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• 2008 SAAB 9-3 SPORT SEDAN
• Type: Mid-size sport sedan
• Base Price: $35,950; as tested, $42,630
• Engine: 2.0-litre, turbocharged, four-cylinder
• Transmission: Six-speed manual
• Drive: Front-wheel-drive
• Horsepower/Torque: 210 hp/221 lb-ft
• Fuel Economy (litres/100 km): 10.7 city/6.9 highway; premium gas
• Alternatives: Audi A4, Mazda6 Sport, Acura TSX, BMW 323i, Infiniti G35, Subaru Legacy Spec-B, Mercedes C230, Volvo S40 T5

Buyers looking for a mid-size sedan these days are, well, spoiled.

This is still the most competitive market segment in Canada — all of the major manufacturers offer at least one model; many offer several.

For the most part, they're all well-designed, practical and competitively priced. If you're in the market for this kind of vehicle, you have a wealth of choices and it's hard to recommend one over the other.

But when it comes to a higher level of drivability and refinement, the ranks thin out a bit.

Accord, Camry, Altima, Legacy, Malibu and all the rest have to pull over and leave the field to BMW, Volvo, Volkswagen, Mercedes, and Saab.

The Europeans tend to put forward models that are just one step ahead of the pack, and the Saab 9-3 Sport Sedan is no exception. This is one of the most driveable and nicely engineered four-door "saloons" you'll find.

But why? What makes it appealing?

Let's start with comfort. I've reviewed Saab products before and, each and every time, have raved about the front seats. It's the same this time around. None better.

And the ergonomics are beyond reproach; I especially like the aircraft-style flow-thru ventilation arrangement. I was at home in this car as soon as I slid behind the wheel.

Saab's trademark ignition key on the floor setup is a little strange, and probably unnecessary these days, but it's not a problem and you quickly get used to it.

On the downside, as I've mentioned in previous reviews, the handbrake design is kind of awkward and unwary fingers can get pinched when it's released.

As far as drivetrain refinement is concerned, the new six-speed transmission is superbly designed: unbelievably light clutch action, well-spaced gear ratios and reverse located to the left, out of the shift pattern, so there is no ambiguity during gear changes. I've rarely driven a manual gearbox sedan with this level of refinement.

The 9-3 sedan comes with two engine choices, a 2.0-litre four-cylinder and a 2.8-litre V-6. Both are turbocharged, and the four-banger, which is what I drove, develops 210 horsepower.

It actually feels like more when the boost cuts in — and the 9-3 is one of the more lively four-cylinder sedans on the market. A slick little boost gauge in the instrumentation binnacle lets you know when the turbo has cut in and by how much, and that extra kick is irresistible.

Many other manufacturers are moving toward variable valve timing for that extra power boost, but it's refreshing to drive something that utilizes a turbocharger.

This engine also features four valves per cylinder, a pair of overhead camshafts and internal engine counter-balancers. It's a gem.

Moving along to handling and braking: Not far from where I live there's a freeway access ramp that is basically a huge circle, with a slight elevation change and a sneaky little decreasing-radius turn at its end. Although it's part of the highway system, it wouldn't be out of place on a racetrack.

Anyway, if the coast is clear and there's no traffic, I use it as kind of my own little impromptu skid pad and, since I know it so well, can usually charge right into it to get a sense of how well whatever car I'm driving handles itself.

By way of example, I can hustle around it in a Porsche 911 Turbo at about 100-odd km/h before things start to go hinky. Although it's a four-door sedan, the 9-3 Sport would be right on the 911's tail. It was comfortable at 85-90 km/h time and again.

There is some torque steer if you let the turbocharger get away from you, but keep things at the right speed and rpms, and this car has exemplary handling. Not to mention four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, a brace force distribution system, traction control and an electronic stability program.

In terms of all-round handling and balance, the 9-3 Sport Sedan is on equal footing with the likes of the BMW 3-Series and Audi A4.

On the negative side, however — and it's a biggie — this car has beyond-insipid styling.

The 900 SPG of the late 1980s and early 1990s stood out in a crowd, but this model — it's spiritual successor — is bland and downright homely.

I wish Saab would step out a bit here; most of the 9-3's competitors are distinctive and nicely styled and put this sedan to shame in the eye candy sweepstakes — to the point where its loaded $42,000-plus price tag makes you think twice.

The 9-3 Sport Sedan starts at just under $36,000, and with that you get leather interior, heated front seats, power driver's seat, steering-wheel-mounted audio controls, climate control system, central locking, cruise control and all of the other modcons that are essential in this market.

Seen in that light, the 9-3 Sport Sedan has an acceptable sticker price, but add the 17-inch wheels and tires ($995), premium package ($1,590), upscale stereo package ($995) and $1,600 power glass sunroof, and you're up and over the top, as far as I'm concerned.

In short, skip the extras and stay with the base version. It's got everything you need.