Driving Impressions

The Pontiac Torrent gets good acceleration out of its 185-hp V6 engine. In fact, it's not hard to spin the front wheels when taking off quickly, even though the front-drive Torrent comes with traction control to mitigate that. The engine uses an overhead-valve design, so it's not as efficient as a modern overhead-cam engine. Nor is it as smooth and quiet as the more sophisticated Toyota V6. Torrent's fuel economy rating has improved for 2008 to an EPA City/Highway rating of 19/26 miles per gallon. That's up from its '07 rating of 19/24 mpg, which is impressive, given that most vehicles are getting lower fuel economy ratings for 2008 due to new EPA test procedures. We averaged only 18 mpg in our front-drive test vehicle, but it had logged fewer than 600 miles on the odometer when we got it, and engines often loosen up and deliver better mileage as they are more completely broken in. The Torrent AWD models are rated at 18/25 mpg. The five-speed automatic transmission may be the smoothest thing about the Torrent. The upshifts are nice and tight. There's good engine torque, peaking at 210 pound-feet, and the gear ratios and electronically variable shift points are well matched. We found the Torrent didn't have to downshift on a hill where transmissions in many other vehicles downshifted, including those far more powerful than the Torrent. The Torrent is rated to tow up to 3500 pounds. The Torrent offers good handling for the class without any sign of harshness to the ride. The longest wheelbase and widest track in the class surely add to this capability. The ride was good, even over some rough gravel roads. StabiliTrak, now standard on all Torrents, helps drivers maintain control during sudden maneuvers or in low-traction conditions by using a comprehensive series of sensors to measure acceleration, deceleration, steering angle and yaw rate. A computer monitors these inputs and automatically reduces engine power and/or selectively brakes one or more wheels to help maintain the course that the driver intended. Four-wheel disc brakes and ABS come standard. Electronic Brake-force Distribution is not available, however, even though it can be especially helpful in just this kind of vehicle, that is, one that might well carry varying loads. Torrents feature dual-mode (analog-digital) equipment. Using the GPS satellite network and wireless technology, OnStar offers core safety services plus Hands-Free Calling, now with more intuitive continuous digit dialing and improved voice-recognition accuracy. An externally mounted antenna improves reception. OnStar's optional Directions & Connections Plan with Turn-by-Turn Navigation is available on the Torrent. This service allows OnStar customers to talk to a live advisor, who in turn sends step-by-step directions that are automatically played through the vehicle's stereo. The directions play as they are needed, triggered by OnStar's GPS capability. This will allow drivers to be led to their destination while keeping their hands on the wheel and their eyes on the road. OnStar is an excellent safety feature because its operators will direct help to your vehicle should your airbag deploy and you fail to respond to their calls.

Final Word

The Pontiac Torrent is among the biggest of the compact SUVs. It's a competent vehicle with some nice convenience features, such as a sliding rear seat. In terms of refinement it's about average for the class. A five-star crash rating and competitive safety features 'add to its appeal. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Sam Moses filed this report from the Columbia River Gorge; Mitch McCullough contributed to this report from Los Angeles.