SAAB'S fortunes might have been as up and down of late but if the new 9-5 is anything to go back then the company is surely well on the way to enjoying better times.

The fact Saab found itself no longer part of the General Motors' empire was probably no fault of its own.

In truth the global car giant never seemed sure of what to do with its Swedish marque that erred more towards premium than the mainstream but at times sat uncomfortably between the two.

Enter Spyker and the Saab revival would seem to have been well under way but more than a few stumbling blocks have prompted the need to find a new partner, which will most likely be one of the emerging Chinese automotive powerhouses.

Meanwhile the engineers at Saab can only carry on doing what they do best, which is producing a quirky and alternative offering in the premium segment.

The world would be a poorer place without Saab, so let's hope the negotiations to provide stability prove fruitful.

There's a sad irony about the current situation given the fact the latest 9-5 is probably the best car the company has produced to date.

Without doubt the best thing about it is its striking profile.

It's a car that simply demands to be noticed and boasts looks which really do take some beating.

Executive saloons are more often than not characterised by a degree of anonymity that errs towards the dull - even if they do have a coveted German badge.

Being different can be difficult but if you can carry it off it's quite an achievement.

And that's just what Saab have done with the 9-5 which looks pretty much perfect from any angle and has an air of stylish modernity that shouts Swedish sophistication from every corner.

Style is to the fore when you step inside as well.

You instantly know you're in a Saab, thanks to the asymmetric console that also has the flavour of a jet plane cabin - a traditional nod to the company's roots as an aircraft manufacturer.

Everything has a pretty premium feel and the switchgear stands out - easily as good as anything the Germans have to offer.

Best of all are seats that both cosset and support you perfectly - another Saab trademark.

Oddly there aren't any of the Saab quirks of old, such as having to engage reverse gear before taking the key out, but nonetheless the 9-5 does have a distinctive feel of its own and a character that is refreshingly different.

As well as looking good it also measures up when it comes to practicality. The cabin is open and spacious and there's a generous amount of space in the rear too.

The practicality package is completed by a huge boot that would comfortably swallow a family's luggage.

Perhaps most importantly the 9-5 delivers as a driver's car too.

Traditionally critics might have cited dull driving dynamics as a bit of a let-down with Saabs but this 9-5 is engaging and agile in equal measure, which is particularly impressive given it is a large-ish front-wheel-drive car.

Further up the range there are four-wheel-drive options too if you want added grip and enhanced handling prowess.

The steering is well-weighted and noticeably accurate and a decent suspension set-up means chucking it round corners proved more fun than I expected.

The sweet and smooth turbo-charged petrol engine might not represent the sensible choice (the equivalent diesel will no doubt prove a much bigger seller) but I liked it a lot and overall was getting economy not far short of 30mpg which didn't seem too bad.

As far as comfort was concerned it also came up to the mark. I did a fair few motorway miles and it soaked them up with aplomb and even some unforeseen delays didn't cause too much stress in the comfort zone that was the 9-5's cabin.

The 9-5 comes fairly generously equipped in all its forms in a bid to make it attractive over established competitors. But the top of the range Aero specification is noticeably plush and includes all-leather sport interior, electric seats, a full colour and easy to use information display and plenty more besides.