Clearly the Torrent is more wagon than sport, yet acquits itself well on normal roads. Its 3.4 liter 185 hp pushrod V-6 may be old-fashioned but it accelerates eagerly, thanks to a standard 5-speed automatic; on a lengthy uphill climb, however, a fully-loaded Torrent will begin to feel the strain.
Don't expect to knife through the corners in a Pontiac Torrent. Though it handles as well as anything in its class, the ride/handling balance has been dialed in favor of comfort which, for a family vehicle, was undoubtedly a wise decision. Electric power steering helps reduce fuel consumption and in my view the Torrent's system has just enough road feel to keep sensitive drivers happy. Order front-wheel-drive and you'll get ABS brakes and traction control: combined with all-season tires, a pretty good rationale for buying the least-expensive of the available models.
Too bad Pontiac's marketing team settled for drum brakes in the rear, though. If I was descending a long mountain grade with a loaded Torrent I'd prefer the added safety of discs all-round.
