2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD

Pros

Still looks good.

Cons

Still isn't fixed

Don't complain to Pontiac, it appears that you will be punished the next time you need service. I've bought seven Pontiacs in 12 years from the same dealer, with probably several dozen service visits. Never have I had to wait past my appointment time, until 2 days ago.
Had an appointment for 3pm (oil change, tire rotation, and fix the ignition again), at 3:35pm they managed to get the vehicle into the garage. "We're busy" was all the response i got, so why make an appointment? Kind of ironic that this happened just after complaining to Pontiac. Never happened before in twelve years, makes you think.
Incidentally, the ignition still isn't fixed. It apparently isn't identified by GM as a problem, imagine that. Meanwhile, I'm still racking up the miles on my GM SMart buy....read morehide

Pros

Extremely good looking and mostly comforrtable

Cons

Sub-standard in every category for a Pontiac. Needs fixed regularly.

This is my ninth Pontiac, and my last. I've now had my Torrent one year and 12K miles. Apprx ten trips to the dealer so far and another one coming today. The igition has been wroked on several times, and still isn't right. The sunroof has been fixed twice for leaks. Plus, I am also the proud owner of the 3rd stereo put into this vehicle. I contacted Pontiac and all I got was and "OH WELL, SORRY", they won't do anything about the continuing issues. So much for loyalty to their customers. The material used in the interior are sub-standard, the Pontiac G5 has better materials and it costs 10K less. One of the service techs joked that I was spoiled because of my five Grand Prix's. He was right, of course they all cost less than the Torrent.

Although I have always said I would never own a foreign car, Hyundai here I come....read morehide

could do much better on gas mileage, rear drum brakes felt lumpy,
side mirrors iced over easily, rendered usage difficult, new car motor didn't soud new, front grill easily iced over causing engine temperature to rise, driver side window washer spray nozzle stopped working in icy conditions, wiper blades did not clear windshield of ice after defogging was applied, no incentatives available for purchacing this produce...read morehide

Pros

Ride, Size, Power all well done

Cons

AWD could shut off (4-10 of owners manual), No iPod/Aux plug

We just bought this SUV. We have owned Subarus for years and wanted something a little bigger with similar mileage, found it! The ride is very nice. Not too harsh like the CX7. Much roomier than the Dodge Nitro. Bigger than our Subarus. Rear seating is great for all sized persons. It would be nice to have an auto-retracting antenna instead of a fixed mast.
We learned when reading the manual (section 4-10) that the AWD system could get hot and sut down during "extended" use. Farrish Pontiac (Fairfax, Va) where we bought it stated that it was a safety to prevent someone from burning up the transmission by sitting there spinning the wheels while stuck. That as long as air is flowing across the unit it would remain cooled and NOT shut off. We travel up 800ft through a pass in 1.5 miles. Then down 300ft in 1/2 mile to our house. This can cause 5+ hours of AWD constant use. We will write back during winter to update this review....read morehide

Pros

Good Fuel Economy, Roomy interior, AWD/Traction Control/Electric Steering

Cons

Cup Holder and Parking break location/Center Console. But hey those are minor.

We looked and looked for a new vehicle. Finally settled on the AWD Torrent. We love it and cant stop driving it. We have had it for about 4 months now. Have no complaints at all with the exception of the Center Console design. But that is such a small thing. I dont kive in my car I drive it. The combination of the Electric Steering / AWD Traction control WORKS and Works well. Just recently drove over DONNER Pass in the Sierras where they had chain control. Didnt need the chains. Oh Yeah. Found that the steering does not jerk like normal when you hydroplane/ catch a rut. Has already saved me once. They together allowed me to avoid a serious accident last week.
Gas Mileage is outstanding on the Highway and it has enough git up n go to pass and merge without a problem. With premium gas and cruise set @ 70mph we are getting 25-27 mpg and that is through the mountains. All of the people that arent getting good mileage should pay attention to how they Drive. This is a V-6 not a 4 banger. I will say that in the city and just hopping around town starting and stopping it acts like a V-6 getting about 18-20 mpg.
With the amount of back leg room unlike no other. It is great. My youngest have enough room they think it is a van because they can stand up and walk through it. Oh did I mention the fold flat seats are great. I put 6 4x4x9 posts in it without any problem. Just didnt tell the wife I did it.
Bottom Line is that we love it and would get another in a heart beat. It turns heads and the people that have ridden in it like it also....read morehide

Pros

Rides like a dream, great on long trips

Cons

seat adjustment and red light dashboard

I seem to have a problem with engine noise, sounds like the valves need to be adjusted. dealership said that I need to put an oil additive at next oil change. Why?. Anyway I did and tapping noise is still there. I feel that I'm getting a runaround

Cons

only getting 16.5 miles per gallon

like everything but gas mileage false advertisement from gm would not buy if had known beforehand

Pros

Looks Great, High quality fit and finish, Awesome Sound Package!

Cons

Auto Headlights

I love my Torrent! Looked at the Chevy first but fell in love with the Pontiac. Great Value for the price - AWD, Sun and Sound Package kick it up a notch. Drives great - could use some more horses but like other reviews say its not a big deal. Auto headlights can be annoying but I'll get over it. GM did a great job with this car! I look at these BMW X3's and get a great deal of satisfaction knowing my monthly payment is a lot lower then theirs - plus I've got more room in th back for my kids and their stuff. Dealer - King O'Rourke - see Al Cano - they really did a great job - even rewrote my lease after I realized I did not get enough miles! Oh - get XM - it rocks!...read morehide

Pros

decent fuel economy, kinda peppy

Cons

worst seats i've ever sat in.... should have driven it a few days before buying

as stated above... these seats along with many in GM's line up suck.... i'm going to get rid of it asap.... anyone want to buy it... oh and don't follow a truck on the highway.... you get move around quite a bit.... i'm a GM employee and will never waste my money on their junk again.... shame on them.......read morehide

Pros

Reasonable gas mileage;decent room for 4 adults front or rear;good looks

Cons

driver seat position poor; no power seat on pass side; poor quality trim; unstable on hi way

Rented the Torrent for a week on vacation this summer.I own a 2002 Aztex....thought about replacing it with a Torrent....no way.. the seats in this cars are awful...I'm 6'3" and I got out of this car with a back ache after driving 100 miles...Aztek seats are much more comfortable....the Torrent handles poorly at highway speeds...feels very unstable...trim and quality very cheap, plastic looking...this car was a big dissappointment. Come on Pontiac...you can do better than this!!!...read morehide