Pontiac Torrent vs. Nissan Xterra Review

Cost
The destination charge is a standard charge for transporting the vehicle from its point of origin to the dealer. The Pontiac Torrent is substantially cheaper to get to the dealership than the Nissan Xterra. The Torrent won't save you much money at the pump compared to the Nissan Xterra. The Nissan Xterra will tax your gas budget considerably more than the Torrent will. In terms of MSRP, the Torrent costs about as much as the Xterra (though the Xterra is somewhat cheaper).

Utility
The Nissan Xterra and the Pontiac can accommodate the same number of passengers. Towing is considerably more the Xterra's forte than it is the Pontiac's.

Convenience
The Xterra's fuel tank will need to be replenished somewhat more often than the unit in the Pontiac Torrent.

Comfort
While the front cabin in the Pontiac Torrent offers a bit more head room than the Nissan Xterra, there honestly isn't much of a difference. The ampler interior dimensions of the Pontiac make it significantly roomier for your passengers than the Nissan Xterra.

Dimensions
The Nissan Xterra is significantly heavier than the Pontiac Torrent. The Pontiac Torrent's tank is approximately the same size as the Xterra's, though the Nissan Xterra's is a little bigger. The Xterra and the Pontiac Torrent compete for the same parking spaces.

Handling
With its tighter turning radius, the Nissan Xterra is most certainly more agile than the Torrent, something to consider if you do a lot of city driving; on the other hand, note that a vehicle with a tight turning circle may feel a bit twitchy on the highway.

Drivetrain
The Pontiac Torrent's engine is significantly smaller than the Nissan Xterra's. Keep in mind that smaller engines can be stressed more; however, smaller engines typically get better gas mileage. The Pontiac Torrent could learn a lesson or two from the Nissan Xterra as far as pickup. The Nissan packs quite a wallop compared to the Pontiac Torrent with respect to torque, which is the force that lets you accelerate quickly.

Warranty
The Pontiac Torrent and the Nissan Xterra have the same basic after-sale protection.