2008 Pontiac Torrent Interior Review [ 2007 ]
Based on analysis of 48 Torrent reviews and test drives.
Interior - What the Auto Press Says
Roomy for a compact SUV, the Torrent is near the top of the class in seating and cargo capacity. Several test drivers, however, found the front seats lacked comfortable back support.
The Pontiac Torrent, which seats five, is praised for its airy cabin and easy-to-use controls and gauges. The Car Connection notes that "We've been in and out of most of the compact SUV competition recently, and just in terms of interior design and cargo versatility, the Torrent ranks as one of the best in its class." Edmunds also applauds the overall look and feel of the cabin, explaining that "for the most part, the Torrent's cabin is attractive and solidly constructed."
Seating
"This is classed as a 'small SUV', but the interior space puts many imports to shame," says Kelley Blue Book of the Torrent's five-seat cabin. Most reviewers describe the front seats as roomy with more than adequate head and leg room. The front seats fold flat, and the back is equipped with a Multiflex sliding rear seat with 60/40 split seatback.
Consumer Guide explains that though there is plenty of head and leg room in the front seats, "some testers complained of lumpy lumbar bolstering." Edmunds also reports that "Firm but somewhat lacking in lateral support, the front buckets still proved comfortable on long commutes and during a few day trips."
The Sacramento Bee praises the back seat, explaining that "The rear passenger area was large enough for three adults, with only minor jarring of seat occupants when the Torrent encountered road bumps." The Miami Herald adds that "The rear seat slides eight inches up or back -- slide it back and you have about the best legroom in the entire segment."
One drawback is the lack of an optional third-row seat, a feature that is offered by some of the Torrent's competitors. Edmunds says, "the lack of a third-row seat, despite the debatable nature of that feature's usefulness, hurts the Torrent's standing among consumers seeking just-in-case utility."
Interior Features
There were only a couple of reviewers, such as USA Today, which noticed that "the front-wheel-drive test vehicle's plastic parts were yester-tech; brittle and flimsy." But overall, though, most reviewers like the Torrent's cabin and features.
An AM/FM stereo with CD player is standard on both the FWD and AWD, as are air conditioning, a tire pressure monitoring system and cloth seats, remote keyless entry and a theft-deterrent system.
Most reviewers are pleased with the interior controls, with Consumer Guide calling the gauges "large and easy to read." Though many note interior quality has improved for 2008, shortcomings remain. Consumer Guide finds "There are still more hard, shiny surfaces than those that are soft or padded," and Edmunds says, "Hard plastic abounds."
Cargo
The Pontiac Torrent has also garnered praise about its cargo space. Car and Driver refers to the cargo area as "good sized," and Autobytel refers to it as "versatile." Consumer Guide also notes that this is a "strong point" for the Pontiac Torrent, and that "the front passenger seatback [folds flat] to provide room for long objects." The Car Connection also approves of the numerous cubbies and pockets, noting that "There are plenty of storage spaces, with map pockets on either side of the center stack, plus door pockets, and several center-console cubbies." According to Pontiac, the cargo area (behind the first-row seat) is 68.6 cubic feet and behind the second row, is 35.2 cubic feet.
