It's probably more semantics than revisionism that allowed Pontiac to call the new Torrent its ''first SUV'' at its debut this week at the LA auto show, since GM's performance brand tried (underline tried) to market the unfairly-maligned Aztek as an SRV, for Sport Recreation Vehicle.
In any case, the 2006 Torrent will have less trouble attracting consumers who prefer a more classic SUV shape when it arrives in the second half of 2005, since it looks a lot like its Chevrolet Equinox sibling, and somewhat like its Satellite Vue sibling.
Under any flag, this particular package from GM's Theta architecture delivers excellent ride, handling and the ability to carry people or cargo in fine style. If nothing else, having Torrent wear the Pontiac banner allows for another variation on the design theme and allows consumers to shop for a large five-seat SUV with a medium price tag at virtually every GM dealership in Canada.
Pontiac would say there's more to the Torrent than that, however, and lots of smart Canadian consumers are likely to agree with Jim Bunnell, the brand's general manager, when he says that it ''expands Pontiac's total performance boundaries by combining car-like agility with SUV capability and versatility.''
Equinox and Vue do have car-like rides and are nimble enough under stress, so we can expect Torrent to be at least their equal.
Most people won't care about Torrent's sporty nature as much as they will about its interior size and capabilities, which are first-rate for its price range. That is the strength of Equinox and it should be the strength of Torrent.
Hopson describes the Torrent's interior as ''multi-purpose and configurable to countless uses.'' The highlight of this would be a rear seat that reclines, moves fore and aft, and folds flat to increase the cargo area. Nothing like a big, empty space for creating versatility.
As well as being larger than many SUVs in its price range, the Torrent should also be very well equipped with features that Hopson says are either optional or not available at all on other vehicles. While GM of Canada may tinker a little with the standard equipment list before Torrent's on-sale day, we can assume that it will closely follow the formula as explained by Hopson.
So, Torrent's standard issue fare should include that multi-adjustable seat, power windows, locks and remote keyless entry, air conditioning with electronic controls, a tilt steering wheel, a defogger and washer/wiper in the rear liftgate, a CD stereo with six speakers, fog lamps, 16-inch aluminum wheels, three 12-volt power outlets, and four-channel ABS. Traction control is available and standard on the all-wheel-drive models only.
If you're willing to spend more money for more comfort and convenience items, Torrent can also be ordered with leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, heated driver and front passenger seats, power-adjustable driver seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels, Pioneer uplevel CD/MP3 stereo with six-disc CD changer and subwoofer, steering-wheel radio controls, power sunroof, multi-tier rear cargo system, the OnStar safety and security system, XM Satellite Radio (assuming the Canadian government approves this system later this year), and roof-rail side curtain air bags.
Thanks to that ability of the rear seat to move back and recline, passengers get more comfort than you usually see in an SUV at this price level.
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Under any flag, this particular package from GM's Theta architecture delivers excellent ride, handling and the ability to carry people or cargo in fine style. If nothing else, having Torrent wear the Pontiac banner allows for another variation on the design theme and allows consumers to shop for a large five-seat SUV with a medium price tag at virtually every GM dealership in Canada.
Pontiac would say there's more to the Torrent than that, however, and lots of smart Canadian consumers are likely to agree with Jim Bunnell, the brand's general manager, when he says that it ''expands Pontiac's total performance boundaries by combining car-like agility with SUV capability and versatility.''
Equinox and Vue do have car-like rides and are nimble enough under stress, so we can expect Torrent to be at least their equal.
Most people won't care about Torrent's sporty nature as much as they will about its interior size and capabilities, which are first-rate for its price range. That is the strength of Equinox and it should be the strength of Torrent.
Hopson describes the Torrent's interior as ''multi-purpose and configurable to countless uses.'' The highlight of this would be a rear seat that reclines, moves fore and aft, and folds flat to increase the cargo area. Nothing like a big, empty space for creating versatility.
As well as being larger than many SUVs in its price range, the Torrent should also be very well equipped with features that Hopson says are either optional or not available at all on other vehicles. While GM of Canada may tinker a little with the standard equipment list before Torrent's on-sale day, we can assume that it will closely follow the formula as explained by Hopson.
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If you're willing to spend more money for more comfort and convenience items, Torrent can also be ordered with leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel, heated driver and front passenger seats, power-adjustable driver seat, 17-inch aluminum wheels, Pioneer uplevel CD/MP3 stereo with six-disc CD changer and subwoofer, steering-wheel radio controls, power sunroof, multi-tier rear cargo system, the OnStar safety and security system, XM Satellite Radio (assuming the Canadian government approves this system later this year), and roof-rail side curtain air bags.
Thanks to that ability of the rear seat to move back and recline, passengers get more comfort than you usually see in an SUV at this price level.