Pontiac Torrent vs. Dodge Nitro Review

Handling
With its tighter turning radius, the Dodge is definitely sprier than the Pontiac Torrent, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the flip side, keep in mind that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Torrent's engine is a bit smaller than the Dodge Nitro's, but not terribly so.

Utility
There's no clear winner between the Nitro and the Torrent when it comes to transporting cargo. The Pontiac Torrent and the Dodge Nitro can accommodate the same number of passengers. There's no clear winner between the Pontiac Torrent and the Dodge Nitro regarding hauling capacity. Towing is quite a bit more the Nitro's forte than it is the Pontiac's.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Pontiac Torrent offers a bit more head room than the Dodge Nitro, there frankly isn't much of a difference. The Pontiac Torrent is not particularly roomier for your passengers than the Dodge Nitro.

Dimensions
The Dodge Nitro is a bit more ponderous than the Pontiac. Your wallet will hurt more every time you fill up the Nitro than the Pontiac Torrent because of its more capacious tank. The Nitro and the Pontiac compete for the same parking spaces.

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. It costs about the same to get the Pontiac to the dealership as the Dodge Nitro. Regarding MSRP, the Dodge Nitro doesn't cost much less than the Pontiac Torrent.

Overview
The Nitro and the Pontiac Torrent have the same basic warranty. As far as after-sale protection against rust, the Pontiac Torrent has considerably better coverage than the Dodge Nitro.