2006 Pontiac Torrent Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Pontiac introduces a midsize SUV for 2006. Torrent shares its car-type platform and drivetrain with the Chevrolet Equinox, though Torrent's suspension is tuned to impart a sportier feel. Torrent seats five; no 3rd-row seat is offered. The rear seat slides fore and aft 8 inches to maximize passenger or cargo space. The one-piece rear hatch does not include opening glass. Torrent comes with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive without low-range gearing. A 185-hp V6 with 5-speed automatic transmission is the sole powertrain. Antilock brakes are standard. Traction control is standard on the 2WD model. Curtain side airbags are optional. Available features include leather upholstery, heated front seats, and 17-inch wheels in place of standard 16s.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

Our Best Buys include Honda Pilot and Toyota Highlander. Our Recommended picks are Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Nissan Xterra, and Toyota 4Runner.

New or significantly redesigned models include Hummer H3, Jeep Commander, Pontiac Torrent, and Subaru B9 Tribeca.

News

The one possible near-term change for Torrent involves the brand it wears. General Motors is putting together a new Buick-Pontiac-GMC sales channel, leading some to think that Torrent may soon be sold under the GMC label. That makes sense, as GMC sells nothing but trucks, and Torrent can be construed as either a truck or a car. Pontiac's assigned role under B-P-G is to produce cars exemplifying "passion and performance," so whether Torrent remains a Pontiac depends on whether marketers think the vehicle fits--or can be made to fit--that mission statement. Stay tuned.

2006 Pontiac Torrent Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Steering feel

Control layout	Handling/roadholding

Entry/exit

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	5

Similar to Equinox, lively takeoffs, linear power delivery. Transmission kicks down quickly to provide decent passing punch. No opportunity to time Torrent, but test 2WD Equinox LT did 8.8 sec 0-60 mph; expect somewhat slower progress from slightly heavier AWD versions. Towing capacity is 3500 lb.

Fuel Economy

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	3.8

Test 2WD Torrent averaged 17.5 mpg in mostly city driving. Test AWD averaged 15.1 mpg in exclusively city driving.

Ride Quality

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
4	4	5.4

Long wheelbase smoothes out most bumps, though impacts harsher in Torrent than Equinox. No opportunity to test with standard 16-inch wheels.

Steering/Handling/Braking

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
4	4	4.1

Steering light, vague on center, and some testers want more road feel. Pronounced body lean in turns. Despite unique suspension treatment, Torrent feels little sportier than Equinox. AWD assists grip in slippery conditions, but not meant for off-road use.

Quietness

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
5	5	5.2

Average for class. Wind rush unobtrusive, but rough pavement can generate noticeable tire roar. 17-inch tires slap, pound more on Torrent than Equinox.

Controls

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
6	7	6.3

Straightforward gauges readable in all light conditions. Controls within easy reach. Power-window switches grouped on center console rather than door panels; some testers found them difficult to reach. Gear-position indicators arrayed horizontally above console-mounted shift lever; finding intended gear can be confusing. Most interior materials appropriate for price level, but standard cabin still has cut-rate feel. Available Premium Package leather trim improves overall ambience.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	6.7

Ample head and leg room, but some testers complained of lumpy lumbar bolstering. SUV-height driving position provides good view of road. Thick front roof pillars can obscure visibility at stop signs, and visibility astern is hindered by thick 3rd and 4th pillars. Entry/exit a breeze.

Room/Comfort (rear)

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	6.2

Good head room. Sliding rear seat easily adjusts to create generous leg room. Flat seat less comfortable than in some rivals. But clever 60/40 split design allows three child seats to fit, and two can remain in place while one seatback folds down.

Cargo Room

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
8	8	8.3

A strong point. Rear seats don't fold perfectly flat, but front-passenger seatback does to provide room for long objects. Most rivals have separate opening rear glass, but large hatch and low liftover makes for easy loading. Adjustable-height cargo shelf a bit flimsy, but provides many storage options. Front center armrest includes storage compartment, folds up between seatbacks, but space below would provide more utility if it contained a deep bin rather than a shallow tray.

Value within Class

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
6	6	5.7

Like Equinox, Torrent's sloppy steering and handling make it feel like a large, cumbersome SUV. But it has a carlike ride, plenty of utility, and prices that undercut those of most midsize rivals. A bit more mechanical finesse is all that is required for Torrent to pressure competitors such as the Honda Pilot or Toyota Highlander.

Total Score

2WD w/17-in. whls.	AWD w/Prem. Pkg., 17-in. whls.	Class Average
55	56	56.7

Scores for all Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		43
Average Score		56
High Score		66

2006 Pontiac Torrent Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 05/26/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

2WD Base 4-door wagon	$21,400	$19,945	$590

AWD Base 4-door wagon	$23,205	$21,627	$590

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

Model	Rebate & Incentives	Type	Expires

Torrent	$2250 cash back or 0%-1.9% financing.	Customer	10/31/07

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

3.4-liter V6 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, traction control.

Safety

Dual front airbags, antilock brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, height-adjustable driver seat, fold-flat passenger seat, center console, cupholders, adjustable split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, roof rails, rear spoiler, theft-deterrent system, 235/65R16 tires, alloy wheels, AWD adds: all-wheel drive, Deletes: traction control.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Pkg.
Base	$1,600	$1,328
Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, upgraded upholstery, 6-way power driver seat, automatic day/night rearview mirror, outside-temperature indicator, compass, cargo net, floormats, roof rack, rear privacy glass.

Premium Pkg.
Base	$795	$660
Leather upholstery, heated front seats. Requires Preferred Pkg.

Security Pkg.
Base	$1,090	$905
Front side airbags, curtain side airbags, OnStar assistance system w/one year service. Requires Preferred Pkg.

Sun and Sound Pkg.
Base	$1,285	$1,067
Power sunroof, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer.

Trailering Equipment
Base	$350	$291
Trailer-hitch receiver, wiring harness.

Comfort and Convenience Features
AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
Base	$135	$112


Satellite radio
Base	$325	$270
Requires monthly fee after 3rd-month.

Heated front seats
Base	$250	$208


Smoker Pkg.
Base	$20	$17
Ash tray, lighter.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Special paint
Base	$295	$245


Engine-block heater
Base	$35	$29


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
17-inch alloy wheels
Base	$295	$245

2006 Pontiac Torrent Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Pontiac Torrent 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	112.5

Overall Length, in.	188.8

Overall Width, in.	71.4

Overall Height, in.	67.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	3776

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	68.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	1157

Fuel Capacity, gals.	16.6

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	40.9

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.2

Rear Head Room, in.	40.1

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	40.2

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.4 /204

Horsepower @ rpm.	185 @ 5200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	210 @ 3800

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	18/23

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Pontiac Torrent 4-door wagon

Front Impact, Driver	5

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	5

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	5

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Canada

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive, all-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Pontiac Torrent
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 08/22/2005
Engine: ohv V6
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: No
Base Price: $22,400
Price as Tested: $27,540
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 3492
Mileage at End of Test: 3495
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 14.407 gals.

Major Options: Preferred Package (Driver 6-way Power Seat, Deep Tinted Glass, Premium Cloth, Cruise Control, 1SRV Mirror Auto Dimming With Temp and Compass, Redundant Radio Controls, Luggage Rack Crossbars, Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel, Carpeted Floor Mats, Cargo Convenience Net), Sun and Sound Package (Sunroof Tilt and Sliding, AM/FM Stereo w/6 Disc CD Player, Pioneer Premium 7-Speaker System w/Subwoffer and Amplifier), Security Package (Airbags, Side Impact, Head Curtain, OnStar Service: Includes One Year Safe and Sound), XM Satellite Radio Service, 17-inch Aluminum Wheels, P235/60R17 All Season Tires, Ext- Fever Red Metallic, Int- Sand Trim

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 17.49 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Jamie Putnam Overall, this is a lot of vehicle for the money and Torrent is price-competitive with some of the compact SUVs with more room.

Mark Bilek Torrent, like Equinox, is another example of GM's half-baked product plan. The vehicle is the right size, has lots of innovative features, and is well put together. But dynamically it is a flop. The ride is bouncy, the steering vague, and transmission unhappy. I really wanted to like Torrent because it seems to be a very useful SUV that gets good mileage and has a pleasant interior. If only GM had spent a little more time getting the driving equation right, it could easily rival Pilot and Highlander as best in class.

Vehicle Evaluated: 2005 Pontiac Torrent
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 08/29/2005
Engine: ohv V6
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $24,299
Price as Tested: $30,235
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 1730
Mileage at End of Test: 1941
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 13.965 gals.

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 15.11 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Rick Cotta Though bargain-priced for the room and power provided, Torrent and Equinox suffer from a clunky suspension, wonky steering feel, and poor visibility due to overly thick roof pillars.

Tom Appel An ode to thee, brand-new Torrent sport ute, Pontiac needs you, none will dispute. Good use of space, you certainly make, but my thirst for fun, you do not slake. Your steering is numb, without any feel, A corner requires copious turns of the wheel. GM's Theta platform you do share, With Equinox, itself only fair. The Torrent name suggests unbridled passion, But all told you're but a Chevy, slightly refashion'd.

< 2006 Pontiac Torrent Photos

Also in the 2006 Pontiac Torrent Review:

Pontiac Torrent

Pontiac Torrent Road Test

Pontiac Torrent Prices & Equipment

Pontiac Torrent Specs & Safety

Pontiac Torrent Photos

Pontiac Torrent Full Review

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