The Saab 9-4X is a mid-size crossover SUV introduced by Swedish automaker Saab Automobile at the LA Auto Show 2010. It is based on the all-wheel drive GM Theta Premium platform. The 9-4X will begin production in 2011 and is scheduled to be built at Ramos Arizpe, Mexico. The main challenge, according to Svante Kinell at the marketing department at Saab, is to find the right Diesel engines for the European market. As a result, the vehicle is V6-only.
The focus of the 9-4X took shape once the Saab 9-6X project was cancelled, after the divestment by General Motors of its holding in Subaru. The 9-4X replaces the larger U.S. built Saab 9-7X SUV, production of which ceased in December 2008. The 9-4X concept made its debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
The car was released at the 2010 LA Auto Show as a 2011 model year vehicle. The production car is almost identical to the concept on the exterior and similar to the second generation Saab 9-5 on the inside. The car started selling as a 2011 model year vehicle in June in the US and in August elsewhere.
