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2006 Pontiac Torrent AWD Test Drive and Review

From Philip Powell, for About.com

3 of 5

In the Torrent Driver's Seat

2006 Pontiac Torrent

(c) Philip Powell
It's on the inside that the Torrent really shines and here the word is "versatility," as the designers found more ways to trick the seats than a magician has rabbits.

Normally there are two buckets up front and a bench in back, comfortably seating three full-size adults. The rear seat can slide eight inches for even more legroom and its back is adjustable for rake.

Since the rear seat is 60/40 split-folding, one or the other seatback can lay flat, adding more cargo space while still providing room for a passenger. Which side gets folded depends, I would guess, on the size of the cargo vs. the size of the passenger. If no one sits back there the entire seat folds flat. Torrent's front passenger seatback also folds so with only the driver's seat in use the Torrent turns into a delivery van.

Incidentally, the front seatback, when folded flat, functions as a work table. As well, there's a removeable panel hidden in the cargo floor that can be used as a height adjustable shelf, a party table, or as a security cove. Storage spaces abound in the Torrent and thanks to the roof rack, bikes, skis, tents and other recreational paraphenalia can fit up top.

The rear door is extra large, step-up height is relatively low, headroom would fit the Cardiff Giant. In fact, there is so much useable space it's hard for me to conceive why anyone could possibly want anything larger unless their needs are very, very special.

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