2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent: Full Review
Updated: 11/23/08
2008 Pontiac Torrent
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2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent ▼
- Price Range: $11,300 - $19,800
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Learn about the year-to-year changes and reliability for the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent and our price chart details a range of prices based on vehicle mileage and condition.
Pros
- Cargo room
- Acceleration
- Control layout
- Seat comfort
Cons
- Steering/handling
- Noise
- Fuel economy
- Ride (GXP)
Vehicle Highlights
Pontiac introduced a new midsize sport-utility vehicle for 2006. The Torrent crossover wagon shared its car-type platform and drivetrain with the Chevrolet Equinox, though the Torrent's suspension was tuned to impart a sportier feel. All Torrents seated five; no third-row seat was offered. The Multi-flex 60/40 split, reclining rear seat slid fore and aft by 8 inches, to maximize either passenger or cargo space. The front passenger seat folded down to allow carrying of longer items. A one-piece rear hatch did not include separate-opening glass. Pontiac claimed the widest rear door openings in the Torrent's segment. Torrents came with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, which lacked low-range gearing. A 185-horsepower V6 with five-speed automatic transmission was the sole powertrain. Antilock brakes were standard. Traction control was standard on the 2WD model. Head-protecting curtain side airbags were optional. Remote keyless entry was standard. Available features included leather upholstery, heated front seats (cloth or leather), satellite radio, and 17-inch aluminum wheels in place of the standard 16s. Potential rivals included the Honda Pilot, Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Murano, and Toyota Highlander.
Expert Ratings Summary (view detailed report)
| Category | Torrent GXP w/AWD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 52 |
Learn about the year-to-year changes of the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent. Get full details of the styling and performance changes throughout the history of the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent.
Year to Year Changes
2007 Pontiac Torrent:
For 2007, standard ABS and traction control were joined by an antiskid system and rear disc brakes. Curtain side airbags, which now included rollover deployment, remained optional. An available Premium Package included leather upholstery and heated front seats. A navigation system and remote engine start were newly available.
2008 Pontiac Torrent:
New for 2008 was a sporty Torrent GXP model, with a 264-hp 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. GXPs had a sport suspension and specific trim. This would be the Torrent's final season, to be replaced for 2009 by the GMC Terrain.
Our road test for the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent includes a full evaluation from the inside out. We've evaluated every aspect of the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent and highlighted the vehicle's performance with pros and cons. Use our comprehensive road test ratings to decide if this generation 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent is right for you.
Consumer Guide® Road-Test Evaluation
The GXP's 3.6-liter V6 engine provides very good power delivery from a stop, and for highway passing and merging. The transmission has a tendency to hunt between gears at highway speeds. Base Torrent models have not been tested. Maximum towing capacity is 3500 pounds for all Torrent models. Fuel economy earns no prizes. A test 2WD Torrent GXP averaged 19.9 mpg in mostly highway driving. All models use regular-grade gasoline. The GXP's sport suspension and low-profile tires take a hit on ride quality. Most bumps are felt, but they don't jar. Despite the aggressive suspensions and tire combination, GXP handling quality falls short of sporty. Steering is rather numb, though grip is decent, but quite a bit of body lean occurs in turns. Tracking and straight-line stability are good; so is braking control. Quietness is not a virtue. GXP models are alarmingly coarse. The engine is particularly unrefined, the exhaust note is raspy, and tire noise is excessive. One test model suffered from loud wind whistling around the side windows. Gauges are large and easy to read. Major controls are logically positioned and easy to find. Some test-drivers found the center-console-mounted window switches an annoyance. The available navigation system incorporates audio functions, but does not complicate their use. Quality of interior trim improved for 2008, though the overall tactile experience still trails most competitors. More surfaces are hard and shiny than soft or padded. Front occupants get plenty of headroom and legroom. Seats offer fine support. Thick front roof pillars block vision when cornering, and rear sight lines are hindered by the sloping roof. Rear riders enjoy ample headroom. The clever Multi-flex sliding rear seat adjusts easily to create generous legroom. Split 60/40, it can accommodate three child safety seats; and two can remain in place while one seatback is folded. Cargo room is generous. While the seatbacks don't fold completely flat, they are no major hindrance, either. The height-adjustable cargo shelf is handy but feels flimsy. Cabin storage consists of a smallish center console and shallow glovebox.
Value for the Money
A base Torrent makes some sense as a space-efficient people mover with attractive pricing. Overall refinement trails class leaders, however. Vague steering and sloppy handling take all the fun out of driving. The aggressive GXP offers a meaningful amount of extra power, but suffers from a rough ride and excessive noise. Despite Torrent's relatively low resale value, any number of midsize crossover SUVs deserve a higher place on your shopping list.
A base Torrent makes some sense as a space-efficient people mover with attractive pricing. Overall refinement trails class leaders, however. Vague steering and sloppy handling take all the fun out of driving. The aggressive GXP offers a meaningful amount of extra power, but suffers from a rough ride and excessive noise. Despite Torrent's relatively low resale value, any number of midsize crossover SUVs deserve a higher place on your shopping list.
Expert Ratings Summary
| Category | Torrent GXP w/AWD Rating | |
|---|---|---|
| Performance | 7 | |
| Fuel Economy | 4 | |
| Ride Quality | 4 | |
| Steering/Handling/Braking | 4 | |
| Quietness | 3 | |
| Controls/Materials | 6 | |
| Interior Room | 7 | |
| Room/Comfort (rear) | 6 | |
| Cargo Capacity | 8 | |
| Value within Class | 3 | |
| Total Score: | 52 |
Each vehicle report contains one rating chart for representative model. Consumer
Guide® rates in ten key areas: Performance, Fuel Economy, Ride Comfort, Steering
and Handling, Interior Noise, Controls and Materials, Driver Room, Passenger Room,
Cargo Capacity, and Insurance Costs. These ratings compare the particular vehicle
rated to ALL other vehicles, not a vehicle's standing in a particular class. In the
ratings table, "1" is the lowest rating and "10" is the highest rating.
Our reliability study for this generation Pontiac Torrent includes details on average repair costs, manufacturer recalls, and everything you need to know to gauge the long-term reliability of this generation Pontiac Torrent .
Trouble Spots
Consumer Guide's® Auto Editors have scoured repair bulletins and questioned mechanics to search
for commonly occurring problems for a particular vehicle. In some cases we also give possible manufacturer-suggested
solutions. In many instances these trouble spots are Technical Service Bulletins posted by the manufacturer,
however, we have our own expert looking at additional vehicle problems.
Audio system:
When using a portable music player (e.g. iPod) there may be noise in the car's speakers whenever the vehicle's power adapter is used and a ground loop isolator (from Radio Shack) is required between the device and the power outlet to prevent the noise. (2007-08)
None:
The hatch may be hard to open in cold weather (below freezing) due to problems with the support struts. (2007)
None:
The DVD monitors in the front seat headrests may quit working because the video feed cable comes loose requiring installation of cable clamps. (2007-08)
Windshield washer:
The windshield washers may work poorly or quit working because the filter on the pump gets clogged, and continued attempted use may burn out the pump. (2007-08)
Wipers:
The windshield wipers may only work on one speed and/or the other functions on the turn signal stalk may quit due to voltage spike from the wiper motor damaging the body control module. (2007)
Consumer Guide® Estimated Repair Costs
This table lists costs of likely repairs for comparison with other vehicles. The
dollar amount includes the cost of the part(s) and labor (based on $50 per hour) for the
typical repair without extras or add-ons. Like the pricing information, replacement
costs can vary widely depending on region. Expect charges at a new-car dealership
to be slightly higher.
| Item Name | Repair Cost |
| A/C Compressor | $740 |
| Alternator | $640 |
| Automatic Transmission or Transaxle | $3,120 |
| Brakes | $560 |
| Constant Velocity Joints | $2,250 |
| Exhaust System | $550 |
| Radiator | $650 |
| Shocks and/or Struts | $1,780 |
| Timing Chain or Belt | $1,280 |
Our price chart for this generation Pontiac Torrent details a range of prices in
year-by-year listings based on vehicle mileage and condition.
| Prices | Good | Average | Poor |
|
|
|||
| 2008 | |||
| Torrent | $16,500-18,000 | $15,000-16,400 | $10,600-11,500 |
| Torrent GXP | $19,500-21,500 | $17,900-19,800 | $12,700-14,000 |
| 2007 | |||
| Torrent | $14,500-16,000 | $13,200-14,600 | $9,000-9,900 |
| 2006 | |||
| Torrent | $12,500-14,000 | $11,300-12,600 | $7,100-8,000 |
|
|
|||
This chart details a range of prices in year-by-year listings for vehicles in three condition levels:
Good: a clean low-mileage, solid-running vehicle that needs little or no repair.
Average: a car with normal miles on the odometer, perhaps a few scrapes or dings;
engine might need a minor repair or two, but runs acceptably well.
Poor: might have potentially dangerous problems with the engine and/or body, or
abnormally high mileage; definitely in need of mechanical attention. Valuations
reflect wholesale prices paid by dealers at auction, and retail prices on used-car
lots. Each range covers all trim levels and engine types for a vehicle with a typical
amount of equipment--usually an automatic transmission, air conditioning, stereo,
etc. Fully loaded vehicles may cost more. Average mileage is 12,000 miles per year. Keep
in mind that these are guidelines only. Actual selling prices vary- especially from
region to region.
Specs for this generation Pontiac Torrent include everything from fuel mileage to seating capacity to options availability.
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | 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. | -- | |
| 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. |
||
Powertrain Options and Availability
Regular Torrents used a 3.4-liter engine that developed 185 horsepower, with a five-speed automatic transmission. Introduced for 2008, the Torrent GXP held a 264-hp, 3.6-liter V6 and a six-speed automatic. Torrents may have front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
| Engines | cu. in |
Horse- power | Torque | Transmission: |
Consumer Guide Observed |
| dohc V61 | 3.6 / 217 | 264 | 250 | 6-speed automatic: 16/24 | 6-speed automatic: -- |
| ohv V61 | 3.4 / 204 | 185 | 210 | 5-speed automatic: 17/24 | 5-speed automatic: -- |
|
1. EPA Note: Figures shown are for 2008 models. The Environmental Protection Agency changed its procedure for 2008 to yield more realistic estimates. Therefore, estimated mileage is lower than for prior years. Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist. |
|||||
Built In: Canada
Drive Wheels: transverse front-engine/front- or all-wheel drive
Detailed safety information for this generation Pontiac Torrent include detailed crash test scores from the NHTSA.
NHTSA Crash-Test Results
| Test | 2008 Pontiac Torrent |
|---|---|
| Front Impact, Driver | 5 |
| Front Impact, 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%. Sideimpact 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%.
Learn about official auto recalls, reliability issues, and vehicle problems for the 2006-2008 Pontiac Torrent directly from the NHTSA and manufacturers.
NHTSA Recall History
2007 Torrent:
Incorrect primer may have been used when installing windshield, so it may not be retained properly in a crash.
2007 Torrent:
Right front-passenger seat's sensing system may fail to respond correctly if a small adult or a child is occupying that seat.
2007 Torrent without roof rail airbags or sunroof:
An interior surface falls short of a Federal safety standard and poses an increased risk of head injury in a crash. Dealers will install an energy-absorbing foam piece to each of the A-pillar trim assemblies.
2007 w/o optional roof rail airbags:
Airbags or optional sunroof may not comply with federal safety standards, increasing risk of head injury in a crash.
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