Not too long ago, go-fast decals, big wheels and flashy trim might have been just that in a GM SUV, but fortunately for

The GXP package adds a little spice to Pontiac's crossover. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

driving enthusiasts Pontiac takes its GXP designation too seriously for mere window dressing. The Torrent, a revised Chevy Equinox designed to give Pontiac dealers something to sell in the entry-level crossover segment, is a nice CUV on its own, with plenty of get-up-and-go thanks to a standard V6 engine. But the GXP is something else altogether, with serious horsepower added, an upgraded transmission, a reworked sport suspension, unique exterior and interior trim and more, to make it one of the sportiest crossovers outside of the premium class.

It’s a good looking vehicle even in base trim, but the GXP’s monochrome paint scheme, revised front fascia with larger fog lights, aerodynamic body kit, 18-inch polished, flangeless alloy rims and lower profile 235/50R18 rubber make it look almost sinister, in a “happy to help you with those groceries ma’am before I get on my Harley” sort of way.

It’ll fit a lot of groceries too, with 997 litres (35.2 cu ft) behind the rear seats and a further 1,943 litres (68.6 cu ft) of space when those 60/40-split rear seats are

Flip that back hatch open and there's plenty of room for gear. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

laid flat. For extra long items up to 2.7 meters (9 feet), the front passenger seatback can be dropped forward too. The second row seats, which GM dubs Multi-Flex, can also be moved fore and aft up to 20 cm (8 inches) and backrests adjusted for prioritizing comfort and/or load carrying space.

Crossovers are all about space optimization, but not at the expense of style. After all, this segment only exists because all of a sudden soccer moms needed to get their collective mojo back and lose their minivans. Even they’ll be the first to tell you they’ve made compromises to feel cool (or at least cooler), like side-swinging doors that make loading up kids into child seats more of a hassle in tight parking spots than good old side-sliders. And the Torrent’s rear doors are pretty wide, making pinched parking stalls challenging yet really improving ingress and egress when parallel parked or in your driveway.

Like

The Torrent's interior is nicely laid out and high quality switchgear gives it an upscale feel. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

minivans most crossover come with a thorough list of family friendly features, and the Torrent is no exception. My GXP boasted the top-line audio system with AM/FM and XM satellite radio plus a six-disc in-dash CD changer, enhanced by auto tone control and speed-compensating volume control. It’s an option even on the GXP, as is XM and/or seven Pioneer speakers over the standard six-speaker system, all available separately, but altogether well worth the expense if you’re a music lover. And if you’re a movie lover, or at least if you want your kids to enjoy the odd Pixar flick under headphones while you listen to election coverage on adult radio up front, Pontiac makes a rear DVD entertainment system available with a seven-inch flip-down screen, remote control, two wireless headphone sets and input jacks for cameras and video game controllers.

My tester didn’t come with the DVD system or the optional navigation system, a rare commodity in the Torrent’s segment. For those who like the security of knowing where they’re going it’s a real lifesaver, and timesaver, featuring a large easily

Contrasting leather looks great and the seats are comfortable and supportive. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

legible screen (I’ve used it in other GM vehicles) and simple, straightforward usability. Alternatively you might want to consider using the Torrent’s OnStar system for turn-by-turn navigation, a feature that lets you call up a live assistant to guide you to your destination, literally turn-by-turn. It works great, and OnStar also adds other convenience and safety benefits (I’m sure you’ve heard the commercials).

Nav system or not, the Torrent benefits from the IP upgrades GM made to its entire lineup a few years ago, so expect top-quality switchgear for the audio/nav systems and heating, ventilation and air conditioning system. Not all the interior plastics are soft-touch, mind you, and the console-mounted power window switches might take some getting used to, but all in all it’s a well-built cabin that looks like it’ll take a beating and remain good looking… important in this family class.

I, for

Manual-mode shifter is nice, but the centre mounted window lifts take a bit of getting used to. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

one, like the Torrent’s interior design, especially with the tan hides and brushed silver-finish trim covering the door pulls, steering wheel spokes, centre stack surround and other points of interest. The seats are quite comfortable and the leather steering wheel ideally shaped for performance driving, while the automatic shifter even sports manual mode if you flick the lever to the left when in Drive, all pointing toward a crossover that lives up to Pontiac’s performance heritage.

Don’t worry muscle car fans, I’m not even gonna try and compare a hopped up family hauler to your ‘64 GTO or ‘69 Judge, or even The Bandit’s ‘77 Trans Am, but I have to say the GXP’s 264-horsepower 3.6-litre V6 with VVT (variable valve timing) is a real fun engine to spin past its 6.500 rpm peak horsepower window. It pulls steadily from way down low too, hitting its maximum torque of 250 lb-ft at a tractable 3,100 rpm. Optimizing performance and fuel economy is that manual-mode equipped automatic transmission I mentioned a minute ago, this one being GM’s new state-of-the-art

This is a great, modern V6 connected to a top-tier six-speed automatic. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

six-speed gearbox with the General’s exclusive TapShift steering wheel shifters. Smooth, precise and wonderfully efficient, this transmission has made a big difference in how the Torrent feels on the road, and while improving its jump off the line and passing prowess, it helps the rather substantial 1,776 kilo (3,915 lb) all-wheel drive GXP to eke out 13.0 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 on the highway and 10.9 combined. The slightly lighter front-wheel drive GXP is rated identically, oddly enough, and odder still, despite the GXP’s much greater performance and the better outfitted model weighing in at hundreds of pounds more, the fuel consumption differences between the two crossovers are nominal, with front-wheel drive 3.4-litre Torrents good for 12.2 L/100 km in the city, 8.3 on the highway and 10.4 combined, while all-wheel drive Torrents with the same entry-level engine get 12.5, 8.4 and 10.7 respectively. What a difference an extra gear, VVT and a few other upgrades can make.

And while the Torrent GXP gets away from stoplights quickly and charges past slower

Jump in, there's plenty of room for the whole family. (Photo: Justin Couture, Canadian Auto Press)

moving traffic when called upon, it’s also pretty capable in the corners. A wide track front and rear, plus a long wheelbase make for a nice solid stance, soaking up road imperfections while delivering confidence inspiring jaunts down backcountry roads.

I suppose part of the Torrent’s confidence inspiring personality comes from its full supply of safety gear, starting with four-wheel ABS-enhanced disc brakes that perform well when called upon. Traction control is standard across the Torrent lineup too, as is Stabilitrak electronic stability control, what I think is the most critically important safety technology to surface since seatbelts. All Torrents get a tire pressure monitoring system to make sure each tire’s contact patch is maximized for optimal grip, while dual-stage front airbags are standard and side-curtain airbags from front to rear are optional (these really should be standard), allowing for the highest safety rating the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives out, if purchased.

Yes, there are smaller, less expensive SUVs on the market today, many of which are cheaper to run on a day to day basis, but the Torrent provides a lot of size for the money, benefiting larger families that regularly need to haul around sports equipment, building supplies and other gear, in a well-built, reliable package that’s plenty fun to drive in top-line GXP trim and backed by one of the best warranties in the business. All that and it looks a lot cooler than a minivan.

Specifications (Torrent GXP):

• Price Range (MSRP): $33,665 – 42,765 (base Torrent sells for $27,575)
• Destination Charge: $1,150
• Body Type: 5-door midsize SUV, unitized body incorporating full-length frame rails
• Layout: front engine, FWD (opt AWD)
• Opt. Engine: 264-hp, 250 lb-ft of torque, 3.6L, 24-valve, DOHC V6
• Transmission: 6-spd auto w/ manual mode
• Brakes (front/rear): disc/disc, ABS
• Curb Weight (FWD – AWD): 1,732 – 1,776 kg (3,818 – 3,915 lbs)
• Towing Capacity: 1,588 kg (3,500 lbs)
• External Dimensions (LS and LT L/W/H/WB): 4,796 / 1,814 / 1,669 (w/o roof rails) / 2858 mm (188.8 / 71.4 / 65.7 (w/o roof rails) / 112.5 in)
• Cargo Volume (behind 2nd row / 1st row): 997 / 1,943 L (35.2 / 68.6 cu ft)
• Ground Clearance: 203 mm (8.0 in)
• Fuel Economy (est. AWD city/hwy/combined): 13.0 / 8.3 / 10.9 L/100 km
• Warranty (mo/km): 36/60,000 comprehensive – 60/160,000 powertrain
• Direct Competitors: Chevy Equinox, Dodge Caliber / Journey / Nitro, Ford Escape / Edge, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Tucson / Santa Fe, Jeep Compass / Patriot / Liberty, Kia Sportage, Mazda Tribute / CX-7, Mitsubishi Outlander, Nissan Rogue, Suzuki SX4 / Grand Vitara, Saturn Vue, Subaru Forester, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan
• Web Site: www.gm.ca

Interior

Exterior

Mechanical

Safety

Dimensions

Misc

(J004) Standard Black Paint

(J005) Standard Gloss Paint

(DT4) Smoker's Package

(V1K) Roof Rail Centre Cross Bars

(BA6) Cargo area panel system

(1SB) Preferred Equipment Group 1SB

(U2K) XM Satellite Radio

(AP3) Remote Vehicle Starter

(ASF) Side Impact Head Curtain Airbags

(US8) AM/FM Stereo w/ CD/MP3

(58U.) Carbon Black Metallic

(K05) Engine Block Heater