A while back, I pondered the differences between the HHR SS, and the Equinox Sport / Pontiac Torrent GXP. Later today, my wife and I will be officially ending our wait for the HHR SS and will be ordering a Pontiac Torrent GXP. Here are the reasons why:

1. The Torrent GXP will have all wheel drive; something that will come in VERY handy in the Wisconsin winters.

2. The Torrent GXP comes with a 6 speed automatic transmission with the tap up tap down electronic manual shifting (a fun feature I had on my PT Cruiser GT).

3. The Torrent GXP offers more space. The Torrent GXP is bigger, but not too much bigger. It offers more interior space and cargo room, while being only about a foot longer in total length. Even with the added space / length, it still drives like a car (it's built on a car frame). The rear seat slides forward to increase the 35 cubic feet of cargo room with the rear seat up, or can slide back to increase the already immense rear legroom.

4. Increased visibility on the Torrent GXP. It's not bad on the HHR, but it's better on the Torrent GXP.

5. I like the interior on the Torrent GXP better. Red glow gauges, heated cloth seats (I HATE leather), ample storage, etc. I also appreciate the fact that the Torrent GXP has a "sporty" interior as opposed to the "racing" interior on the HHR SS.

6. The Torrent GXP offers 3500 lbs. of towing capacity, the HHR SS offers none.

7. Even though the fuel economy will (probably) be slightly worse on the Torrent GXP, the fuel costs should not be very different. The Torrent GXP has a simple 3.6L (264 HP) V6 that runs on regular gas; the HHR SS 2.0L turbo will require premium gas.

8. I have nothing to base this on, but I truly question the long term reliability of the 2.0L turbo. I really wonder how such a powerful small engine is going to do going through at least 6 Wisconsin winters while being a year round daily driver...

9. Both cars have similar performance. Even with size and drive differences, the Torrent GXP (with automatic) will still scoot to 60 MPH in under 7 seconds.

10. I know this is at least a little lame, but I didn't like the HHR SS color choices. I LOVE the "Sonoma Red Metallic" offered on the Torrent GXP (shown below).

11. Most importantly, the Mrs. likes the Torrent GXP better.

Some pictures of the 2008 Torrent GXP:

 

Good luck with it.

 

It looks like you made a fine choce, especially with AWD. I wish the HHR offered that like some platforms do.
The body styling looks fine enough and a bit more visability will be a good thing.
I too wish the HHR SS did not have so many interior compromises and the HUGE compromise of 25 HP LESS in the automatic version. .
Have fun with the Pontiac. I wonder if there will be a decent Pontiac Torrent forum for you out there?

 

It's the same as the Chevy Equinox and the Saturn Vue. I bought my wife a "Nox this year for the space, comfort, and the all wheel drive that will be needed during our wonderful snowy winters here in New England.

 

does it get 28 mpg or 31 on the highway?

 

REASON NO. 11 > REASONS 1 THRU 10...
Sounds like it will be a great ride. You sure came up with some good rationalizations for going with the Pontiac. The gas costs will prolly be even, I didn't realize that the V6 runs on regular. All those reasons will surely be more justfiable than the SS's coolness factor, which in the long run is about the only reason to pick the Chevy.

Will you still be lurking on the board? I think we've all enjoyed reading your comments. Good luck with the Torrent.

 

Nope; but neither does the HHR SS. According to the Chevrolet website, the HHR SS (supposedly) gets 27 MPG (on PREMIUM gas) on the highway. The Torrent GXP will do 24 MPG on the highway with only REGULAR gas. As I said above, the cost difference in fuel shouldn't be significant because of the whole regular vs. premium gas situation. In my eyes, the fuel economy comparison should be between the HHR SS and the Torrent GXP, not the standard HHR. You can't really compare those to the standard HHR 2.2L and 2.4L engines - they're on different (performance) levels. If you were to compare cars based solely on fuel economy, you might as well compare these cars to the available hybrids out there. We all know that's not a fair comparison, because the performance / usability / safety of the cars are vastly different.

 

Thanks! I plan on it :) There are a lot of good people here (with cool rides)...

 

HAH! You're gonna love this... I'm about 10 minutes from leaving to order the Torrent GXP. I just got a phone call message from a local Chevrolet dealership that I asked some questions concerning the HHR SS a couple months ago. They were just notified that they are expecting some manual HHR SS's in soon...

UPDATE: I called them back (for you guys); they said late December / early January (which pretty much goes along with what we already know). "Soon"???

 

That is interesting, considering it's a VVT V6.