Pontiac Montana reviews

2002 Pontiac Montana Driving Impressions

While not an all-out SUV, the Montana can be the perfect family truckster. Crosswinds won't make it wander on the way to Wally World. Veer off onto poorly maintained secondary roads and the suspension doesn't get upset. You feel confident driving on bad roads, and that's with the front-wheel-drive system.

Versatrak enhances your driving comfort and confidence in bad weather and non-paved road conditions. Versatrak is new for the Montana for 2002. While operating as a front-wheel-drive system in normal conditions, it automatically directs power between the front and rear wheels to provide grip in adverse weather conditions or whenever one of the tires begins to spin. The system is compact as well as efficient.

The Montana corners quickly for a minivan, especially versions that have the Sport Performance and Handling Package ($395) that includes alloy wheels, all-weather tires, automatic level control, sport suspension and traction control.

The front-wheel-drive Montana has a twist-beam rear axle that contributes much-needed rear roll stiffness in a front-heavy vehicle. Versatrak versions have an independent suspension at all four corners.

The Montana's tires don't complain until you push very hard, and that's unique for a minivan. Body roll is less noticeable than in many other minivans, even those from within the GM stable. Part of the Montana's handling package includes stiffer springs and larger shock absorbers in the rear.

Back on the big highways, you'll feel no pain. The noise from the powerplant is limited to an isolated and distant hissing. At 80 mph, which we found to be the average cruising speed on most Western highways marked at a 75 mph limit, the engine is revving at just 2400 rpm. The Montana doesn't sound like it's straining to keep up, and passing slower cars can be done without too much prior planning.

The V6 engine has good throttle response in traffic, and it's efficient; we managed 25 mpg on a fast trip across Michigan. The EPA estimates highway fuel economy at 26 mpg.

Traction control is optional for front-wheel-drive models. It's a good idea for easier control in winter driving. Without traction control engaged, you can easily spin one of the front wheels during a spirited take-off on dry pavement. With a torque-pumping V6 and front-wheel drive, torque steer is sometimes noticeable as a slight tug on the steering wheel under hard acceleration.

The brake pedal is typically spongy, as it is on most GM platforms that were designed in the early 1990s. Newer designs, such as the latest Bonneville and GM's newest big pickups and SUVs, lack this mushy feeling, so the Montana will likely get a better-feeling brake pedal in the future. Having said that, the antilock brake system works well, without undue clattering of the pedal.