Overview & Reviews

In response to strong competition and the perceived "soccer mom" stigma its midsize Montana minivan was suffering from, Pontiac hatched its Montana SV6 "crossover sport van." Based on the outgoing minivan's chassis, the SV6 stood taller and had a longer nose and surgically enhanced cladding along its sides to make it look more like an SUV. The results were an improvement, actually, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 ended up being the most rugged-looking minivan in the General Motors camp.

Despite these enhancements, however, sales of the Montana SV6 didn't exactly rebound to Pontiac's satisfaction. In fact, they continued to drop in its second and final year. Perhaps this was because the SV6 was really just a warmed-over Montana with an available 3.9-liter V6 engine and a few structural upgrades underneath to improve crashworthiness. Other improvements included optional seat-mounted side-impact airbags for second-row occupants, though such protection was still lacking in the third row. The SV6 was more family-friendly overall, however, seating seven with a fold-flat 50/50 third-row seat.

In sum, the Pontiac Montana SV6 was pretty much an ordinary minivan with beefed-up styling and acceptable levels of content and capability. But it still couldn't match the driving competence, safety features or popular conveniences of the day's top minivans.

Most Recent Pontiac Montana SV6

The Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan was sold for 2005 and 2006 only. Standard equipment included air-conditioning, an eight-speaker CD/MP3 sound system, rear-seat DVD entertainment and OnStar telematics. An options package added a passenger-side power sliding door, power driver seat, sport suspension and rear air-conditioning. An optional PhatNoise mobile digital media system allowed owners to store thousands of MP3s and/or several dozen movies. Other popular available items included dual power-sliding side doors, leather seating, heated front seats and rear parking assist.

The standard Montana SV6 engine was a 3.5-liter V6 (200 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque) coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission and available in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions. For 2006 models, an optional 3.9-liter V6 was available. It generated a healthier 240 horses and 240 lb-ft of torque, but was offered on front-drive SV6s only. On the safety front, second-year SV6s also benefited from optional second-row side airbags.

Inside, the Pontiac Montana SV6's cabin featured a pleasing color scheme with bright, metallic-looking accents. Convenient folding center trays were available in the first two rows, and an adjustable overhead rail system provided rear passengers with access to climate and entertainment controls as well as additional storage. A couple of options made life much more convenient and comfortable for all: The PhatNoise digital media system meant no longer hassling with CDs or DVDs on the road, while remote vehicle starting made it easy to warm the van on chilly mornings.

We found the standard V6 to be underpowered compared to other minivans in its class, so we recommend that shoppers look for the punchier 3.9-liter V6. The Montana SV6's standard suspension was tuned to deliver a soft, smooth ride, and we found handling response about average for this type of vehicle. SV6s with the optional sport suspension did offer sharper handling, but did nothing to improve its excessive turning radius, which sometimes made maneuverability difficult in tight quarters.

User Reviews:

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  Build Quality leaves me disappointed - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By pgkuchar - September 11 - 5:53 am

  I purchased this van as a GM certified used vehicle with 10,000 miles on it. In the first week of having it I noticed transmission fluid dripping from under the engine. It turns out they needed to replace seals in the transaxle. This is major surgery on essentially a brand new vehicle. I traded a 2004 Kia with 30,000 miles on it that had never had a single issue, so I was very disappointed to have these kinds of problems immediately. The GM certification sure didnt mean much. I wonder now what else will be waiting for me from this point forward.

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  Pontiac Montana SV6 - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By George J - October 5 - 10:06 pm

  The interior design is very poor. The second row seats wont fold down because the head rests are so big they hit the front seats. Also, they dont flip up like my Chevvy Ventures seats did to make more room temporarily for cargo. They also have slippery rounded backs, so you cant carry anything on them when they are in the down position. They are too heavy for me to carry alone, whereas I could carry 2 of the Ventures seats at the same time. The third row seats are even heavier, requiring two people to move them. Further on the headrests, they are so large as to render rear vision very limited. You have to use the mirrors to back up. The dealership has been great though.

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  Pontaic Montanna SV6 2006 opinion - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Will - February 3 - 7:26 pm

  Short base van. 47K Kms. Blue colour. The good: Comfortable. large, smart looking, takes 2 kids and a dog easily. Long rides are easy to drive. Very practical. Cons: Build quality is questionable. SW problem (fuel cap is open message) took 3 weeks to diagnose and repair). Now have a horrible creaking noise when turning wheel and front end is very noisy when going over bumps.. suspect stabilizer bars. Engine. Very powerful in cruising, reasonably fuel efficient. Starting power is lacking. Stereo system and DVD players are reasonably good. Included cordless headphones are a nice touch.

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  GM Doesnt Stand By Their Products - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Kris - November 23 - 10:00 am

  With 20,000, our Montana failed inspection and needed all new tires, a new sway bar and new shock absorbers. GM is not standing by their product and refusing to reimburse us for the cost of repairs. I see this as a sign of things to come, so, were dumping this car as soon as we can and buying HONDA. The Montana is my fourth GM car, I would have been a loyal GM customer forever, but not after whats happened.

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  bad dealers info - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By mikolo - March 23 - 12:20 am

  City driving; average 19l/100km, not even close to what dealer and Gm claims:13l/100km. Cargo space is ridiculosly small, also legroom at 2nd and 3th row. Rattling noise on cracks on the road.

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  Dont Buy One! - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Goodbye Pontiac - November 2 - 12:43 am

  I have been buying Pontiacs for many many years, I am so disappointed with this product, I will probably not buy another. I will be saying hello to Ford again. The seats water stain and I am talking one trip to the pool and your seats will be a mess and take many many hours of work. I even had the dealership steam them and that didnt work. I scrubbed and scrubbed and had to saturate the whole seats to get them decent. Next time to pool, they did it all over again. They knew this and continue to use this material. If it doesnt have leather seats, dont even think about it, you will be as sorry as I am. Cant wait till it is time to trade. Emailed a complaint and no results.

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  Great looking car, crappy build - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By ZDW - July 7 - 12:20 pm

  I purchased this vehicle because I liked the outer body design, however I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. I have had to replace the sway bar link twice, replace the brakes and rotors numerous times, the wheel bearings are shot, the bushing had to be fixed, the shocks are shot, and it is difficult to start. Additionally, the automatic door sometimes refuses to close and there is this annoying ding sound the entire time we are driving. This car was purchased for me to drive my family around and now it looks as though I am going to have to trade it in for a better car.

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  Cheap, but cheap - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Cavea T. Emptor - June 17 - 7:40 am

  Im amazed by the generous reviews, but I guess buyers want to be happy. Shoppers should be more critical however, so beware. It has the usual hundred little fit and finish flaws that typify domestics, which should not come as a surprise. However, the ceiling is lower than previous models, and although Im only 6, I have to slouch to avoid hitting my head on the center console and outer pillar. Leg room for driver and front passenger is barely adequate. Same old silly under- the-hood wipers are impossible to clear without lifting the hood. At least they moved the grille off the hood assembly so you might not shatter it in cold weather. It runs, but you get what you pay for.

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  SV6 nightmare - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By dartguy43 - January 1 - 5:06 am

  When I bought this van back in 2006 I needed a family vehicle that I could also have the room to move a few musical instruments around in. This van does about 3 to 4 long highway drives a year (approximately 1000 km there and back). The rest of the time it just gets driven around the city. I have always done the regular maintanance on the vehicle at the dealership and still this thing has been nothing but problems. They have had a steering column recall,comes with crappy tires (good for about 25000 km at most,has had to have numerous brake jobs, a transmission flush at 78000 km,bushing arms replaced, rotors replaced etc. \

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  Water leaks - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Rick D. - July 24 - 2:20 pm

  I purchased a 2006 SV6 AWD. It was a used lease van with 12,500 miles.The dealer prepped it for sale after purchase agreement. I have been a GM owner and mechanic for 30 years.I wanted the AWD version for safety in winter. It handles,brakes and has more comfort than the Astro AWD it replaced.The 3.5liter engine power per weight ratio is too low, but the 3.9 liter has too much torque for the AWD unit! The van had a major flaw that may have been unique to this one or a problem on the assembly line.It had a chronic water leak from the wheelwells and all the seams.The rug was always wet. The dealer had to completely strip out the interior and found multiple leaks from improper sealant at all seams