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2009 Pontiac Torrent Review

March 15, 2009

STYLING | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

advises "the Pontiac Torrent's attractive shape barely pokes its head past the average mark
Kelley Blue Book

quiet, inviting, sporty looking interior
MSN Autos

a well-designed interior
Cars.com

TheCarConnection.com notes that although the design of the 2009 Pontiac Torrent may be a dated, it features a few improvements that help keep it young and somewhat sporty-looking.

An almost copy of the Chevrolet Equinox, the 2009 Pontiac Torrent features some distinct styling cues that help it stand out. MSN Autos says the Torrent “looks sportier than the Equinox”; in fact, it's “sporty enough for a roomy SUV, although it can't match the appearance of something like the Infiniti FX sport-utility vehicle, which emphasizes sport over utility.” Kelley Blue Book advises "if you're looking for an SUV that stands out from the pack, the Pontiac Torrent's attractive shape barely pokes its head past the average mark." Cars.com notes "the Torrent's twin-port grille is traditional Pontiac," and goes on to describe the Torrent’s classic crossover shape: “Headlights that wrap into the front fenders flank the grille, below which is a wide air intake. The front and rear overhangs are short, and the fenders are flared. Fog lamps and front and rear skid plates are standard.”

With its larger 18-inch wheels and lower stance, the GXP model has a somewhat sportier demeanor. "Some chrome from the company parts bin, including door handles and dual exhaust tips, round out the [GXP] package," reports Automobile Magazine. They also note "the absence of a roof rack gives the 2009 Pontiac Torrent GXP a smoother design flow compared to the standard model."

The Torrent’s interior gives no indication of the vehicle’s age, as most reviewers praise the Torrent’s cabin. Edmunds considers the interior “attractively styled” and remarks “the driver faces a stylish set of chrome-ringed gauges, sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a simple control layout.” MSN Autos talks about the “quiet, inviting, sporty looking interior,” and Cars.com says the Pontiac Torrent has "a well-designed interior.” Kelley Blue Book gripes that "some controls are not as logically laid-out as they might be, and the base vehicle isn't so different from its Equinox cousin." Cars.com adds that the 2009 Pontiac Torrents "have a unique gauge cluster and leather-wrapped steering wheel."

Conclusion

Visibly Pontiac, the 2009 Torrent offers unexciting exterior styling and an attractively furnished interior.

STYLING | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:advises "the Pontiac Torrent's attractive shape barely pokes its head past the average markKelley Blue Bookquiet, inviting, sporty looking interiorMSN Autosa well-designed interiorCars.com TheCarConnection.com notes that although the design of the 2009 Pontiac Torrent may be a dated, it features a few improvements that help keep it young and somewhat sporty-looking. An almost copy of the Chevrolet Equinox, the 2009 Pontiac Torrent features some distinct styling cues that help it stand out. MSN Autos says the Torrent “looks sportier than the Equinox”; in fact, it's “sporty enough for a roomy SUV, although it can't match the appearance of something like the Infiniti FX sport-utility vehicle, which emphasizes sport over utility.” Kelley Blue Book advises "if you're looking for an SUV that stands out from the pack, the Pontiac Torrent's attractive shape barely pokes its head past the average mark." Cars.com notes "the Torrent's twin-port grille is traditional Pontiac," and goes on to describe the Torrent’s classic crossover shape: “Headlights that wrap into the front fenders flank the grille, below which is a wide air intake. The front and rear overhangs are short, and the fenders are flared. Fog lamps and front and rear skid plates are standard.” With its larger 18-inch wheels and lower stance, the GXP model has a somewhat sportier demeanor. "Some chrome from the company parts bin, including door handles and dual exhaust tips, round out the [GXP] package," reports Automobile Magazine. They also note "the absence of a roof rack gives the 2009 Pontiac Torrent GXP a smoother design flow compared to the standard model." The Torrent’s interior gives no indication of the vehicle’s age, as most reviewers praise the Torrent’s cabin. Edmunds considers the interior “attractively styled” and remarks “the driver faces a stylish set of chrome-ringed gauges, sporty three-spoke steering wheel and a simple control layout.” MSN Autos talks about the “quiet, inviting, sporty looking interior,” and Cars.com says the Pontiac Torrent has "a well-designed interior.” Kelley Blue Book gripes that "some controls are not as logically laid-out as they might be, and the base vehicle isn't so different from its Equinox cousin." Cars.com adds that the 2009 Pontiac Torrents "have a unique gauge cluster and leather-wrapped steering wheel." ConclusionVisibly Pontiac, the 2009 Torrent offers unexciting exterior styling and an attractively furnished interior.  2009 PONTIAC TORRENT STYLING | [7 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: advises "the Pontiac Torrent's attractive shape barely pokes its head past the average mark" MSN Autos: “quiet, inviting, sporty looking interior” Cars.com: "a well-designed interior" TheCarConnection.com notes that ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

The 2009 Pontiac Torrent delivers better handling than large truck-based SUVs, but it’s bested by most of the vehicles in this crowded class. With the GXP, you'll pilot a vehicle that's a lot more agile than the typical lumbering SUV—it's happy to tackle corners at speeds that would make most of its more SUV-looking crossover competition seriously unhappy. However, the GXP is pricey and can easily top $35,000. The Hyundai Santa Fe is more conservative, but it has a tight, sturdy feel that TheCarConnection.com prefers to the Torrent. The Mitsubishi Outlander has a sportier feel overall, but road noise is plentiful and it’s not very refined. Both the RAV4 and Outlander offer small third-row seats. The Honda CR-V is possibly the best overall package for buyers in this class; it has top-rated safety, great assembly quality, and surprisingly good performance from its four-cylinder engine. The 2009 Dodge Journey is yet another choice, and it’s the best choice for those who want a really well-equipped vehicle. Highlights of the Journey’s options include Sirius Backseat TV and a MyGig hard-drive entertainment system.

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See the Pontiac Torrent in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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