

Small shift buttons on the steering wheel are a £75 extra but are almost essential in my view if the automatic 'box is specified. The 'box itself works quite well when left to its own devices, shifting smoothly between its six ratios with only the odd jerk on a downshift letting it down. It is also slightly reluctant to shift up at low rpm, obviously something calibrated in the software for optimum drivability and driveline protection, but you can't help feeling that sometimes you could do it better yourself.

Should you wish to change gears, the Tiptronic function on the stick is clunky and slow. The interface via the buttons is much more satisfying and adds an extra degree of confidence and control over the car. Interestingly, Saab's own figures show the manual to be almost 20% more fuel efficient; automatic would have to be an absolute necessity for people to ignore that difference.

An auto works well in conjunction with the 150bhp TiD diesel engine that delivers traditional Saab grunt in the expected way, namely plenty of torque and in-gear acceleration. Thanks to its 236lb.ft of torque produced at 2000rpm, but with much of it on tap from 1750 to 3000rpm it enjoys significantly better in-gear performance than the 2-litre turbo petrol SportWagon. It doesn't mind revving up to the red line either, although it does begin to get rowdy and, frankly, when it drives so well at lower engine speeds the benefits for revving it out are minimal. This is the same unit we tried in the new Cadillac BLS.

In a sporting context the Saab 9-3 Sportwagon comes up short in terms of driver involvement and fun. The chassis is biased towards comfort rather than back road blasts and it rides well accordingly. It is also an accomplished mile muncher on motorway and B-road alike, as you'd hope.

Saab has managed to imprint a reasonable amount of DNA on what is effectively a rebodied Vauxhall Vectra, but some of the materials aren't up to the marque's standards in my opinion. It makes a lot of sense as a family estate, in fact I much preferred the Sportwagon to the saloon, but the price pushes it dangerously close to more talented competition. For those who'd like something a little different, and Saab admit mass market appeal is not what they're about, then there is much to enjoy. Hardcore Saab fans will still find it lacking in true Saab-ness, but in today's tough climate should be grateful Saabs exist at all.

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Saab 9-3 SportWagon UK range overview

- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8i 122bhp Linear: £19,770
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8t 150bhp Linear: £21,245
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 120bhp Linear: £20,640
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 150bhp Linear: £21,665
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0t 175bhp Linear: £22,345
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8i 122bhp Linear Sport: £20,770
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8t 150bhp Linear Sport: £22,245
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 120bhp Linear Sport: £21,640
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 150bhp Linear Sport: £22,665
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0t 175bhp Linear Sport: £23,345
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8i 122bhp Vector: £21,620
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8t 150bhp Vector: £23,095
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 120bhp Vector: £22,490
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 150bhp Vector: £23,515
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0t 175bhp Vector: £24,205
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8i 122bhp Vector Sport: £22,270
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.8t 150bhp Vector Sport: £23,745
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 120bhp Vector Sport: £23,140
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 1.9TiD 150bhp Vector Sport: £24,165
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0t 175bhp Vector Sport: £24,855
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.0t 210bhp Aero: £25,995
- Saab 9-3 SportWagon 2.8T Aero: £28,525