2005 Pontiac G6 Road Test
11-25-2004
by
Alex Law
, Auto123.com
|
Pontiac G6 created to suit Canadian mid-size sedan tastes
Because Americans buy more mid-sized sedans
than anything else, that country and ours are blessed with a singular abundance
of great choices in that segment.
Indeed, so broad is the current mid-size
lineup that you have to wonder how a car company planning a new model can hope
to set itself apart enough so that sensible people would chose its offering
instead of one of the worthwhile competitors.
 | | (Photo : General Motors) |
It is particularly interesting, then, to view
the Pontiac G6 with regard to its strengths, and why it might be worthy of
buyer consideration. It would be a mistake to dismiss this car because of what
some people see as an issue with its 3.5-litre V-6, but more on that in a minute.
First, the strengths that make G6
particularly worthy:
-it's easier to get in and out of and is much
roomier than all of the cars in this segment save the Chevrolet Malibu and
Malibu Maxx, with which it shares an architecture
-it can be equipped with GM's OnStar's safety
and security system that will send help to a precise spot, even if you're not
capable of calling for it yourself, and this is a major, major item if you're
serious about the safety of the people in your car
-with its seat travel, optional adjustable
pedals and standard tilt-telescoping steering wheel, more people will be able
to sit a comfortable and safe distance from the wheel, including short women,
who are most at risk
-it is much more stylish than many of the
cars in this segment
-GM's quality levels with cars of this type
equal or surpass those of all the other models in this segment
-the old bugaboo about cheesy GM interiors is
dead as far as G6 is considered, particularly with regard to fits and finishes
-sometime next year, you'll be able to
install an XM radio, which for a small fee will deliver over 100 stations of
commercial-free entertainment from coast-to-coast
-it can be equipped with GM's Panoramic roof,
which is like a mega-sunroof, and
-it has built-in remote start, which is THE
most popular aftermarket accessory in Canada by far, which can have its safety
and security hazards if it's installed incorrectly
To be sure, the G6 exterior or interior may
not appeal to everyone (style is always subjective or sometimes not important,
otherwise no one would buy a Toyota Camry), but the Pontiac sure will be hard to ignore in this
category.
 | | (Photo : General Motors) |
Having recently spent a bunch of time in
various Japanese models that compete with the G6, it's hard to over-estimate
the appeal of the Pontiac's
ergonomic features that govern occupant comfort.
Though the G6 has the same kind of general
size as Camry, Honda Accord, Mazda6, Subaru Legacy, Hyundai Sonata, Ford Taurus
and Five Hundred, and many other models, its architecture allows for a huge
cabin size and big doors.
|
|
|
Print