Then again the Torrent is targeting "owners with active lifestyles",
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| Did I mention that it has nice wheels? (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
but just what an "active lifestyle" is I'm not entirely sure. My guess is it's something between contemplating whether or not to get up off the couch for another drink and bowl of pretzels, and hiking to the apex of Kilimanjaro before parasailing down during summer vacation. While the Torrent's optional all-wheel drive system is limited to minor excursions on gravel or snow-packed roads, it should still be ideal for most families, and like I mentioned earlier, should also allow someone like me to park in the snow without worrying about how I'm going to get back out.
Separating the Torrent driving experience from the Equinox is GM's FE2 Sport Suspension package, available across the line. Tuned for sportier dynamics than either the Equinox or base Torrent, it suits Pontiac's racy image well. The engine, however, does not.
It's more or less a compromise, and may even turn off performance-oriented buyers; yes, the same people Pontiac is trying to court, due to its rather lethargic 9.8 second run to 100 km/h, but nevertheless should be welcomed by fuel economy-minded consumers. It features
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| Console-mounted shifter is sportier than a column-mounted shifter, and the Torrent's switchgear is well-made. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
the same Chinese-made 185-horsepower 3.4-litre V6 with 210 lb-ft of torque that comes standard in the Equinox, and once again can be had in both front- and all-wheel drive configurations. The engine output is hardly top-of-class, being a rather noisy overhead-valve lump, unless comparing it to other entry-level SUVs which get four-cylinder power, but it's mated to a five-speed automatic transmission which results in impressive 12.7 L/100 km city and 8.6 L/100 km highway gasoline consumption. Not bad for such a large 'ute.
That transmission is fairly smooth overall, but I noticed it didn't want to let go of third while climbing uphill, even when revving too high for optimal power, forcing me to lift way off the throttle in order to coax it into fourth gear. And what's more, I had to lift off for much longer than is usual when this problem occurs in other cars, slowing progress. It's a minor point, but an irritating one just the same. On the flat it didn't show this tendency, so most owners probably won't need to concern themselves if they're considering a Torrent for everyday city driving.
A couple of paragraphs ago I made mention to the Torrent's overall size as being large, but isn't it fighting it out with compact SUVs? Well, yes and no. With
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| Believe it or not, the Torrent is longer than Honda's Pilot! (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
regards to price it stacks up well against most compact sport utility models, from Ford's popular Escape to Honda's CR-V, but it can't be considered compact by any stretch of the imagination. Actually, the Torrent measures a substantial 4,795 mm (188.8 inches) in length with a healthy 2,857 mm (112.5 inch) long wheelbase, while its width spans 1,814 mm (71.4 inches). Believe it or not, this makes it slightly longer than the rather large Honda Pilot, by 21 mm (0.8 inches), while its wheelbase is some 157 mm (6.2 inches) longer. Just how Honda manages to squeeze in an additional 614 litres (21.7 cu-ft) of maximum cargo area I can't
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| These stylish fog lamps are standard. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press) |
imagine, but it must be due to the Pilot's greater width, height and boxier shape. To the Torrent's credit, it looks a heck of a lot better than the Pilot, at least in my opinion, offers more space behind the rear seats when all are upright (although there are only five to the Pilot's seven), and delivers limo-like rear seat legroom. The Pilot is also a great deal more expensive than the Torrent, starting at nearly $40K, so it's an apples and oranges comparison, but one that serves as a reality check with regards to the Torrent's overall exterior dimensions.
On the subject of more expensive SUVs, the Torrent features a number of standard features that help give it a near-premium feel. These include air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless access, a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system, fog lamps, electric power steering, dual-stage frontal airbags, and a flat-folding front passenger seatback ideal for transporting longer items that would otherwise be impossible to fit inside.
