Click here for the Ride&Drive Index!

Posted November, 2007

Road Test: 2008 Pontiac Torrent GXP

By Kevin S. Lowery

The general feeling in the automotive press about the original 2006 Torrent when it premiered at the Detroit International Auto Show was blah. After all, who could get excited over a badged Chevy Equinox? It was an all-around, great “get from point A to point B” crossover utility vehicle (CUV), yet lacked something exciting for the driver. That would be acceptable if it wasn’t a Pontiac whose bold motto is “We Build Excitement!”

Never fear, this is typical G.M. Their new cars are like new software. Never buy the major updates; wait for the .01 or .02 version. They’ll get it right, eventually. This year, with the advent of the 2008 Pontiac Torrent AWD GXP it’s one of those special years! This is the finest new model addition in a long time. We could have had it for another month and still been depressed at it’s departure.

This new model kicks it into high gear with a 3.6-liter V6 with VVT (variable valve timing.) Rated at 252 horsepower at 6300 rpm and 251 pounds-per-feet of torque at 3200 rpm. This engine gets the party started. Combine that with a new HydraMatic 6T70 electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission and you have a car that can get out of its own way—and more.

The exterior is still a simple-yet-sporty look. It’s always been attractive but now, underneath the skin, it has the backbone to prove it—regardless whether it’s a sedan or a coupe. These Torrent GXP “street edition” models has a new front fascia which includes fog lamps; braided, polished stainless steel upper and outboard lower grille inserts and chrome surrounds on the upper grille sections that lead to a revised hood with scoops. To top it off, new body-side rocker moldings and two exhausts (chrome tips), and a rear “hammerhead” spoiler are standard. And, let’s not to forget the wheels. These models come with a full eighteen-inch set. (Black chrome-finish is available.)

The sportiness of the vehicle was carried over into the interior without compromising comfort. Whether in the front or the back seat, it was roomy—the kind of automobile I could have taken on a long trip. That says a lot considering there are many vehicles we test we wouldn’t even consider driving the forty-five minutes to Washington, D.C!. The seats were bolstered, but not dramatically so. It’s the Baby Bear of seats; just right. (We were driving the Acura RDX at the time and overwhelmingly preferred the comfort of the Torrent.)

A car with all these features included, however, should have had the door lock switches illuminated for safety reasons. And, there were enough cup holders (four in front, two in door pockets and two in back) to satisfy everyone.

Standard features include tilt/telescopic steering wheel, racing-style gauges with true-red LED instrument backlighting (bright, but adjustable), automatic climate control, power windows, power door locks, power mirrors, AM/FM/CD player, variable intermittent wipers, tachometer and theft-deterrent system, driver’s side six-way power seat, power adjustable pedals, heated seats, leather seating surfaces, in-dash six-disc CD changer and remote vehicle start. Torrent GXP-specific leather-appointed seating with two-tone inserts is available.

On the road, the Torrent GXP coupe and sedan are equipped with specially tuned suspensions, due in part to GM’s StabiliTrak electronic stability control system, also standard. This includes four-channel ABS (front-wheel ABS and AWD are optional.) If you’re a fan of taking curves at a clip, chopping off apexes and really putting it through its paces you will love this vehicle. It’s handling was very tight and controlled, so much like a German car, like Volkswagen. Diehard VW owners, like my neighbors, were impressed—for an American vehicle, they hastened to add. Uh-huh.

Additional vehicle highlights include an impressive list of standard features: dual-stage front driver and front passenger air bags with GM’s Passenger Sensing System; head curtain side-impact air bags with rollover protection; five-passenger seating, flat-folding front passenger seat for longer cargo items; power door locks with remote keyless entry; power windows; air conditioning; tilt steering and rear liftgate with defogger and washer/wiper. Also included is an auxiliary audio input jack and an electronic driver information center. Available features include OnStar, as well as entertainment features such as a six-disc in-dash CD changer, a navigation system and a DVD player.

We drove a Torrent AWD GXP with everything on it including optional leather seats, head curtain side airbags and XM satellite radio with first three months included (to which I have become addicted. Sigh). The base price of the car is $28,980, totaling out, with all possible options, at $30,975. We were unimpressed with the gas mileage, though, which is 16mpg city/24mpg highway. That fact aside, it’s nice to see a Pontiac with more of that old-time excitement! (Eat your heart out, Viagra!) R&D