The crossover utility vehicle (CUV) market is undeniably booming. Just look around – roads are packed with them. This surge in popularity has unfortunately coincided with the decline of once-favored family vehicles like minivans. Frankly, I struggle to fully grasp this phenomenon. Crossovers, in my view, seem to be a peculiar compromise, lacking the true off-road capabilities of a dedicated four-wheel-drive SUV, the spaciousness of a van, and the fuel efficiency and nimble handling of a compact car. So, why did I, myself, end up buying one?
My personal CUV is a 2008 Pontiac Torrent. With the Pontiac brand defunct since 2010, my “trucklet” is officially an orphan. However, thanks to being built on General Motors’ Theta platform, it’s surrounded by a large family of siblings and half-siblings. The Theta platform, introduced in 2002, underpins not only the Torrent but also models like the Chevrolet Equinox, Saturn Vue, the current Chevrolet Captiva (a Vue variant still produced for rental fleets), and the GMC Terrain, among others. My Torrent is equipped with a 3400 V6 engine paired with an automatic transmission, though GM also offered an Ecotech 4-cylinder and, research suggests, a choice of two different 5-speed manual transmissions.
While recent years have seen GM put more effort into visually distinguishing the Theta-based models – giving the GMC a more truck-like, blocky aesthetic, the Chevrolet a sleeker, modern “Malibu-esque” appearance, and the Captiva retaining the Saturn Vue’s rounded style – this wasn’t the case back when my Torrent was new in 2008. Back then, only the Saturn Vue had a truly unique look. The Equinox and Torrent were primarily differentiated by their front fascias and, internally, perhaps by Pontiac’s signature red-lit dashboard gauges. Personally, I find the Torrent more visually appealing. Chevrolet opted for their corporate bar grille and an oversized bowtie emblem on the Equinox, while Pontiac drew inspiration from their heritage, incorporating a twin-port grille reminiscent of the GTO Judge, complete with a small, vibrant red arrowhead badge nestled between the “nostrils.”
Beyond the front styling, the Equinox and Torrent are essentially identical. They were designed to resemble traditional body-on-frame SUVs more closely than the sleeker, car-like crossovers that have become prevalent today. My Torrent possesses a solid, upright stance, with squared-off fenders and generously sized wheel wells. A sloping C-pillar adds a touch of forward motion to the design, and the rear window, angled down towards a fairly vertical tailgate, reinforces the truck-like impression. On the roof, substantial diameter tubing, mounted in robust plastic brackets, runs from above the driver’s door to the rear. Two removable crossbars, currently stored in my garage, allow for additional cargo carrying capacity if needed.
Stepping inside the Torrent reveals a cabin built to a budget. The dashboard, and indeed all plastic components, are constructed from hard, black plastic that appears rather inexpensive. While seams where panels meet are visible, I can’t say there are any actual gaps. In fact, the pieces seem to fit together quite well; it’s merely the junctions of different angles that draw attention to them. The seats in my Torrent are upholstered in a somewhat scratchy, utilitarian cloth, rather than the more luxurious leather found in higher-trim models. The carpets are simple black, standard fare in most vehicles today. Personally, I think rubber flooring would have been a more practical choice.
The instrument cluster is large and features easily legible numerals, a welcome feature for those of us who rely on bifocals these days. The controls are all user-friendly and intuitively placed. The climate controls consist of three easily identifiable knobs, and the radio above features a prominent volume knob, similar in style to the climate knobs below. While they could potentially be confused in darkness, their sufficient spacing minimizes this risk. Positioned between the speedometer and tachometer is a digital information display. This system shows standard and trip odometer readings during normal driving, and also provides alerts for vital information like low tire pressure, when an oil change is due, low oil pressure, other engine vitals, and even warnings about potentially icy road conditions when the outside temperature drops sufficiently.
The CD player accommodates six discs, and buttons flanking the volume knob handle the usual seek and scan functions. Changing between discs while driving is somewhat cumbersome, as the forward and backward disc selection controls are integrated into the row of buttons located directly below the display – the same buttons that, in older radios, would typically be used for pre-programmed radio stations. It took me a while to realize that these buttons’ functions changed depending on the active audio source, but with regular use, it’s become more natural. The radio also includes an equalizer function, accessible through a menu – a feature best adjusted when the vehicle is stationary, similar to loading or unloading CDs. Of course, there are always ways to connect your iPod, though as someone perhaps a bit behind the times, I haven’t explored those options myself.
The steering wheel is wrapped in leather and feels pleasant to the touch, but it’s connected to a steering system that I find a tad too sensitive. Perhaps it’s my advancing years, but I prefer slightly more play in the steering. This system is very direct, and even the slightest input results in an immediate change of direction. The brakes are effective. My Torrent currently has around 38,000 miles on the odometer, and I recently replaced the brake pads on all four wheels. The front pads were definitely due for replacement, but the rear pads likely had some life left in them. I replaced the tires when we first acquired the vehicle three years and approximately 16,000 miles ago, and they are wearing a bit more rapidly than I anticipated, especially on the front. However, considering that my all-wheel-drive “trucklet” is more front-wheel-drive biased than rear-wheel-drive, this wear pattern is perhaps to be expected. The key, I believe, is to maintain regular tire rotations, and everything should be fine.
Performance-wise, I’ve been somewhat underwhelmed. The Torrent feels underpowered to me. The 3400 V6 engine needs to be revved to produce meaningful power, and any attempt at brisk acceleration prompts the transmission to downshift, forcing the engine into the higher rev range. I’ve always been gentle with my vehicles and am hesitant to push an engine hard, but the Torrent, it seems, prefers to be driven with a heavy foot. In a sporty, turbocharged car, this wouldn’t bother me, but in something with the visual presence of a truck, it feels somewhat incongruous. In mixed city/highway driving, fuel economy averages around 18 miles per gallon – not as good as I’d hoped when I bought it, but not terrible either.
Paint quality is another area where I’ve experienced minor disappointment. There are two small spots, neither in locations typically prone to stone chips, where the clear coat has flaked away. This vehicle is driven year-round, so it’s exposed to road salt, but I regularly take it to a car wash several times during the winter and give it a thorough detailing myself each spring. My detailing routine includes a comprehensive undercarriage rinse with a garden hose, a wash, and a wax using Meguiars Gold Class. I wax the vehicle at least once more during the summer and again in the fall before winter arrives. I’ve since touched up the edges of the flaking clear coat, and the peeling seems to have stopped, but I’m still slightly annoyed that these two blemishes, each about the size of a fifty-cent piece, are the only imperfections on the otherwise attractive black paint.
The only mechanical issue I’ve encountered in three years of ownership was a problem with the coil packs. Last summer, it started to misfire on the highway, stuttering and lacking its usual acceleration. A quick Google search pointed me in the right direction, and a visit to the local dealer, now a Buick dealership, resolved the issue in the time it took me to walk a block to the nearest McDonald’s, eat breakfast, and get annoyed by the Fox N Friends Morning Show playing on their TV. Because GM was aware of the coil pack issue and had extended the warranty to cover parts and labor, this minor problem was handled at their expense and without much hassle. Kudos to GM and my local Buick dealer for their efficient service.
I purchased the Torrent in the fall of 2010, shortly after moving to Buffalo. It was initially intended to be my wife’s car. Although I was initially looking for a minivan, a chance stop at the dealership closest to my house led me to this Torrent. It was a recent trade-in, adult-owned, and had only 18,000 miles on the odometer. At the time, I paid around $16,000, which seemed like a fair price. I’ve since seen similar models selling for comparable prices, even some that didn’t appear to be in as good condition. Currently, Theta platform vehicles can be found across a wide range of prices and conditions, but I’d realistically estimate my Torrent’s current value to be in the $10,000 to $12,000 range.
Ultimately, our family situation has evolved since we bought the Torrent. The arrival of our third child, now 18 months old, necessitated the purchase of a minivan, and the Torrent became my daily driver. For the past year and a half, it has served me well on my modest commute, parked on a fairly busy street while I’m at work, and exposed to the elements the rest of the time. It performs adequately in this role, still looks good, and drives decently.
However, knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t choose to buy this vehicle again. While our third child forced the minivan purchase, the truth is we would have been better off buying one from the start. Getting in and out of a four-door CUV with strollers and car seats is a pain. The rear seats are close enough to the front seats that my car seat-bound little ones constantly kick the seatbacks, resulting in a bumpy ride for me and countless dirty footprints demanding cleaning. It’s not a great family vehicle for young children, and its limited space feels surprisingly similar to the VW Golf TDI I used to own. At least the Golf, when it was running reliably, rewarded me with excellent fuel economy. Here, I get econobox space without any of the fuel-sipping benefits. That bothers me.
So, should you buy one? That depends, I suppose. The Torrent, in my opinion, is a reasonably priced entry point into the midsize crossover market. If you need a crossover, are without children, and have a commute where all-wheel-drive capability is beneficial – and I must admit, the Torrent has been fantastic in Buffalo winters, navigating commutes on all-weather tires without a hint of slipping – then why not? However, if you have a growing family, prioritize fuel efficiency, or need a vehicle for comfortable long-distance commuting, I’d advise against it. That, then, is The Truth About Cars from this author’s perspective.
