When is a Chevy not a Chevy? When it's a Pontiac. So if you suggest there's a strong similarity between the Pontiac Torrent and the Chevrolet Equinox you'd be right. It's an old game at General Motors and considering how Ford has harmed Mercury by re-badging Fords, the strategy may be questionable. That aside, simply by adding the signature grille plus a few trim changes and a sportier suspension, Pontiac has a mid-size SUV it can call its own.

To this reviewer, however, the Torrent seems less a sport-ute than a crossover, or to put it more accurately, a tall station wagon with the option of all-wheel-drive. It's a concept that worked well for Toyota with the Highlander so perhaps it will do the same for Pontiac. Indeed, the Torrent has some distinct advantages over the competition including a long wheelbase, multi-adjustable seating, and a standard V-6 engine with 5-speed automatic. Wisely, Pontiac has limited the lineup to two models: front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive. It was the latter that I tested for About Trucks.

Torrent prices begin at $22,990 for the front-wheel-drive model, $24,890 if you choose all-wheel-drive. A range of options can, of course, push the price up. And if you drive like an EPA computer you can expect to achieve 23 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in the city with all-wheel-drive. Foregoing the latter will get you an extra mile for every precious gallon. Something to think about.