We found the Torrent delivers quick acceleration and its styling is restrained, clean and pleasing. Inside, the available leather seats are nice, the premium stereo sounds good, and the low dash offers a good view of the road ahead. The back seat slides and reclines according to your needs for extended leg room or more cargo space.

Options include a clever cargo storage system with handy bins in the floor and wheel wells, plus a lightweight polycarbonate shelf that can be placed in various positions for differing needs; it has hooks for grocery bags and can be configured as a table for tailgate parties. Three 12-volt power outlets come standard.

New features for 2007 include four-wheel disc brakes and StabiliTrak electronic stability control, all of which come standard. Dual-stage front airbags for driver and passenger now include GM's Passenger Sensing System; and the optional head-curtain side-impact air bags are now wired to detect rollovers. A tire pressure monitor is now standard. Torrent has earned a five-star (best) rating in federal frontal crash tests.

Also new for 2007 is an electronic Driver Information Center, located in instrument cluster, that combines 20 personalization and vehicle information features. A remote starter is now available, as are three new audio systems, one including navigation. And not one but two different grades of chrome rims are now available for hip urban rolling.