What Is It?

2006 Pontiac Torrent

What's Special About It?

General Motors won't rest until there's a sport-utility vehicle in every garage, or so it seems as Pontiac is the final GM division to introduce its own SUV. Based on a platform shared with the Saturn Vue, the all-new Pontiac Torrent is a near spitting image of last year's new comer, the Chevrolet Equinox.

Like the Equinox, the five-passenger Torrent technically competes in the compact SUV class, although its nearly 113-inch wheelbase pushes it size-wise up against the likes of a Toyota 4Runner. Inside, Pontiac makes creative use of all available space with numerous storage caverns to hide a growing family's goodies. The 60/40-split rear seat adjusts backward to provide more legroom to rear-seat passengers or forward to increase cargo capacity by nearly 5 cubic feet. The rear cargo area also benefits from a lightweight shelf that's configurable in numerous ways.

Power comes from a 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter V6 engine mated to a five-speed automatic transmission, a setup equal to the Equinox's power plant. Both front-wheel- and all-wheel-drive models are available, with antilock brakes standard on all-wheel-drive versions, and traction control standard on front-wheel-drive Torrents equipped with ABS.

What's Edmunds' Take?

Numerous similarities aside, the Equinox looks every bit a Chevy while the Torrent gets the typical Pontiac treatment, including twin-port front grilles and instruments and gauges backlit with Pontiac's signature red illumination. The Equinox has already proven itself an appealing package with a competitive price, but if you're looking for a sportier, less-trucky appearance, the few unique Pontiac touches could be enough to lure you into a Torrent instead. The Torrent goes on sale in the fall of 2005. — Kelly Toepke