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Pontiac finally has its first sport utility vehicle.

And with gasoline prices spiking to the heavens, it’s just the kind of SUV that might do well as larger, gas-guzzling models fizzle in the marketplace.

It’s the 2006 Torrent, with EPA fuel-economy ratings of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 24 mpg on the highway (for the front-wheel-drive model). That’s much better than the mileage for larger SUVs such as the midsize Chevrolet TrailBlazer, rated as low as 15 city/18 highway (V-8) or 16/21 (inline six); and the Ford Explorer, with estimates of 14 city/19 highway (V-8) or 16/21 (V-6).

The Torrent (base price $22,400 plus $590 freight) went on sale in late summer as the replacement in Pontiac’s lineup for the ugly-duckling Aztek, which some might have called an SUV, but which was billed by General Motors as a “sport activity vehicle” instead.

Whatever they called it, the Aztek didn’t work, and after just four years on the market, GM dumped it and said “Good riddance.”

It’s not that the Aztek wasn’t a good idea — taking a minivan, making it a bit shorter, giving it only two rows of seats, and trying to market it as a sort-of SUV.

Where the Aztek failed was in its styling, which was just plain ugly. Ironically, underneath the gawky exterior was a very good car, but only stalwart consumers saw past the car’s looks. Those who did, and who actually bought the Aztek, liked it just fine. But that car is history now, and we have the Torrent, a conventional-looking compact SUV, to take its place.

The Torrent offers decent exterior styling, along with a well-designed interior and the utility of an SUV that can be outfitted with all-wheel drive. It’s not an off-road vehicle, but the AWD system is fine for foul-weather driving and light trail duty.

This first Pontiac SUV actually is a slightly reworked version of the Chevrolet Equinox, which was introduced last year. And both, actually, are extensively reworked versions of the Saturn Vue, which was introduced three years ago.

The Torrent and Equinox look a lot alike, however, while the Vue– although on the same chassis as the other two — is quite different (including its Honda V-6 engine).

These vehicles make up GM’s three-pronged attack on the popular Ford Escape and its new Mercury clone, the Mariner, which went on sale last fall. If the Equinox does well, and Vue sales continue to grow, then the Torrent will have much better chances of becoming a star in the Pontiac lineup. Having decent fuel economy for an SUV won’t hurt.

Under the hood is the same 3.4-liter V-6 engine used in the Equinox. It has 185 horsepower and 210 foot-pounds of torque, so it’s quite peppy for a small sport utility such as this.

There is no four-cylinder version of the Torrent or Equinox. The Vue does come in a four-cylinder model, with even better fuel economy (23 city/28 highway), but most consumers opt for the 250-horsepower Honda V-6 that is exclusive to the Vue.

The Torrent’s V-6 engine is connect to a smooth-shifting five-speed automatic transmission; no manual gearbox is offered (again, a departure from the Vue).

Helping to hold the fuel consumption down in the Torrent is its relatively low weight of just 3,660 pounds in base form, about 800 pounds less than the TrailBlazer and Explorer.

Readers often ask me why the auto manufacturers don’t make large SUVs with gas mileage as good as the smaller cars. The short answer is that it takes more fuel to push a heavier vehicle down the road. Taking weight out of a vehicle gives it better fuel economy, but that’s hard to do with a huge SUV.

Think smaller vehicle if you want better fuel economy — it’s that simple. That’s why the compact SUVs like the Torrent are still selling well even as overall sport utility sales have fallen.

Still, though, the Torrent is one of the largest vehicles in its segment, partcularly on the inside, where it offers segment-leading legroom for rear-seat passengers.

It’s also easily configured for cargo-hauling. The second seat is on rails and can be moved rearward to create the ample legroom, or it can be moved nearly a foot forward to increase the length of the cargo area. It also has a 60/40 split-folding feature for the rear seat.

With the rear seat in place, the cargo area measures 32.2 cubic feet. Folded, the cargo area increases dramatically.

Even the front passenger seat can be folded to accommodate longer cargo, such as skis and ski poles. Of course, you’ll be driving alone if you take advantage of this feature, as the driver’s seat will be the only one left.

For passenger comfort, the rear seat also reclines. I haven’t seen that in other SUVs of this size or price.

These vehicles also have the widest rear door openings in their segment, making entry and exit easier, GM says.

The rear seat is comfortable for two full-size adults, and a third can sit back there for a while without feeling too cramped.

The front bucket seats are about as comfortable as I’ve found on a compact sport utility, and as comfy as those of most midsize cars.

Pontiac says the Torrent has a specially tuned four-wheel independent suspension system that “allows for the utility and capability of an SUV without sacrificing the precision handling characteristics normally associated with a performance car.”

On some twisty Hill Country roads, I found the Torrent easier to handle than the average midsize or large SUV, but that’s a product of its origins. It’s a car-based crossover, with unibody construction (integrated body and frame), rather than having a body-on-frame arrangement like traditional truck-based SUVs.

This setup gives the Torrent carlike ride and handling, although the driver still must keep in mind that this is a sport utility vehicle with a higher profile and center of gravity than a car, and therefore can’t be driven around curves the way one would drive a car.

Standard features include power door locks with remote keyless entry, power windows, air conditioning, rear liftgate with defogger and washer/wiper, AM/FM/compact-disc stereo with six speakers, 16-inch aluminum wheels, four-channel antilock brakes and traction control on front-drive models (antilock brakes on all-wheel-drive versions), luggage rack, projector-beam fog lights, electric power steering, tilt steering wheel, dual front map lights, manual height adjustment for the driver’s seat, power fold-in outside mirrors, and dual-stage front air bags.

Roof-rail side-curtain air bags are optional.

Other available options include leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, heated driver and front passenger seats (for cloth and leather seats), six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels, CD/MP3 stereo with six-disc CD changer and subwoofer, steering-wheel radio controls, power sunroof, multi-tier rear cargo system, OnStar and XM satellite radio.

Our test car came with three options packages.

The “Preferred Package” ($1,555) added the power driver’s seat, deep-tinted glass, premium cloth upholstery, cruise control, self-dimming rearview mirror with compass and outside-temperature readout, the steering-wheel audio controls, luggage-rack crossbars, leather-wrapped steering wheel, carpeted floor mats, and a cargo convenience net

A “Sun and Sound Package” ($1,285) tacked on a tilt/sliding sunroof, as well as an upgraded Pioneer seven-speaker stereo with six-disc in-dash CD player, subwoofer and amplifier.

And the “Security Package” ($1,090) gave us those side-curtain air bags an OnStar with one year of service.

Other extras on our vehicle included XM radio ($325), and 17-inch aluminum wheels with all-season tires ($295).

Options totaled $4,550, bringing the total sticker on our car to $27,540, including freight.

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G. Chambers Williams III is staff automotive columnist for the San Antonio Express-News and former transportation writer for the Star-Telegram. His automotive columns have appeared regularly in the Star-Telegram since 1995. Contact him at (210) 250-3236; chambers@star-telegram.com.

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At a Glance: 2006 Pontiac Torrent

The package: Compact, five-passenger, four-door, front- or all-wheel-drive, V-6 powered sport utility vehicle.

Highlights: This is Pontiac’s first compact SUV, designed to battle the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. It debuted this past summer, and is based on the chassis architecture of the Chevrolet Equinox and Saturn Vue. It’s stylish, roomy and dequately powered.

Negatives: Only one engine offered; no base model with four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox for those on a budget.

Engine: 3.4-liter V-6.

Transmission: Five-speed automatic.

Power/torque: 185 hp/210 foot-pounds.

Brakes, front/rear: Disc/drum, antilock.

Length: 188.8 inches.

Base curb weight: 3,660 pounds (front drive; 3,776 (all-wheel drive).

Cargo capacity: 32.2 cubic feet (rear seat in place); 68.6 (rear seat folded).

Trailer-towing capacity: 3,500 pounds.

EPA fuel economy: 19 miles per gallon city/25 highway (front drive); 18 city/24 highway (AWD).

Fuel capacity/type: 16.6 gallons/regular unleaded.

Base price: $22,400 plus $590 freight.

Price as tested: $27,540 (front-drive model, including freight and options).

Major competitors: Hyundai Santa Fe, Kia Sorento, Ford Escape/Mercury Mariner/Mazda Tribute, Toyota RAV4, Honda CR-V, Honda Element, Chevrolet Equinox, Jeep Liberty, Nissan Xterra, Saturn Vue, Mitsubishi Outlander, Subaru Legacy Outback, Suzuki Grand Vitara.

On the Road rating: **** (four stars out of five).

Prices shown are manufacturer’s suggested retail; actual selling price may vary according to manufacturer and/or dealer incentives, rebates and discounts, if any.