Saving money on production costs is clearly a top priority with automakers, which means the days when each make would have its own engine, frame, body and styling are gone, replaced with one platform and set of components to make a wide variety of models.

Saab Saab's 9-2X retains the carmaker's identity with its front end, side profile and sharp alloy wheels. Click photo for larger image.

That's OK, I guess, as long as each product still has a separate identity. But it can be a problem when identities don't mesh well, as is the case in some instances with Saab's new 9-2X, a sport wagon based on the popular Subaru Impreza.

For the most part, the transformation -- aimed at taking full advantage of Saab owner General Motors' partnership with Subaru -- has been successful, except in a very important area: the interior. (There's also a serious problem with low-end power, torque and acceleration with this car, but I'll get to that in a moment).

Our test model was the 9-2X Aero 5 Door with a base price of $26,950. That included such niceties as a 227-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine; all-wheel drive; air conditioning; full power accessories; and front-seat head, thorax and side air bags. The price can escalate quickly: An automatic transmission with cold-weather and sport packages, performance tires, sun roof and alloy wheels brought the total to $31,445.

The 9-2X's big calling card is its sporty, elegant look. Saab did a terrific job making this car really take on its corporate identity, particularly when you look at the front end, the side profile and the sharp alloy wheels. In dark colors such as the blue mica on my test model, it's a real eye catcher.

Then you move inside. Ouch. The only thing that says "Saab" about this car is the emblem on the steering wheel. The materials, the design of the seats and the presentation shouted "cheap economy car." I've seen better in some of those cheap economy cars!

The seats seemed unsupportive, the gauges looked so-so and the two-tone gray and black interior did nothing for making it an inviting place to be. If Saab has any chance at all to compete in this market, it will need to address the interior, and pronto.

The engine gave me pause, too. There's very little low-end oomph to speak of, even with the turbo factored into it. It's so slow, in fact, that several people asked me if something was wrong with the car.

Once you got into higher speeds, the engine suddenly came alive, providing lots of punch, strong acceleration and pretty decent passing abilities. Handling with this car is crisp, precise and with reasonably fast steering, so Saab has you covered on this angle as well.

To be sure, the car itself is a nice one, but Saab's challenge will be cross-shopping. When I can get an all-new base model BMW 3 Series, or a nicely equipped Audi A4 or an Infiniti G-35 for about the same money, somehow a Saab that's based on a Subaru doesn't quite come off right. It's not the car's fault; it's just the way the car's been positioned in the market.

There is a cheaper, nonturbocharged alternative. With a $22,990 starting price, the Linear model of the 9-2X makes a much better case for itself -- priced right down there with some very ordinary economy models. If you throw in two years of free maintenance, a four-year/50,000-mile warranty and some other niceties not offered by Subaru, the 9-2X Linear makes an even better case.

My advice to Saab is this: Get busy on that interior and add more flavor that says "Saab." And do something about low-end power with the turbo setup.

And my suggestion to you is this: If scorching fast performance is not a high "must have" on your plate, take a serious look at the lower-line model, the Linear, a terrific way to get Saab fun without a Saab price tag.

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Saab 9-2X

Price: $22,990
Engine: 2.5-liter, 165-hp. 4
Mileage: 22/29
Traction control: not available
Stability control: not available
Side air bags: dual front with head-protection chambers
Basic warranty: 4 years, 50,000 miles
Luggage capacity: 27.9 cu. ft.

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Volvo V70

Price: $25,990
Engine: 2.4-liter, 168-hp. in-line 5
Mileage: 22/30
Traction control: standard
Stability control: optional
Side air bags: dual front
Basic warranty: 4 years, 50,000 miles
Luggage capacity: 27.4 cu. ft.

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Audi A3

Price: $26,140
Engine: 200-hp., 2.0-liter 4
Mileage: 25/31
Traction control: standard
Stability control: standard
Side air bags: dual front
Basic warranty: 4 years, 50,000 miles
Luggage capacity: 13.1 cu. ft.