Overview & Reviews

Until Pontiac bit the dust in the wake of GM's 2009 bankruptcy fiasco, the Pontiac G6 was the company's go-to midsize car. In a constant battle to steal sales from the class favorites, the G6 offered unusually tactful styling by Pontiac standards, solid performance from its V6 engines and the availability of a four-seat retractable-hardtop convertible body style. Volume-selling models were the five-passenger sedan and four-passenger coupe.

Unlike the Grand Am that it replaced, the Pontiac G6 had considerably more flavor than a generic rental car. Still, the traditional class favorites topped the G6 in the areas of engine refinement, driving dynamics and cabin materials. The G6 may still hold appeal for used-car shoppers, especially given its likely cut-rate pricing. GM has pledged to continue supporting Pontiac products in its service departments, so a used G6 isn't necessarily a bad idea.

Most Recent Pontiac G6

Based on General Motors' lengthened "Epsilon" platform, the Pontiac G6 was produced from 2005-'09 as a sedan, coupe and retractable-hardtop convertible. For '05, only the sedan was offered; the coupe and convertible debuted a year later. Three main trim levels were offered on the sedan: base, GT and GTP (which became the GXP in '08). Coupes were either GTs or GTP/GXPs, convertibles GT only. Plenty of standard features, such as air-conditioning, full power accessories and CD audio, came on the base model. The GT added niceties such as an upgraded Monsoon audio system. The GXP topped the range with items like sporty exterior styling tweaks and automatic climate control.

At the time of Pontiac's demise, the G6's engine lineup included a base 2.4-liter four (164 horsepower), a 3.5-liter V6 (219 hp), a 3.9-liter V6 available on the convertible only (222 hp) and the GXP's 3.6-liter V6 (252 hp). Four-speed automatics were standard with all except the GXP's V6, which got a six-speed; however, the four-cylinder got an optional six-speed for 2009 that raised highway fuel economy to a laudable 33 mpg. Some power ratings were a bit lower in previous years, notably the 3.5-liter V6, and a manual transmission was available on a limited basis until '08.

In reviews we found that the Pontiac G6 offered generous room for those riding in back, no matter the body style. And we noted that after years of enduring criticism about its overstyled exteriors and gimmicky interior designs, Pontiac stepped up its efforts with the G6. Outside, the G6 had a crisp and sleek look; inside, there was a restrained and attractive layout with none of the traditional dull gray plastic switches. Even so, the G6 still had a few too many cheap plastic surfaces for our tastes.

On the road, we appreciated the low and midrange torque of the 3.5-liter V6, and the ride was smooth. The convertible's optional 3.9-liter V6 should be avoided if possible, though -- it was barely more powerful than the 3.5-liter V6 and got worse fuel economy. Handling was respectable, but we disliked the electric power steering, which was too light and offered virtually no feedback. GT models from 2007 and up had an improved hydraulic steering setup, which we preferred. Along with the enhanced feature content of the later models, we'd recommend focusing your used Pontiac G6 search on the '07 or newer models.

User Reviews:

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  Cmon Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Blair - February 28 - 2:36 pm

  Ive my car for about 10 months and have had many problems with it. A month after having it my car started dying even thought a month earlier a new battery was put in. I ended having to buy a new battery for it. Then in 11/08 the car started making noises. Every time I would accelerate or turn my car to the left. It sounded as if the suspension was about to come apart as still does it today. 5 days ago when I was driving the engine light was lit up and the engine pow reduced light also came up. My MPG reduced from 40 to 15 and my car eventually stalled. I took it into the shop and had it fixed. I drove it home and did it again and is now sitting in my drive way while I figure out what to do

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  Take you $26K and buy something else! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By jen16 - January 4 - 12:43 am

  Very disappointed in this car. I had high hopes but theyve been dashed. Car is plagued with leaks, poor fit and finish, and inferior materials. Auto transmission leaves much to be desired; has trouble finding gears and when it does it is anything but smooth. The only thing GM got right is the exterior styling.

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  Must be just me...problems..problems - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By rob - December 27 - 1:30 am

  Ok we will start with the 6,000 mile warped rotors that they dealership told me was typical after they tried to accuse me of being to hard on the brakes??? at 9,500 miles the rack and pinion went bad..gm knows there is a problem so they put a bulliten out to grease them.well after 500 miles the grease worked its way out and then they had to replace the whole rack.squeks I can not figure out where they are coming from and neither can the dealer.just two days ago my wife handed me her key fob and told me the battery needed to be replaced..so i opened it up and surprise,surprise the soldier joints have broke??who has actually broke a key fob,Now I guess I will just have to see what breaks next

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  Dont Buy This Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Azby - November 16 - 9:46 am

  Bought this car brand new. Smelled gasoline first day - cracked fuel injector. Visor mirrors have broken repeatedly. Fixed 3 times under warranty - now just broke. At 13,000 miles, groaning in the steering column. Left outer tie rod & steering gear replaced. Now, at 20,000 miles, knocking in the steering column. Dealer response: Sorry, warranty ran out at 3 years (even though there is a Technical Service Bulletin about this problem). The starter also hesitates frequently. I dont trust the car anymore and feel unsafe driving it. A recall should have been issued when the NHTSA investigated steering issues in the G6, instead of sticking owners with the cost. I wont buy another Pontiac.

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  06 GTP is piece of crap!!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By chuck203 - November 9 - 4:17 am

  the 1st yrs i had this car is what great, but then the flood waters opened, at 49.000miles major oil leak, had that repaired, i have replaced brakes and rotors 3 times in 2 yrs, had 2 replace tire rods and ball joints, car still shakes when u brake, passenger side headlight keeps blowing out, c d player, quit working, Gm wants 600.00 4 a new 1 & 2 top it all off transmission has went out all with less than 100.000 miles on it...I c why pontiac went Under!!!

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  REGRETS AND DISAPPOINTMENT! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Scarletbkt - September 22 - 7:06 pm

  I just unloaded this car ... its been in the shop MULTIPLE times, 5 times for the same thing!!! Steering column. Also problems with leaky sunroof and vanity mirrors replaced 3 times! LOVE the way the car looks and always got compliments on it but reliability was just awful! Also lots of problems with brakes and rotars too. Car has new front and rear brakes and still shakes when braking. Very disappointed in this car and after reading these reviews its seems like all are common problems. Too bad cuz the great looks great. Got a 2007 Nissan Maxima and have my fingers crossed this one is better quality!

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  Same problems - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Jae - July 25 - 5:16 am

  I have had my car going on 2 years, and the major thing I have replaced are thee rotors. However, I do hear an popping noise whenever I am turning the steering wheel, and this happened just a couple of months after purchasing it. My car does tend to shake when stopping, I hope its not the tire rod end. The interior paint is already fading. I do like the acceleration of the vehicle, the style, and the appearance. I just wish GM had put more thought into the other qualities of the vehicle.

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  Never Again! - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Never Again! - July 22 - 7:20 pm

  Have had nothing but issues. I take it in at least once a month to be fixed, mainly with Brakes and Power steering. Brakes replaced twice fixed four times. First set of brakes were replaced at 9,000 miles. Power steering sensor fixed once then replaced once because it would lock on me while Id drive. Feel very unsafe in this car. Dealership wont do anything for me. Trying to argue the MI Lemon Law with Pontiac Corp. Have also had issues with tire pressure. Lets just say, I will never get a GM again... doing everything I can to get out of this lease!!

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  A real lemon! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By brandi0521 - May 17 - 4:00 am

  I just had to have this car when it came out. Ive had it now for just over 2 yrs. This car is a piece of crap. I bought a lemon. It has been in the shop 8 times for stabilitrak. The pontiac dealership never made claims against my warranty, so never fixed it. Ive since gotten it fixed. But they were scared it was going to cause my brakes to go out. So now Ive had to pay out of pocket for front and back brakes. Ive purchased Extended Warranty. I now have a hole in my muffler that isnt covered on that. Yesterday I went to open my top and the back part opened and the top went up and fell back down. Lots of squeaks and rattles that the dealer cant fix. Truly a LEMON!

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  Such a Shame - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Forever Young - May 7 - 9:00 am

  It is such a shame that this car is so awful, I love this car, but it is a rolling junk heap. It looks great, and it is a good thing that the monsoon stereo is awesome, b/c it drowns out alot of the popping and cracking the car makes, from the dash to the, rear end to the steering column, to the sunroof, oh my at the noises!!! I am so disappointed, I need to trade it in, but I cant b/c I am so upside down in the payment. Dealerships and GM do nothing to resolve issues. I really love the car but it has so many problems, gas smell inside, stalling out, back firing, everything rattles, brakes, rotors, you name it. I have always driven Chevys and love them, I will never own another Pontiac!!