Pontiac Montana SV6 review by cemaxc

[cemaxc]

My family and I had the pleasure and time to take a ski trip to Sipapu, a ski area in central New Mexico. Fortunately I convinced my dad to rent a minivan and we were blessed, sort of, by getting a Pontiac Montana SV6. Our example provided many unexpected surprises as well as many disappointments. Fortunately the owners manual and sticker were hidden in the back so I could explore the many features of our rental minivan. Ours came with the Convenience and Preferred Package as well as the sport suspension and StabiliTrak.

First the interior, I found unexpectedly sporty for a minivan. There were aluminum accents tastefully placed over the dash and the textures were upscale although the material was hard it felt substantial. All the controls felt upscale as well with well defined notches for the vent and radio controls. The armrest on the door was covered in a soft material that added to the upscale feel of the interior. The seats I found to be supportive and comfortable but lacking severely in lateral support. Especially in the middle seats where in the mountains it felt like my sister and I were playing a game of pancake while trying to watch a movie on the standard rear seat entertainment center. Speaking of the entertainment center both my sister and I found it very intuitive and within minutes of leaving the rental lot we had figured out how to operate everything associated with it. The rear cargo area, although gimmicky I found useful and excellent at giving the appearance that the rear seats fold flat, although they don’t, and we all know it GM. Most of the gauges and displays, even the DVD controls lit up red to continue the Pontiac’s sporty image. All the controls were clearly labeled and intuitive to use which I found helpful with a techno-phobic mother riding shotgun, keeping me from having to explain how everything works.



















I find the exterior of the Pontiac to be my favorite of the 4 GM minivans. Everything comes together well to give it a sporty look, even for a minivan. The 17 inch aluminum wheels prominently display the four wheel discs. Panel gaps were tight which I found impressive. There are some people that will fall for the SUV look of this van like my sister did. The aluminum looking rails on the roof rack and the plastic clad ground effects also help to ensure that it looks more SUV (excuse me CSV) than minivan. Pictures do not do the Montana justice, in person it is clear that GM tried hard to make it more SUV like and in most ways it succeeds.













Onto the drive. The ride was pleasantly smooth and any bumps that were encountered were absorbed quickly and effortlessly not disrupting the movie my sister and I were currently watching. Even in the mountains I noticed relatively little body roll for a minivan, mind you it had the sport suspension. I wish I could say such positive things about the engine and transmission. Maybe the 3.9 and/or the 6 speed automatic would have helped, never the less the 3.5 and 4 speed left much to be desired, much, much to be desired. On the highway at 80 mph it was sluggish at worst, but in the mountains it was anemic at best. The engine seemed to groan at every hill we encountered and the 4 speed could not keep it in its optimal power band leaving it to shift repeatedly. At one point the engine and transmission noise was so intrusive into the passenger compartment that I could clearly hear them through my in-ear headphones.







On a final note my whole family agreed that it was clearly missing some key features to even make it remotely competitive in the market. Although it contained a standard DVD player at a sticker price of almost $30,000 I expected auto climate control, CD changer and dual power doors and power lift gate. Also, the engine and transmission as well as the lack of decent seats keep it from becoming the minivan I know GM is capable of building.











Thank you NASP for helping me host these images and...
I hope all of you have a Happy New Year.

[Butz]

I wish I could say such positive things about the engine and transmission. Maybe the 3.9 and/or the 6 speed automatic would have helped, never the less the 3.5 and 4 speed left much to be desired, much, much to be desired. On the highway at 80 mph it was sluggish at worst, but in the mountains it was anemic at best. The engine seemed to groan at every hill we encountered and the 4 speed could not keep it in its optimal power band leaving it to shift repeatedly. At one point the engine and transmission noise was so intrusive into the passenger compartment that I could clearly hear them through my in-ear headphones.

That's about sums it up.. GM can't make a proper motor for a minivan!! What a dissapointment!! 6-Speed Automatic and the 3.9 should be avalible on all CSV's..

[CRBoyd91]

At least you weren't stranded on the highway...

[IAMCANADIAN]

I like the Montana SV6 alot. I haven't really sat in one, but I sat in the Relay and quite liked it a lot. The 3.5L V6 has about the same performance (at least in 0-60 times) as our Vue and it won't be a thrill ride. If you get the RWB it's probably a lot better considering it's got less mass. I was looking at fuel mileage ratings for the 3.5L V6 and the 3.9L V6 and I think GM would be smarter to use the 3900 V6 considering it gets essentially the same gas mileage as the 3.5L and offers that extra needed power in either RWB or EWB. I think the 3500 V6 is fine in the RWB and offering the 3.9L V6 as an option wouldn't hurt. However the EWB needs the 3.9L V6 standard.

[giagastormer]

Awesome review. I think GM did an excellent job on the CSV interiors.

[TahoeMikeZ71]

I also think the CSV have good interiors.

[pkd87]

Great Review but the CSVs are defiantly not competitive with others in its class.

[cemaxc]

Originally Posted by pkd87

Great Review but the CSVs are defiantly not competitive with others in its class.

The engine was our biggest complaint. With the new optional 3.9 I fell it is more competitive. It would be interesting to hear someone's opinion of one of the CSV's with the 3.9 as opposed to my review with the 3.5. I'm positive it would make all the difference in the world.

[Perfectionist]

The only thing I think I like about the Montana and the others is that you can see the hood. I hate how you can't see the hood on minivans. While it looks like hell on the outside, I like to see my hood!
I know others like the red gauge lighting, but I've never been a fan of it. I'm more of a blue and white gauge person. I'll take that ugly green lighting scheme like in my Camry and Lincoln over the red. I suppose it's just too hard on my eyes.
This isn't nearly competitive on the market today. Back to the drawing board guys.

[Family Man]

Very nice review, as well as great pics. I'm a little puzzled at Pontiac's decision to keep the tach and speedo display with white numerals at night while the other gauges go red.

As for the engine, well, I haven't driven these new vans yet, however, my 3400 RWB Venture doesn't seem to have much trouble keeping up with traffic, so I would imagine that the newer 3500 would probably be just adequate in the new RWB vans and slightly taxed in EWB models, just like you pointed out. Trouble with the 3900 is fuel mileage...

The interior is definitely an improvement over the previous vans. I've sat in them at the dealer and was quite impressed. Wayyyy better that my Venture.

[AdmiralViscen]

Better than DTS, and maybe STS (if I remember correctly).

[VivienM]

This thing has an old school GM key? Not the PK3 with the division logos? *sigh*

[2005 Equinox LS]

I am another that doesnt like red dash lighting that Pontiac uses. For that reason alone I would get the Chevrolet version.

[member12]

I think GM should drop these. I think every competitor is better.

Those who do buy them (at least the few that I know who bought Relays) will never go back to GM with all the problems they have.

These things are hurting GM much more than helping.

[Squachy]

Originally Posted by AdmiralViscen

Better than DTS, and maybe STS (if I remember correctly).

YEah its a shame GM cant/didnt put door panels like this into their more upscale models...