This is the best Saab on sale. I know, I know: right now, in the months before the new 9-5 big car and 9-4 crossover become available, being the best of Saabs is like being the healthiest patient in intensive care.

But it’s better than that. If you’re in the market for one of those slightly jacked-up, slightly toughened-up four-wheel-drive estates, this is very possibly the one to go for. A Subaru Outback is a bit of an assault on the eyes, inside and out. An Audi A4 Allroad is an assault on your finances. An Octavia Scout is a bit unprepossessing. That leaves this Saab sitting pretty.

It’s one of those cars that feels at home with itself. All the dynamic attributes rub along nicely with each other. You can stroke it along at a decent clip, even though the 9-3X has no misplaced ambition to be sporty. There’s enough grip for the power, and enough steering accuracy for the sort of cornering we’re talking about. Sharing the drive between the four wheels improves steering purity too.

A consequence of all this is thatthe suspension brings home the advantage, with a restful, supple ride. There’s none of the shudder and thump that we’ve always had when Saab tries to build a BMW rival. The suspension’s also self-levelling at the rear, so the ground clearance doesn’t suffer if you decide to load up.

Oddly, coming as it does froma company that prides itself on turbo expertise, the weakest link is the engine. Below 2,000rpm, it’s laggier than I’d reckoned on. But you can drive around the issue. Anyway, I’m in the 210bhp petrol. On the face of it, why not save a grand and go for the diesel? It’s a useful 180bhp and matches the petrol’s acceleration while going half as far again on a gallon. Except, wait a minute. The diesel doesn’t get the excellent 4WD system. D’oh.

The interior is typical Saab, which is good. Even though the 9-3 has seen seven summers, at least the cabin‘s design still looks clean and modern. It’s agreeably left-field without being gimmicky.

But the question is left hanging: would you want one of these oddball slightly tall estates? You don’t see many of them around: more SUV-ish crossovers do far better business. But I’m thinking it’s a rather canny sort of car. It has enough ground clearance for rough tracks and all the grip you need for muddy lanes or skiing. And because it isn‘t so high, the ride is better. What’s not to like?