NEW TORRENT HAS CAR-LIKE QUALITIES!

(c) Copyright 2005, Contra Costa Times. All Rights Reserved.

Surprisingly, I took an immediate liking to the 2006 Pontiac Torrent.
Usually, testing a sport utility vehicle requires more effort -- starting
with the climb up into the driver's seat.

The Torrent, however, is as easy to enter and sit in as a sedan. Using
six-way power adjustments on the driver's seat and the tilt-steering wheel,
plus a height adjuster, I was able to find comfort with a clear view of the
road. After starting the engine and getting underway, it didn't take long
to appreciate how maneuverable and easy the Torrent is to drive. Here's a
vehicle that has the SUV advantages of hauling cargo, but feels more like a
car when driving.

The ride quality is also refined. I'm not suggesting that it's lush and
quiet as an upscale sedan, but the Torrent's independent suspension system
makes it easy to glide over road bumps in a manner similar to a sedan. Fact
is, this Pontiac became so tantalizing, I began driving it like a
performance sedan, but it didn't measure up to that challenge.

Because the ride quality is so impressive, I inquired why it felt so
different. I learned that the FE2 Sport Suspension package includes shock
valuing and electric power steering tuned to provide crisp, responsive
handling. I was also told that it has all the latest safety features,
including roof-rail side curtain airbags.

Those are not the only car-like characteristics of this all-new SUV. It's a
very agile vehicle and easy to maneuver in tight areas, such as a crowded
parking lot. On winding roads, it's very responsive to each turn of the
steering wheel.

The Torrent doesn't have a powerful engine as the 3.4-liter V6 engine only
produces 185 horsepower, yet it does generate 210 pounds-foot of torque,
which provides good acceleration. Nor does it consume as much gas compared
to other SUVs, yet there's nothing outstanding with the EPA mileage rating
of 19 city and 24 highway. The other financial consideration is the price.
My tester was $22,400, plus destination charges. With a load of options it
came to $28,335.

This Torrent had front-wheel drive; for those who want to do some
off-roading or who live in the Snow Belt regions, all-wheel drive is
available.

After my initial drive I did a walk-around, eyeballing the styling and
checking out the rear seats and cargo areas. The hood is comparatively
short, which is another reason for the good visibility. Although the
Pontiac emblem is on the nose, the styling seems to have a European flavor.

There's a pull-out two-prong cup holder between the front seats, another
two-prong cup holder for the three-passenger rear seat. It has a limited
number of personal storage areas, plus a couple of slots for maps, but
that's about it. An ashtray holder is on the floor between the two front
seats.

The 60/40 rear seats have an 8-inch fore-and-aft travel, which provide
either good legroom or extra storage space. The front passenger seat
backrest can be lowered flat for transporting a long object. It also has
roof rails for transporting extra cargo.

My tester came with several options including XM Satellite radio. What was
unusual was that it seemed to have a surround-sound quality but couldn't I
determine the reason, nevertheless, the seven-speaker system made for
enjoyable listening. While on the sound subject, I opened the sunroof and
it didn't have the usual annoying air-rush sound. Another sound system is
OnStar, which was part of the option package. Another enjoyable sound came
from the engine compartment: it just seemed to purr.