2006 Pontiac Solstice: Road Test
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2006 Pontiac Solstice ▼
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- MSRP: $19,915
- Invoice: $18,820
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Our road test for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice includes a full evaluation of the 2006 Pontiac Solstice from the inside out. We evaluate not only engine and handling performance for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice, but also interior cabin and cargo space. Let our comprehensive road test ratings for the 2006 Pontiac Solstice help you decide if a 2006 Pontiac Solstice is right for you.
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ACCELERATION
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 6 | 6.4 |
Slow-to-rev, somewhat coarse 4-cyl is no high-performance engine, but Solstice quick enough off the line to lend credence to Pontiac's 7.0 sec 0-60-mph claim with manual transmission. Plenty of pep for most needs, though highway passing power is modest. No opportunity to test Solstice with automatic transmission, but similar Sky with automatic showed virtually no drop-off in acceleration or throttle response. Manual generally unrewarding to shift, has less-than-fluid engagement.
FUEL ECONOMY
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5.5 |
Test manual-transmission Solstices averaged 20.8 mpg in mixed city/highway use, 23.0-25.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel.
RIDE QUALITY
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 3.9 |
For a sports car with 18-inch tires, impressively compliant and composed over most bumps. No float or wallow on high-speed dips and swells, though ride gets busy on rippled freeways.
STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 9 | 8 |
Hits the mark for sporty fun. Responsive steering with just the right degree of road feel. Quick, well-balanced through turns. Maintains good grip, even in bumpy corners. Confidently stable at highway speeds and in strong crosswinds.
QUIETNESS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 2 | 3.2 |
No hi-tech engine sounds here, and buzzy exhaust note a constant companion, prominent enough to drown most tire noise. Top-down wind rush challenges conversation. Test cars had some panel squeaks, annoying top-up wind whistle from side windows due to poor sealing.
CONTROLS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 5.5 |
Spartan layout, easily accessed controls. Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge have indistinct markings, are obscured for some test drivers by steering wheel rim. Frequently touched cabin surfaces are padded, but decor otherwise dominated by hard plastic, thin-feeling panels. Impractical cupholder placement requires awkward reach behind driver
ROOM/COMFORT/DRIVER SEATING (FRONT)
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 5 | 5.2 |
Adequate leg room, but larger occupants may want more shoulder room. Shorter drivers will find seating position quite low, but there's good lateral and lower-back support, despite absence of lumbar adjustment. Double-hump rear bulkhead obstructs vision over the shoulders, and top-up view to sides isn't great. Top cannot be lowered or raised without getting in and out of car to manipulate folding mechanism, rear roof pegs, trunklid.
ROOM/COMFORT (REAR)
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 0 | 1.4 |
(No rear seating.)
CARGO ROOM
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3.2 |
Top lowers into trunk, which has a lid hinged at the rear. Top-up, enough space for one large golf bag or two small ones. Top-down, most usable volume sacrificed. Precious little interior small-item storage, even by sports car standards.
VALUE WITHIN CLASS
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 4 | 6.6 |
Dynamically capable and emotionally evocative, Solstice is let down by uninspired engine performance and budget-grade interior materials. These shortfalls won't matter much to buyers excited by the idea of an affordable American sports car.
Total Score
| Base, man. | Class Average |
|---|---|
| 40 | 48.9 |
Total Score: 40
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
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