First came the Saabaru, a Subaru Impreza wagon outfitted with upscale appointments, Scandinavian styling, a Saab badge, and a new name: the 9-2x. Now the Swedish automaker is expanding its lineup on the back of Chevrolet, by transforming the workhorse TrailBlazer SUV into something more turtlenecky. Like the Saabaru, the Saabblazer—sorry, the 9-7x–makes a nice impression. But it seems a bit too familiar to qualify as what one thinks of as a Saab.

First, the basic issue: Saab needed an SUV. And boy, did it get to the party late, introducing its first sport utility just as consumers were fleeing big gas guzzlers in favor of more wallet-friendly crossovers or other smaller vehicles. But if gas prices continue their reversal and buyers stop panicking, shoppers returning to the SUV aisle might appreciate this newcomer. The ride is more comfortable than in the TrailBlazer, thanks to some refinements in the suspension and a slightly lower stance. Saab has done a nice job creating its traditional cockpit feel in the cabin, canting the center dash toward the driver and installing grippy bucket seats. Lots of important safety features come standard, including stability control and side-curtain air bags. All-wheel drive is standard too, providing stable all-weather traction with no need to switch between two- and four-wheel modes, as in the truckier TrailBlazer. And just about every amenity most people would want comes standard, including heated seats, a moonroof, and dual climate control. The only real options are a navigation system and a DVD player, which means you don't have to pony up a lot of extra cash to get the 9-7x outfitted the way you want.

So should you spend $40,000 or more for this plush SUV? Well, if it's important to drive the only SUV with that protruding, mouthy grille, then the 9-7x is the only game in town. But it falls short in some areas where luxury vehicles should do better. First, the 9-7x gets only a three-star rating, out of five, on the government's frontal crash test for the driver's side—the most important seating position. That's the same rating the TrailBlazer gets—and it's not good enough. And as comfy as the 9-7x is, competitors like the Lexus RX330 and BMW X3 are slicker, with better road manners. But the appeal of the Swedish carmaker has always been its quirkiness, and there is indeed something odd about a Chevrolet dressed as a Saab. I'm just not sure that's the distinctiveness Saab had in mind.