Overview & Reviews

The Pontiac brand is part of the General Motors family, and is home to many of the automaker's more performance-oriented vehicles. Currently, the marque offers a broad range of sporty cars and SUVs. However, as part of GM's restructuring plan, the brand is slated to be discontinued by the end of the 2010 model year.

Pontiac originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907; it was founded by Edward Murphy. Acquired by General Motors in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. Dubbed the "Chief of the Sixes," the car was powered by a six-cylinder engine and made its debut at that year's New York auto show. It was so successful that the Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Throughout the 1930s and '40s Pontiac made coupes, sedans and wagons in the low-to-mid price ranges. A unique styling cue of Pontiac cars from the mid-'30s to the mid-'50s was known as "Silver Streak," a set of art-deco-inspired chrome "speed lines" that ran up over the length of the hood to the base of the windshield.

The 1950s saw the introduction of the Pontiac Bonneville. The sprawling, stylish cruiser offered equal measures of performance and luxury, and was a breakout hit. But it wasn't until the 1960s that the Pontiac brand truly came into its own. American manufacturers had begun to offer downsized alternatives to the gigantic cruisers that had ruled the highways in previous decades. Pontiac came to market with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac made its biggest impact yet with the creation of the GTO option for the Tempest. By equipping the car with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V8 from the full-size car line, Pontiac created the first "muscle car." Phenomenally successful, the GTO helped define the burgeoning muscle car category. Pontiac also saw tremendous success during the latter part of this decade with its Firebird and Firebird Trans Am.

The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a priority for many car buyers. Following the lead of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles like the Ventura and Phoenix a major part of its lineup. The '80s saw the launch of the two-seat Pontiac Fiero. Despite its modest beginnings (it was initially marketed as a "commuter car"), the Fiero eventually blossomed into a credible sports car.

The '90s saw the launch of Pontiacs like the Sunfire and Montana minivan. Pontiac has slowly lost sales due to changing tastes and a lack of differentiation between its models and those of other GM divisions. In hopes of recapturing past glory, the division embarked on a plan to retire aged models and introduce all-new ones with distinctive styling and personality. For a while, the effort seemed to be bearing fruit. New models like the Vibe, Solstice and G8 made Pontiac a brand to consider in many segments. However, GM's financial troubles in 2008 and 2009 have resulted in the company's decision to phase out Pontiac as a brand. It's expected 2010 will be Pontiac's last year for new models.

User Reviews:

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  Driving a 2005 Pontiac G6 - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Brandy Bohn - August 11 - 4:26 pm

  I could never have a better vehicle. I'm at 330k+ miles on my Pontiac G6 and she runs like a champ! With regular maintenance and up keep your Pontiac could last this long too!

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  Mitch - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Marti Mitchell - July 26 - 2:39 pm

  I just recently bought a 2003 pontaic vibe I live this car I am 51 yes old and the best car I have ever had plan to give it to my daughter as soon as she passes her drivers license test. Would like to buy another one Lakeland Florida

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  2006 Pontiac Torrent SUV FWD - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Gary - January 10 - 4:40 am

  I love my 06 Pontiac Torrent sents bought new in 2006 have had no issues with it , its now January 2020 and the millage now is 218,508 runs like a charm.

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  Super reliable and sporty little car. - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Ray Olson - October 29 - 7:58 pm

  I got this car second-hand from a friend, so I know the entire history. Replaced the starter motor twice, the alternator once, brake pads three times, cooling fan once, several batteries, several sets of tires. Thats it. The car still looks, runs and drives just like new after 17 years and 212,000 miles. Great handling, fun to drive, decent power and good gas mileage. My only complaint is that the ABS system seems to screw up on ice and snow. I think Id be better off without it, but its a minor issue. I always buy cheap, old beaters and this is far and away the best one ever. I think this will be the first of my cars to crack 300,000 miles.

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  G5 gt - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By Mario Armanno - October 20 - 12:19 am

  The car is great handles like a champ all the power u need with a 2.4 gt I think it is a great car solid feel better than any Japanese cars Ive drove I wish the just had a wider wheel stance for better cornering not that its bad now with the gt but 2 inch wider would make it a true sports car very quite solid running car that fits young family and sports car very nice

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  ‘07 Pontiac G6 - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Kevin - January 5 - 8:03 pm

  Bought new in ‘07 and still own. Engine and drive train on the 2.4 have been great. No problems except for oxygen sensor. That is what most folks complained about when it ran rough. I did the fix myself with aftermarket sensor and zero problems since. This car has been used by all 5 of my sons and now wife’s daily driver. Still drives and handles like new. Except door seals could now be replaced to keep road noise down. 190k miles now and might just last another 190k as long as I keep putting in Prolong or Duralube every other oil change. Still looks great and won’t ever sell it. If you take care of most cars, they will last.

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  Pontiac Montana sv6 are amazing - 2008 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Jehad Chamseddine - May 19 - 10:04 pm

  Beautiful vehicles never let me down drives very nice and favrioute vehicle ever had this vehicle is great for family’s and really recommend buying it

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  My 1st car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Thatsunfiredude - December 20 - 7:35 am

  Bought this car used around July 2016, as every 1st time car buyer I was skeptical at 1st but when I drove it for the 1st time I loved it. Also the previous owner installed a Bluetooth radio so Im always jamming out. 😂 However Id say that around a month after I got the car the shift cable broke and it was a $200 fix including the part for it. Then a couple months later at around 175,000 miles the brakes were bad when I got this car ( I knew it but didnt have enough to get it fixed) so I finally took it to get it repaired and I had a brake fluid leak, my brake shoes, drums, pads, and rotors needed replacing so all of that came out to a $300 fix. Now the car drives sooo smooth. However the check engine light keeps coming on and sometimes when driving all the dashboard lights come on and Im pretty sure its a sensor error somewhere. Every part of this car I want to restore before I eventually sell it but for now I really love this car. I have a red 2002 se and still driving like a champ. Might have a few dents and sun damage but its a cool ass car. However room interior could be better. This car I can clearly tell was made for the younger generation. This car is a smart investment because if you have any problems its pretty cheap to fix than cars nowadays. 😂 Like they said in the Pontiac commercial. "The Pontiac sunfire, get one for yourself." Also, awesome on gas compared to a Honda. For an older car it sure keeps up with time. If you ever see these cars on the road especially any Pontiac brand that owner is probably proud of their car.

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  10 years and keeps on going! - 2016 Pontiac Torrent
  By René Arana - December 13 - 6:16 pm

  I bought this Pontiac to replace a 1999 Grand Am (which I did with a heavy heart) because I needed to upgrade it. This vehicle has been great to own. Right now the odometer has almost 89k miles on it (I use to commute to and from work). The only mayor jobs I have done on it have been replacing the dual radiator fans, front wheel bearings, resurfaced the front disc brakes and rear rotors. After spending $1100 for all that this SUV just keeps doing fine. The next job I will have to work on is a new paint job (the clear coat has begun to fade on top of the hood and door frames). I just think that if you keep good care of the car, no matter what make it is, it will respond great!

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  2004 Pontiac Aztek - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Kristi - August 1 - 6:37 pm

  Love my Aztek, my only complaint is they stopped making them. PLEASE BRING THEM BACK!