2007 Pontiac Torrent Review
Add your own review or comments

By New Car Test Drive

Overview

The Pontiac Torrent is based on a car chassis, and emphasizes a smooth ride and interior versatility. The Torrent comes standard with a V6. The Torrent shares its basic structure with the Chevy Equinox. It's based on a front-wheel-drive platform but all-wheel drive is available for winter weather.

We found the Torrent delivers quick acceleration and its styling is restrained, clean and pleasing. Inside, the available leather seats are nice, the premium stereo sounds good, and the low dash offers a good view of the road ahead. The back seat slides and reclines according to your needs for extended leg room or more cargo space.

Options include a clever cargo storage system with handy bins in the floor and wheel wells, plus a lightweight polycarbonate shelf that can be placed in various positions for differing needs; it has hooks for grocery bags and can be configured as a table for tailgate parties. Three 12-volt power outlets come standard.

New features for 2007 include four-wheel disc brakes and StabiliTrak electronic stability control, all of which come standard. Dual-stage front airbags for driver and passenger now include GM's Passenger Sensing System; and the optional head-curtain side-impact air bags are now wired to detect rollovers. A tire pressure monitor is now standard. Torrent has earned a five-star (best) rating in federal frontal crash tests.

Also new for 2007 is an electronic Driver Information Center, located in instrument cluster, that combines 20 personalization and vehicle information features. A remote starter is now available, as are three new audio systems, one including navigation. And not one but two different grades of chrome rims are now available for hip urban rolling.

Model Lineup

The 2007 Pontiac Torrent comes with a choice of front-wheel drive ($22,455) or all-wheel drive ($23,965). Torrent is powered by GM's 3.4-liter V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. Only one trim level is offered, but with a variety of options and packages.

Standard equipment includes air conditioning, power windows, AM/FM/CD with six speakers, remote entry and automatic door locks, fog lamps, roof rails, daytime running lights, a rear window wiper, and 16-inch aluminum wheels.

The Preferred Package ($1,750), expanded for '07, includes an auto-dimming inside rearview mirror with compass, along with cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, six way power for the driver's seat, up-level cloth upholstery, full-width rear cargo net, carpeted front and rear floor mats, and a remote starter. Preferred Package buyers may add leather seating ($845). An optional Security Package ($1,090) combines side curtain airbags (now with rollover sensing) and one year of OnStar service. Multiple audio/entertainment choices are available, including a six-disc CD changer with MP3 playback ($135), XM Satellite Radio ($199), a premium seven-speaker sound system ($325), AM/FM/CD/MP3 with navigation ($2,145), and a rear-seat DVD player ($995). The Sun and Sound Package ($1,455) combines a power sunroof with the seven-speaker audio system and six-disc changer. Stand-alone options include cruise control ($175); heated front seats ($250); luggage rack crossbars ($150); engine block heater ($50); trailer package ($350); multi-function cargo panel ($175); and remote starter vehicle prep ($30). Also available are 17-inch aluminum wheels ($295), chrome-clad ($750), or chrome-plated ($850).

Safety features that come standard include four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, StabiliTrak stability control, a rear child-seat latch system, tire-pressure monitor, and the mandated front airbags. Front-drive Torrents come with traction control as well.