2007 Pontiac Solstice Review

Pontiac's turbocharged sports car has plenty of looks, style and speed, but it's probably not the most practical auto you'll ever drive

The new turbocharged GXP version of Pontiac's Solstice sports car gets the punch to match its racy styling, with horsepower up to 260 from 177 in the base version, introduced as a 2006 model. The GXP even has higher fuel economy.

The regular Solstice was an instant hit with an under-$20,000 list price, Hollywood good looks and sports car handling. The person behind the car was General Motors product czar Bob Lutz, who never was able to offer a low-priced zoomy sports car at major automakers where he worked as a top executive. One reason for the first Solstice's $19,420 list price was its adroit use of parts from other GM vehicles.

The regular Solstice is nearly unchanged for 2007. It costs $21,515, but remains a bargain. Although more expensive, the $26,515 GXP is a steal, considering its superior engine and equipment that's optional, or unavailable, for the base model.

Both Solstice versions have rear-drive and look virtually the same, with Pontiac's twin-honeycomb grille, sexy curves and retro-style head fairings on the trunk that look as if from classic 1950s sports-racing cars. However, the GXP has a special black grille, small "chin" spoiler, openings below the headlights to provide air to cool the front brakes and polished dual exhaust outlets.

The GXP finally has the power the original Solstice deserved, considering the base model's excellent chassis and all-independent suspension, which help provide sharp handling. The GXP has GM's first gasoline direct-injection turbocharged engine -- an intercooled, beefed-up 2-liter four-cylinder.

The base Solstice has a rougher, noisier 2.4-liter four-cylinder that revs in a lazy manner and doesn't act as much like a sports car engine, although it provides good acceleration.

The GXP, which also has more neck-snapping torque, hits 60 mph in 5.5 seconds and 100 mph in 14.3 seconds, while reaching 98 mph in the quarter-mile run. It's a bit faster than a Porsche Boxster below 100 mph and easily outperforms the base Solstice in an effortless manner.

Steering of the GXP is quick but feels rather numb. The stiffer GXP suspension is fairly supple, but some might feel the ride is too firm. And it gets a bit jerky on wrinkled pavement at normal expressway speeds. The brake pedal feels reassuringly firm, but stopping distances are average.

Base Solstice standard items include all-disc brakes, power steering, tilt wheel, console, AM/FM/CD player, variable intermittent wipers, rear defogger and wide 45-series tires on large 18-inch alloy wheels.

Standard for the GXP but optional for the base model are anti-lock brakes, leather upholstery, cruise control, limited-slip differential and power windows, mirrors and door locks with remote keyless entry. Moreover, the GXP has an anti-skid system, unavailable on the base Solstice.

Other standard items for the GXP not on the standard Solstice include a sport suspension, leather-wrapped steering wheel with radio controls and higher-performance tires on 18-inch polished alloy wheels.

However, $960 air conditioning is optional for both versions. Other extras include upscale sound systems, XM satellite radio, rear spoiler, chrome alloy wheels and even a premium headliner for the soft top.

Those who don't want to shift the standard five-speed manual transmission can get a responsive $850 five-speed automatic. The manual gearbox in my test GXP was a high-effort unit that still shifted crisply, but worked with a fairly heavy, long-throw clutch that engaged abruptly -- making it easy to stall the car off the line. It's best to use third gear in town if you want to make quick moves, although only a downshift to fourth gear is needed for quick 65-75 mph passing times.

Estimated fuel economy is 22 mpg in the city and 31 on highways with the manual and 21 and 29 with the automatic transmission. Figures for the base engine are 20 and 28 with the manual, 22 and 26 with the automatic. Premium fuel is recommended for both engines.

The Solstice has annoying faults. For instance, you must leave the car to open or close the manual-folding top, which isn't an easy operation. It hinders rear vision when up. There's little luggage room with the top raised and almost none when it's lowered. There isn't much cockpit storage space, either.

There's no room for a spare tire, so the Solstice comes with a tire sealant and inflation kit.

Doors are light, but too long for tight parking situations. Occupants sit low, almost making it feel as if you're wearing a metal collar. Getting in and out thus calls for extra effort, although the seats provide good support for spirited driving.

It's hard to read the deeply set gauges during the day in the rather quiet, reasonably roomy cockpit. And power window controls are so inconveniently placed on the driver's door that they can be accidentally activated by the driver's left elbow. Inside door handles are tiny, and cupholders are awkward to reach.

Climate controls are large, and smaller audio system controls are fairly easy to use.

The fun-to-drive Solstice GXP isn't a very practical car, but then it's not supposed to be. Rather, it has major league sports car style and performance at a reasonable price.

PONTIAC SOLSTICE GXP

PRICE: $26,515.

LIKES: Very fast. Sharp moves. Racy styling. Reasonable list price.

DISLIKES: Abrupt clutch engagement. Scant trunk space. Stiff ride. No spare tire.