L.A. Auto Show: Pontiac Torrent
Ah, the old nose and deck job on the Equinox eh? The Torrent wears the Pontiac badge pretty well, but nothing earth-shattering here. All the options you would come to expect are here, including the sliding rear seat from the aforementioned Chevy. No engine choices, just the old 3400 boat anchor (this truck truly should have gotten something a little newer and nicer) making 185 hp. The Torrent's suspension sounds like it has been tuned a little tighter than the Equinox. 16-inch wheels are standard and 17's optional. Dash looks clean, and is lit by red backlighting. It will be in showrooms at the second half of '05. Click through for more pictures.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Paul Watson 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Is it just me or does that not look like a BMW X5?
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Tom 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Easily the best looking version of this platform. No silly looking chrome smile as with the Chevy model. Hopefully the wheels won't break off like the Saturn.
Too bad they didn't give this platform to Saab. That clamshell hood looks like it came out of Trollhattan. Good profile to go with the 9-5 wagon and Imprezaab. But I guess this is where the 9-3x is going - if we ever see it.
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David Thomas 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Looks great IMO
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SGV 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Whatever
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Robert Stein 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Did they make that Torrent badge on the dash with a P-touch label maker?
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David Thomas 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
R. Stein,
If the nameplate is like the one in the Equinox and Saturn it's really horrible. It's raised plastic! and rough plastic at that. looks super cheap.
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Jason R 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
My first reaction was: "meh." Then I 'continued reading' and I quite like it. It has a good stance and looks like a very nice interior. I'd consider it if I were anywhere near the market for a midsize SUV.
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Geoff 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Good one, Robert S!
I quite like the looks of this SUV inside and out. It's sporty and clean on the outside, and stylish (for a relatively inexpensive SUV) on the inside. From what I can see, I particularly like the gauge cluster.
As for how it drives, I'll leave that up to the experts, like Dave, to review.
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David Thomas 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Well I'd guess it's just like the equinox.
http://www.autoblog.com/entry/5181876987686287/
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philly 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Looks nice from the front and inside, but does the back look "ass-heavy" to anyone else?
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SGV 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
More like ass-ugly and borrowing heavily from the Grand Cherokee
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David Thomas 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
sgv tell us what you really think
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Walter J Keegan 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Throw a Blue Oval on the grill and SGV would love it! :-)
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SGV 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
You think? ;)
Alright is not so bad. You know what I hate? The new GM interiors. Although well executed they are generic and I interpret them and a total and unconditional bow to the Japanese design...which isn't that good to start with. Ford has done a much better job but based too much on nostalgia.
About this particular Torrent? The rear end is very Grand Cherokee. The side is alright and the front end is FUGLY. I don't know why Pontiac can make a decent looking front end... I think that Mercury did a much better job with the Mariner that Pontiac did with the Torrent. They are both badge engineering at the end. I'd like to see more differentiation in the future.
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SGV 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Walt,
I don't see where would a blue oval fit in that ugly front end but it would certainly help :)
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Steve 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
I like it. By the way, SVG, if Pontiac makes so many ugly front ends, how come the Montana outsells the Venture ? Forget about the Aztec though, its ugly !
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AzTekkin2002 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
Well, it's no Aztek, but it'll do when I become a soccer mom...wait, I'm a guy and not planning on kids. Guess I'll stick to the more "Controvertial" look of the 'Tek.
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erraticattic 10:33PM (12/18/2005)
I don't give a rat's a~~ about the car. I'd like to know who does the music for their TV ads. Anyone know?
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