Pontiac Torrent



The Pontiac Torrent is a SUV sold by the Pontiac division of General Motors and replaced the U-body Aztek SUV and Montana minivan for 2006. Though the vehicle seats five, the vehicle does not properly replace the Montana. The GMC Acadia replaces the Montana. Basically, the Torrent is an upscale Chevrolet Equinox on the Theta platform. The Torrent was introduced at the 2005 Los Angeles Auto Show and went on sale in late summer 2005.

The Torrent shares its basic body structure and mechanicals with the Equinox; however, the Torrent has a different front and rear end which makes it appear like a Pontiac rather than a Chevrolet. The suspension was also modified to be firmer and sportier and was dubbed FE2. Finally, the electronic power steering was also recalibrated to deliver a firmer, less artificial feel. The Torrent shares the Equinox's 185 hp 3.4 L V6 built in China. It is mated to a 5-speed Automatic transmission.

The Pontiac Torrent was featured in Survivor in 2005 as one of the prizes.

For the 2008 model year, General Motors will add a GXP trim for the Torrent. The Torrent GXP will feature a 3.6L engine, which will be mated to a 6T70 6-speed automatic transmission.

See Wikicars' comprehensive Pontiac Torrent Review.

Recent Changes

 * The Torrent will be discontinued after 2008.

Styles and Major Options
Base/SPORT FWD, Base/SPORT AWD, GXP FWD, GXP AWD

Gas Mileage
Torrent AUTOMATIC FWD 19 City/24 Highway Torrent AUTOMATIC AWD 18 City/23 Highway

Reliability
The Torrent has a 100,000 mile warranty.

Colors
The colors for the 2008 Pontiac Torrent: Black, Bright White, Granite Gray Metallic, Liquid Silver Metallic, Sedona Beige Metallic, Sonoma Red Metallic, Carbon Black Metallic, Deep Blue Metallic, & Teal Metallic.

Main Competitors
Ford Edge Mazda CX-7 and Nissan Rogue

Unique Attributes
The Torrent GXP is faster than the base model Porsche Cayenne.

Current Generation/Origins (2005–2008)
Pontiac needed a replacement for the AZTEK Crossover. So, a badge engineering project was put together by GM and was made on the existing platform that holds the Saturn Vue and Chevrolet Equinox. However, the 2008/2009 model year will be the last year of production of the Torrent. The Buick-Pontiac-GMC division is expected to start production in badge engineering off of the same platform and possibly might be built it the same place called the GMC Terrain. The Terrain MIGHT have a 3'rd row of seating.