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:

• 

  Great Car - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By shane255 - December 21 - 10:00 am

  This car features the 3800 motor which has always been the best ever made. It should be good for a couple hundred thousand miles just like my second car I still drive.The only complaint is the front seats could be padded a little more to increase comfort,otherwise it is one fast machine..,...

• 

  GREAT CAR - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By MARPAR - December 21 - 10:00 am

  HAVE NEVER HAD BACK TO DEALER FOR ANYTHING. DO MY OWN MAINT. (OIL, TIRE ROTATION, ETC). CAR RUNS PERFECT & DRIVES LIKE NEW. RIDE IS A LITTLE STIFF AFTER YOUVE BEEN IN IT FOR AWHILE BUT ITS A SPORT SEDAN, NOT A HIGHWAY CRUISER.

• 

  98 GP GTP - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By lradue - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It has lots of power, good handling, and very reliable. The gas mileage isnt the best, but you should expect that with a supercharged 3.8L engine. I would recommend this car to anyone and I plan to get another one after this one dies on me.

• 

  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Marc Schalk - December 15 - 10:00 am

  A very nice car. Fun to drive

• 

  Pontiac has Sold Me! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Iblyth - December 10 - 11:26 am

  Test drove one on the 24-hour test drive and ended up buying a black 2004 GTP COMP-G. I have owned other Pontiacs but I always wanted a Grand Prix and this car has not disappointed. Performance was unrivaled having tested other cars of similar size and price. Exhaust note and exterior looks make this more like a sports car than a four door sedan. If you load the car up with all the bells and whistles, you will find it to be one of the best deals around. Great job GM. As far as negatives go, this car has been spotless in the mechanical reliability department but I did have pin hole leak in the trunk and one interior rattle. Both issues were fixed without question by a great service departmen

• 

  Another winner! - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mile High Guy - December 4 - 6:46 am

  My fourth Pontiac, and 3rd Grand Prix. My wife and I both love this car and are always arguing over who gets to drive it to work that day! With the cruise control, we get almost 35 MPG on the highway and have been getting around 23 in the city, but only because we are pretty light on the gas pedal in city traffic. Im 6-4 tall and comfortable in the drivers seat. Sound system was OK but we put in an after- market XM satellite receiver and in- dash CD. This car has some get-up-and- go when you need it. And its appearance is certainly a head-turner. All my friends who insisted I was making a mistake by buying yet another Pontiac are slowly eating their words after they drive it.

• 

  GTP - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By dcoates - December 1 - 10:00 am

  I have been driving my 2004 GTP for 4 weeks. It is tons of fun and very responsive. Plenty of power and excellent handling.

• 

  old reliable - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Logan G - November 26 - 8:40 pm

  this was my first new car, sorta. it was a 2 year lease with 16,000 ish on it. my car now has over 148,000 on it and I have never had to do any repairs. Just oil, brakes, a few old coolant hoses, (after 11 years the rubber starts to crack and rot) and a new set of o2 sensors at 120,000. gets good mpg concerding its 3000 pound weight and its punchy 3800 II V6. Its so fun constantly blowing the doors off of other V6 cars (ford mustang, honda accord ect...) and i get about 19-23 mpg city depenging on if im driving in stop and go or not. I get between 27-32 on the highway, it depends on how fast you go, 70mph = 31-32, 90= 26-27. stock brakes rock!

• 

  I LOVE this animal! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Sexy Tina - November 25 - 12:10 am

  Way too cool. Im single and 27 and this is my first real car. I LOVE IT!!! I can whoooooosh past anyone on the road and it drives very nicely in the snow and it has the remote start, which I LOVE on cold mornings. LOVE the onstar, love the seats, love the way I can push on the gas and say buh-bye! to all the boys trying to catch me. This car is sleek and TIGHT!

• 

  1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ferd0626 - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I got this car with 62,000 miles on it. Said goodbye when it reached 105 K. The car had good performance by late 90s standards, best 0-60 I did was 8.2 seconds. Steering was decent, but pedal feel was mushy and the headlights were very poor. Fuel economy was mediocre, about 24-26 hwy. Ride quality was average. Liked the exterior styling, especially the tail lights. Interior was not very good, the door and dashboard panels were cheap. Poor assembly, each power window went out at least once, and flimsy cup holders. Besides the windows, other issues included an intake manifold problem, loss of ABS and traction control after a couple of years, and the stereo went out.