2006 Pontiac Solstice

First introduced as a concept car in 2002, the Solstice was immediately such a fan favorite that GM rushed the model into production in a lightning-quick 27 months. Star designer Bob Lutz had been tasked with coming up with a good-handling roadster, and he delivered in spades.

Pontiac 's first rear-wheel drive roadster, the Solstice is a true sports car: it boasts shapely contours, four-wheel independent suspension, 18-inch aluminum alloy wheels and almost perfect weight balance. The model is powered by a 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine offering 177 horsepower and 166 lb-ft of torque. A close-ratio five-speed close-ratio manual transmission is standard, while a five-speed automatic will be offered later in the year.

The Solstice offers buyers a single trim style. Standard equipment includes 18-inch wheels, a manually operated top with a glass rear window and defogger, a tilt-adjustable steering wheel and a six-speaker audio system with an in-dash CD player. Available options include air conditioning, power windows and doors, remote keyless entry, leather seats, a couple of upgraded sound systems with MP3 playback, cruise control, OnStar telematics and satellite radio.

Inside, the Solstice provides passengers with plenty of leg- and headroom; 42.7 inches and 38.5 inches respectively. The dashboard styling is cockpit-like, with wraparound dash and high doorsills – the driver fairly sinks into the seat. One drawback to the interior styling is the presence of too much plastic; and a design flaw in the back edge of the retractable top leads to unwanted road noise at higher speeds. The process of lowering and razing the top is also somewhat more difficult than in similar models, requiring several steps, including exiting the car and folding the top into the well. Compared to the simplicity of the Mazda MX-5 operation, it's downright unwieldy. And trunk space in the Solstice would accommodate, at best, a loaf of bread.

The only remarkable standard safety feature is four-wheel disc brakes. ABS is an available option, but neither side airbags nor stability control is on offer, which is surprising.

The Solstice handles cornering fairly well, but you have to ease off the throttle somewhat. The car exhibits commendable lateral grip and the steering is quick and responsive. The engine is adequate to the task, but lacks refinement and response; backing off the pedal leaves the engine still revving for a moment. A similar lack of quick response is present in the gearbox; the spacing is too roomy for this reviewer. Driving enthusiasts who want to be close to their machine might want to take a look at the MX-5.