3rd row seating???

[platypus]

I cannot find it anywhere. Does anyone know if the new 97x will offer 3rd row seating like some of its GM counterparts?
If they are going to succeed at this, they must. The MDX, Pilot, Durango, Explorer, and Mercedes will kill them if they do not :!

[Evan]

Everything I have seen & read says emphatically no. Unlike her siblings in the GM SUV line, the Saab 9-7x will not have the third row option.

Sure, the stats say that 39% of Saab owners also own an SUV, but what it does not say is why. Many Saab owners have kids and they do not want a minivan. Most probably want a wagon like the Volvo V-70 (which I have) or the XC-90 as the most Saab-like in character. They should look at the Pacifica, Audi A-7, Touareg 7 seater and the like.

I agree totaly, the lack of third row seat at a time when every SUV is getting them, is going to be the killer for the 9-7x. Not only that, but the whole poor reliability with the Envoy platform will counter the positive effect that will come from the 9-2x.

[Evan]

The latest Motor Trend has a comment in the news section that the 2nd generation 9-7 will come out of the development of the new 00X Subaru project for a seven seat SUV in 2007. One hopes that this is true and that it developed like the Cayenne/Touareg to be more divergent than the WRX/9-2x models. This will bring Saab owners the seven seater we need rather than the Volvos we now own or the very non-Saab five seat Envoy knock-off that debuts next year. Hopefully, the second generation 9-2 will also be more of its own car and also depart a bit more from its Subaru cousin (the presumably already in development 2006/7 WRX). An even better idea would be to bring the 9-X concept to market.

[humercedes]

Last week, while I was getting my saab 9-7x 5.3i serviced, i asked the saab salesman if saab had any plans for adding a third row to an suv. My assumption was that they would base it on the saturn outlook/gmc acadia and call it a 9-8x. The reason I say this is because GM is selling their 20% of subaru back, and dropping the 9-2x, so I think that this new line of 8 passenger suv's is a perfect line for the addition of a saab. Anyway, the salesman said to me that saab wouldn't add a third row because they are into safety, and a third row is not very safe in the event of a rear collision. I don't think he knew what he was talking about, but he did say it. Hope this helps.

[saabexprt]

If they are going to succeed at this, they must.

only 20 percent of the segment is sold with 3rd row seating.

I don't think he knew what he was talking about, but he did say it.

Actually, he did know what he was talking about. furthermore, it severely limits the amount of leg room to both the 2nd and 3rd row adding extra seats to a vehicle that size. The counterparts that have 3rd rows are extended bodies and are not the same length as the 9-7.

[mike saunders]

Actually, he did know what he was talking about. furthermore, it severely limits the amount of leg room to both the 2nd and 3rd row adding extra seats to a vehicle that size. The counterparts that have 3rd rows are extended bodies and are not the same length as the 9-7.

Bingo...

Adding a third seat limits both legroom AND storage space, which is why there's a nice niche market in rooftop carriers. Dunno how adding a hundred pounds of stuff up top affects the center of gravity.

[DuSpinnst]

Only the Envoy XL and TrailBlazer EXT have the 3rd row. As of 2007, both of these cars are cancelled. The Buick Ranier (and Oldsmobile Bravada before it) did not have a 3rd row option. The 9-7X has never had it either.

[DuSpinnst]

I should also mention that the 9-4X will be based on Theta (Think Equinox in size) and that GM may give Saab a Lambda (Outlook/Acadia/Enclave) as the "new" 9-7X or as a 9-6X.