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Acceleration
"No opportunity to test with automatic transmission. Slow-to-rev, somewhat coarse
4-cyl is no high-performance engine, but Solstice quick enough off the line to
lend credence to Pontiac's 7.0 sec 0-60-mph claim for manual-transmission models.
Plenty of pep for most needs, though highway passing power is modest. Gearshift
has positive throws, but less-than-fluid engagement."
Value
"Dynamically capable and emotionally evocative, Solstice enters the market as
a worthy competitor for the Mazda MX-5. Its uninspired engine performance, budget-grade
interior materials, and compromised ergonomics won't matter much to buyers pleased
with the idea of an affordable American sports car."
Ride
"For a sports car with 18-inch tires, impressively compliant and composed over
most bumps. No float or wallow on high-speed dips and swells, though ride gets
busy on rippled freeways."
Economy
"Test manual-transmission Solstices averaged 20.8 mpg mixed city/highway driving,
23.0-25.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel."
Noise
"No hi-tech engine sounds here, and buzzy exhaust note a constant companion,
prominent enough to drown most tire noise. Top-down wind rush challenges conversation.
Test cars had some panel squeaks, annoying top-up wind whistle from side windows
due to poor sealing."
Comfort - Front
"Adequate leg room, but larger occupants may want more shoulder room. Shorter
drivers will find seating position quite low, but there's good lateral and lower-back
support, despite absence of lumbar adjustment. Double-hump rear bulkhead obstructs
vision over the shoulders, and top-up view to sides isn't great. Top cannot be
lowered or raised without getting in and out of car to manipulate folding mechanism,
rear roof pegs, trunklid."
Comfort - Rear
(No rear seating.)
Controls
"Spartan layout, easily accessed controls. Speedometer, tachometer, fuel gauge
have indistinct markings, are obscured for some test drivers by steering-wheel
rim. Frequently touched cabin surfaces are padded, but decor otherwise dominated
by hard plastic, thin-feeling panels. Impractical cupholder placement requires
awkward reach behind driver"
Cargo Room
"Top lowers into trunk, which has a lid hinged at the rear. Top-up, enough space
for one large golf bag or two small ones. Top-down, most usable volume sacrificed.
Precious little interior small-item storage, even by sports car standards. "
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