2006 Pontiac Torrent Quick Spin

It’s called incredulous. You know – the look on your face when sitting in a 2006 Pontiac Torrent, thinking it’s nice enough, and then learning that it comes with a sticker price north of thirty grand.

That’s the asking price for a fully-loaded, all-wheel-drive model with leather upholstery that feels substandard, an overabundance of hard plastic, a flimsy dash cap, and evident seams and rough edges at nearly every turn. However, it’s not all so bleak, for there’s a slightly rubberized panel that covers the center instruments and passenger-side airbag, and a nice mesh material is used on the visors and headliner. Make sure to focus on those things and tune out the creaking seats and interior panels, and keep your eyes on the road instead of nitpicking about large gaps around the dash and those oversized carpet cutouts around the seat frames showing the brightly painted body underneath. If you start to question your new ride’s build quality, just remember the big rebate that was part of the deal.

Dripping sarcasm aside, the 2006 Pontiac Torrent does offer a few pluses on the inside. Radio and climate control buttons are legible and easy to use; however, finding the power window switches and fog lights buttons on the center stack takes some getting used to. The front seats are comfortable, there’s a manual height adjustment for the driver, and our optional power seat included a manual lumbar feature, though that was largely ineffective. Padded armrests are on the doors and between the buckets, the latter offering a small storage space. A standard tilt steering wheel allows for easy entry and exit and the optional leather-wrapping is nice to the touch. Drivers in cooler climates will appreciate the quick action of the heated seats, and those seeking ultimate utility should enjoy the fold-flat front passenger seat. Rear passengers are subjected to a flat, stiff split bench seat that slides for maximum leg and foot room; headroom for all passengers is plentiful. Absent is a fold-down center armrests, but there’s one on each door panel.