2006 Pontiac Torrent Road Test

Just What Pontiac Needs

Ever heard of the California International Auto Show? The Anaheim- based event is not exactly revered to the same level as the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the annual auto show in Chicago or for that matter the Los Angeles auto show just down the road, but nevertheless its large surrounding population of car crazy Southern Californians attracted the biggest automaker in the business to debut two new models and announce another, late last year.

Top of the introductions was the upcoming 2006 Hummer H3, a model that is now making its presence known in better neighborhoods everywhere, followed by Pontiacs V8-powered Grand Prix GXP, giggle-inducing fun at an entry-level premium price point. As important as the H3 was to Hummer, the announcement of a new crossover SUV for Pontiac, the 2006 Torrent, was critical. Pontiac has been under fire recently, from automotive scribes and GM insiders alike, for failure to meet sales projections with

In the Californian sun or on snowy roads, the Torrent is at home. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

some of its larger, more expensive sedan models, not to mention its poorly received Aztek crossover.

The Torrent, which effectually replaces the Aztek, appears to be nothing less than a slightly modified Chevy Equinox. This is no bad thing, however, as the Equinox delivers top-tier compact-to-midsize class driving-dynamics as well as tremendous interior room.

The Pontiac version receives the requisite bisected grille, a monochromatic paint scheme, sporty 16-inch 5-spoke alloy wheels, unique interior styling cues and upgraded materials, all of which make it look miles more attractive than many in this class. Even its plastics quality is pretty good,

The Torrent is a handsome vehicle with monochromatic paint, a stylish front fascia and nice, simple alloy wheels. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

except for a few areas where it gets beat by some imported competitors. I was especially impressed with its switchgear, however, an area where GM comes close to leading the entry-level segment, oddly enough. I say oddly, because it was only a couple of years ago that I could never have imagined saying such a thing, and now its product planners, designers, engineers, bean counters, top-line executives, production workers and suppliers have pulled up their collective socks to deliver some truly impressive new vehicle interiors.

Where GM has made similar strides is in chassis architecture improvements, and the Torrent is no exception. Its suspension setup feels more car-like

A Pontiac that feels European, but built in Canada. Go figure. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

than most of its competitors, not in the way it rides over bumps and potholes, necessarily, but more so in how it maneuvers around them. Pontiac is one of GMs sportier brands, or at least it has traditionally been marketed towards customers who appreciate performance over practicality. The brand hasnt always delivered on its performance promises, mind you, with mildly revised versions of Chevrolet, Buick or Oldsmobile vehicles coming to mind. That Aztek was one of them, and to be fair, so is this Torrent. Fortunately for Pontiac, the Equinox is already a decent performer in the curves at least, so a reasonably large set of standard alloy rims here, plus a slightly more rigid suspension setup there, and it feels a little more European than mid-West, U.S.A. (or should I say Ingersoll,

It may be FWD, but the Torrent has enough grip to deal with winter unless pushed into deep snow. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

Ontario, Canada, where it is manufactured).

During my test week the Torrent didnt only handle corners well in dry conditions, while tracking confidently at higher speeds, but the front-wheel drive version even managed slippery West Coast snow and icy patches without any concern. My long-term front-wheel drive Sonata GLS V6 was turned back at the base of our local ski resort while transporting my son to Tiny Tots ski classes, forcing me to call Jennifer, my wife, for those of you who dont read the long-term updates, to see if she could swap vehicles with me. She just happened to be a few blocks away driving into the local shopping center, and brought the Torrent up the road to meet me. We swapped child seats, and when I pulled up to the "judges" at the base of the hill, they had no trouble

Plenty of rear-seat room in the back of Torrent, for kids and adults alike. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

letting me by. Of course, they didnt ask whether or not the "SUV" was equipped with four-wheel drive, but just assumed it would be. It wasnt, although on the Torrents side were better mud and snow rated all-season tires and standard traction control. While the Sonata, which doesnt have traction control in the trim level Hyundai gave me, might have experienced no difficulty getting up the mountain, the Torrent drove up without putting a wheel sideways.

At the top, however, while tracking through slightly deeper snow in the parking lot, I almost got stuck. I purposely drove slowly through some of the white stuff while trying to get into an empty parking spot, and it quickly bogged down, the traction control system slipping and then completely shutting down power to the front wheels. Fortunately I was able to reverse out. I suppose, if it were my Torrent Id have

Instrumentation hints more at performance than at off-roading. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

already opted for all-wheel drive and be done with it. No doubt this would have made a big difference.

Going down, the Torrents standard ABS brakes came in handy. I chose to go a little faster than would have otherwise been prudent, and then slammed on the brakes to test their capability. This is a good exercise for anyone to do, by the way, just so that you get a feel for how ABS brakes work and by so doing learn what to expect if an emergency arises. As anticipated, after multiple attempts to skid out of control, the brakes stopped me in my tracks; even turning the Torrent in the direction the wheels were pointed.

Only the front wheels feature disc brakes, incidentally, the rears getting drums. And while I dont have anything against drums for trucks and 4x4s, as they can pose advantages, for a car-like crossover theres no reason to not even offer them. Cmon Pontiac, this is supposed to be a "performance" SUV. Why cant

Did I mention that it has nice wheels? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, American Auto Press)

I get rear discs even when the price hedges close to $30K?

On that note Ive got a few additional beefs about the Torrent, but just the same I havent finished telling you about its many positive attributes yet either. Ill get to the negatives in a minute, after I tell you why it rides and handles so well. The Equinox features a traditional MacPherson strut front suspension matched up to an independent four-link, coil sprung rear setup. While not as off-road biased as the old Tracker, which used a solid rear axle, a configuration thats actually preferred by 4x4 purists, an independent suspension is much more enjoyable, and for that matter much safer when driving on pavement, where the Torrent, like most crossover-style SUVs, will spend the majority of its time.

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