Saabs have always been a little quirky when it comes to exterior design and the 9-3 sticks to this tradition. Saab deserves praise for adhering to a design theme year after year, one that enables its cars to stand out from the crowd. Whether liked by the masses or not, Saab designs do their job by getting instant recognition that results in positive brand awareness.

No real exterior changes have been made to the 2006 Saab 9-3 Convertible with the exception of the 20 Years Edition model. It gets unique Electric Blue paint, double five-spoke 17-inch alloy wheels, a rear spoiler, a parchment leather interior with matching blue inserts, and a Touring Package that includes power front seats with driver’s side memory, express windows, remote top opening, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers, and rear park assist.

Inside, designers have given the 2006 Saab 9-3 an exciting yet functional look. The first thing you’ll notice has to be the large diameter leather-wrapped steering wheel with the faux aluminum trim. It’s not only stunning in design but comfortable to hold as well. Comfortable also describes the leather seating, and the 9-3 convertible’s high quality textured plastics and metallic trim blend to present a sporty yet upscale interior. Small things, like the way the passenger airbag is designed to deploy from a small one-inch foot-long strip in the dash instead of a big boxy cutout, really add to the Saab’s clean design and upscale look.

Dropping the top has been made easy as well. A fully automatic, one-touch button raises and lowers the canvas top in just twenty seconds. Like most convertibles, trunk room is limited with the top stowed but room for a couple of soft-sided bags remains. Designers have continued the Saab tradition of locating the ignition in the center console but have surrounded it with better quality materials that don’t show as much wear as in the larger 9-5. Also worth noting is the quality look and feel of the switches and knobs throughout the interior. Overall, Saab has done a good job retaining the quirkiness of past designs but has improved upon them with added quality and user-friendliness.