Its funny how time changes things. Back in '85 when first introduced of the type four cars I would have said that in looks the Alfa was prettiest, Saab (then as a hatchback) next, the Thema next and then the Croma. The problem with the latter 2 is they are big cars but the wheels (14") were far too small. This did not detract from their performance however, and personally I would have gone for the Thema first anyway. As each car evolved, the Alfa did not change much, the Saab gained a cut'n'shut boot or a horrid new hatch, the Croma arguably became nicer with its pointed nose, but the Thema became much more graceful. Indeed if you were to put the four '94 model versions together, the Thema is most definately the smartest, appears the most executive and expensive.
From the Top Gear snip, I would never take much notice anyway, if you had £20K to spend on an executive car in '89 you would pick the Alfa or Lancia, if you had £26K you would have gone for a BMW 530i, Merc 300E or if smart a Thema & bought your wife a Delta 1300, but never a Saab 9000 saloon.
Paul Greenway.
