Auto News 5

Poor, poor Saab. The entire time I was behind the wheel of the 9-5, I thought I was in a reskinned Buick. It's just way too long and wide to feel like a real Saab. I really dislike the way the interior feels so much like a typical General Motors interior with a few concessions to the vehicles I'd really consider to be Saabs. Why is the nightpanel button (a signature Saab item) in almost exactly the same place as every push-to-start button on "normal" cars? I know Saab has always done the console ignition, but does that make any sense without a physical key? I spent a week with the car and that still wasn't enough time to train myself to not push the nightpanel button when I wanted ignition.

The key to the Cruze, for better or worse, is its size. Like most General Motors vehicles, it's simply bigger and heavier than everything else in the segment, and it feels bulkier still thanks to the high doorsills. The first time I parallel parked the Cruze, I was sure I was just about to hit the car behind me when in truth I had several feet to spare. The girth also makes it hard to notice how well the car handles. In fact, the Cruze goes around a corner as well as anything else in the segment. Steering is a bit numb -- also in keeping with the segment -- but is accurate. Despite its unimpressive power rating, the 1.4-liter turbo does an impressive job moving around the Cruze's 3000 pounds, although it's hampered somewhat by the six-speed automatic's insistence on finding the highest gear possible at all times.