Loads Of Muscle, Plenty Of Class

Norm Crowe, a car enthusiast in Cleveland Heights, Ohio, recently traded his 1999 Corvette C5 convertible for a 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero. He hasn't regretted it for a minute. That's because Saab's top-of-the-line sedan is one versatile machine. While the Aero's turbocharged acceleration and solid handling provide thrills aplenty, its well-appointed cabin, cavernous trunk, and smooth ride make it perfect for hauling groceries around town. "It's made for speed, but when you get into the city, it's so docile and refined," says Crowe, 32. "It's awesome."

I agree. My weeklong test of the front-wheel-drive, $40,175 Aero, the upscale version of Saab's 9-5 model, took me easily from the hilly back roads of rural New Jersey to the potholed avenues of Manhattan. At times, I could have sworn I was piloting a BMW 5 series sport sedan costing several thousand dollars more. I was also zipping about in one of the safest cars on the street: Euro NCAP, the European Union's car safety agency, gave the 9-5 the top crashworthiness rating in its group, tying the 5 series and outpacing the Audi A6, Mercedes-Benz E-Class, and Volvo S70, among others.