Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac Grand Prix started out as a personal luxury car in the early 1960s. Back then, personal luxury meant a big coupe with a big V8 and a stylish interior, usually featuring plush bucket seats and a floor shifter. Exterior design bordered on flamboyant at times, but the Grand Prix made no apologies for its unabashed sense of American style and performance.

In more recent times, the Pontiac Grand Prix offered consumers a sensibly sized family coupe or sedan, with plenty of performance on tap thanks to the availability of peppy V6 engines or even a powerful V8. Styling continued to be a draw, with a sweeping roof line and the signature twin-grille nose. Unfortunately, another hallmark of the Grand Prix was an overly plasticky interior, with various switches and knobs typically rendered in gray plastic that looked more Fisher-Price than General Motors. Pontiac improved the interior toward the end of the Grand Prix's run, but it still couldn't hold a candle to the high-quality interiors of its import-brand rivals.

Would the Grand Prix be a good choice for a family vehicle? That depends on what dad (or mom) wants. If performance is paramount and a smallish backseat is not a problem, then a used GP deserves a look. On the other hand, if high-quality fit and finish and roomy rear quarters are more important, then the import competition will be a better match.

Most Recent Pontiac Grand Prix

The last-generation Pontiac Grand Prix debuted in 2004 and was terminated after 2008. It benefited from a refined engine lineup, fine-tuned ride and handling characteristics and a more driver-friendly cockpit with large gauges and, for the most part, simple controls. The coupe was dropped, leaving the sedan as the lone body style.

There were two trim levels for the Grand Prix's last year of production in 2008 -- base and GXP. The base model came with a 200-horsepower V6 as well as 16-inch wheels, OnStar, a CD player, cruise control, air-conditioning, keyless entry, and power windows and mirrors. The GXP included a 303-hp V8, firmer suspension tuning, performance tires, a head-up display, unique trim and 18-inch alloys. Leather seating and automatic dual-zone climate control were optional.

Performance, even in the base model, was satisfying, and got quite a bit stronger from there. Although the V8-powered GXP provided a thrilling rush of power, torque steer was a problem with this front-drive chassis. Sadly, the abundant power infusion wasn't enough to keep the Grand Prix wholly competitive. Compared to the top sport-oriented sedans, the Pontiac felt unrefined in terms of handling dynamics and cabin fitments.

Prior to the 2008 model year, the last-generation Grand Prix was available in a GT trim level that featured a supercharged 260-hp V6, 17-inch wheels and some features that were options on the base model. For buyers interested in a used Grand Prix, we would recommend the GT over the other trims because of its balance of power, fuel economy and handling.

Past Pontiac Grand Prix Models

The previous-generation Pontiac Grand Prix was built from 1997-2003. Available as either a sleek coupe or a handsome four-door sedan, this Grand Prix offered brisk acceleration and a tight suspension for a relatively affordable price. The supercharged 3800 V6 debuted with this generation (in the GTP trim) and offers a great combination of power and fuel efficiency. Downsides include a somewhat raucous power delivery, a harsh ride over rough surfaces (in GT and GTP models), cheap interior materials and needlessly complex controls. Still, consumers have given this generation high marks in terms of performance, handling, fuel economy and style. It should be noted that this generation's base model had slightly different (and less sporty) front and rear styling from the GT and GTP models.

Prior to that, there was the 1988-'96 generation, available in both coupe and sedan body styles. This car was a bit smaller and its styling went overboard in the body-cladding area. Typical of many GM products, this Grand Prix's strengths lay in its powertrains and performance, while weak points included cheap interior materials, overly busy controls and mediocre rear seat comfort.

From 1978-'87, the Pontiac Grand Prix was offered solely as a personal luxury coupe, which had been downsized from the excessively large cruisers of the '60s and '70s. But like those earlier GPs, this era's priorities were flashy styling and plush interiors. From a collector's standpoint, the 1962-'72 Grand Prix are most worthy of consideration, as powerful engines (such as the 421 V8 with tri-power carburetion) and eye-catching styling make them cruise-night favorites.

User Reviews:

• 

  Good car - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By sh - July 18 - 7:10 am

  Just bought a 2006 Grand Prix Program car. It is solid, comfortable with plenty of power. and gets great highway mileage.

• 

  Love It - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Siochain - July 15 - 10:00 am

  Little hard for short people to get out of the car but easy for kids to get in on their own. Lots of room for a car. Sound system is nice too. Love the 90- degree opening rear doors.

• 

  2003 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By James Mouton - July 15 - 10:00 am

  The 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix is a fun car to drive. It has great accelation for a automatic transmission sports sedan. The steering preformance is also very good.

• 

  Great Value - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jamesandrewcollins - July 15 - 10:00 am

  I currently lease a Grand Prix GT for $217 a month with $0 (1,000 miles per month) and I love it. It has a great sporty feel with an excelleration that makes it fun to drive. The car is wider than anything that I have owned which gives a great deal of stability when driving but makes it harder to get into tight parking spaces.

• 

  Solid - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By farside - July 15 - 10:00 am

  great performance, styling and mileage. we have always bought foreign and shopped nissan, honda and toyota- but i bought the GP the day I test drove it with some advice from edmunds of course...

• 

  25 MPG - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By greid - July 12 - 7:00 pm

  rides great; good road car; low noise; great gas mileage; over all average of 24.9 for 53,000 miles. brakes still going.

• 

  new GP is fantastic - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By phill - July 6 - 2:00 am

  What a wonderful experience to be the first to have this marvelous vehicle. Great power, outstanding design both inside and out, and an amazing pricing point makes this car heads above all the others we test drove including the Acura TL, Toyota Camry XLE w/ the new V6 210hp engine, Volvo S60, and the VW Passat V6 GLX. Handling in the GP is smooth, acceleration is extremely quick, and the seats envelop and hold you in any type of maneuver. Coming out of an Acura TL, we were concerned about quietness and fit and trim but Pontiac made this a no brainer.

• 

  Good car, but little things go bad - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By tpasa - July 6 - 12:13 am

  This is a stylish car with good pick up and decent room inside and in the trunk. My only gripe with the car is the power window motors have gone bad on two different windows four times total, the time display in the radio went bad, and the sunroof cover broke. If not for little things like this going bad, the car has been great. Good pickup and about 18-20 MPG for the most part. No problems with the engine or transmission after 74K miles...

• 

  97 Grand prix coupe - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pontiacdude97 - July 5 - 12:55 am

  Needless to say, I absolutely Love this car! I enjoy destroying others on the street and absolutely confident on back country roads, does not shy from bends, twists or any kind of roads, even goes nicely down dirt or gravel roads.

• 

  Comp G - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Comp G - July 1 - 5:20 pm

  Excellent choice. Only problem I had was with shaky headlights. Problem fixed with TSB. Very well powered for an average 24.5 MPG. Head room space is tight as well.