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By Steven Cole SmithOrlando Sentinel
October 14, 2007
"Torrent" always seemed like a rather ambitious name for Pontiac's mid-sized sport ute, as there was nothing at all torrential about any aspect of this Canadian-built SUV -- its performance, its design, and as it turned out, its sales. The Torrent, introduced as a 2006 model, is essentially a twin to the Chevrolet Equinox. Pontiac had no SUV, unless you count its ill-fated Aztek, so it wasn't a tough engineering feat to make a few changes to the Equinox and sell it as a Pontiac. For its first two years, the Torrent offered one engine, a Chinese-built 3.4-liter, 185-horsepower V-6, mated to an automatic transmission. You could get it in front- or all-wheel-drive, but the Torrent, even with AWD, isn't well-suited to rugged off-road work. For 2008, Pontiac still sells that Torrent, but adds another model: The Torrent GXP. And suddenly, the name fits a little better. The GXP gets a 3.6-liter V-6 we've come to appreciate in the Cadillac CTS, along with a six-speed automatic transmission. Pontiac claims a 0-to-60 mph time of a brisk 6.9 seconds, and that seems entirely plausible. The test model, a front-wheel-drive GXP, retained what we like about the Torrent -- a comfortable interior, nice lines, a general feeling of being "right-sized," or big enough to handle most chores, and small enough to be nimble around town. The GXP package adds new front bucket seats, a stiffened suspension and 18-inch tires and wheels. Safety features include stability control, traction control, antilock disc brakes and OnStar. Side-curtain airbags are a $395 option. Additional options included a trailering package, leather upholstery, XM satellite radio and a "Sun and Sound" package that added a sunroof and an upgraded stereo. This raised the GXP's price from $27,380 to $31,015, including $615 in shipping. A satellite-linked navigation system is also offered for $2,145, but that would buy a lot of road maps. The base 2008 Torrent is $23,470, including shipping. So for the extra power, the extra gear in the transmission (base Torrents have five-speed automatics) and the other stuff you get with the GXP, you'll pay at least $4,000 more. It may be worth it. This 3.6-liter V-6, a world-class engine since it was introduced, really wakes up the Torrent, and the six-speed automatic is precise and perceptive. EPA-rated mileage is 16 miles per gallon city, 24 highway. The GXP's handling is definitely a notch above the regular Torrent, but this remains a fairly tall, two-ton SUV, so no one will confuse it with a Mazda Miata. The ride is a little rougher than a regular Torrent, but it's well within the comfort range. Sentinel Automotive Editor Steven Cole Smith can be reached at scsmith@orlandosentinel.com.
Find a USED 2008 Torrent for SaleFind used car inventory in your area.
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