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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  problems problems - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By bstrang84 - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 1999 Pontiac Grand Am SE 4 door in July of 2001. It was great until New Years Eve 2001. The next time we stopped, thank God it was in a parking lot, the car stalled and would not start anymore. We had to replace the alternator. Since then we have had to replace it two more times. I am afraid we will probably have to replace it again. With this car you never know. Also we have a leak somewhere in the radiator. The antifreeze keeps leaking out within 10 hours of filling it. Living in Michigan in the middle of winter with no heat is not a good thing. I always dreamed of owning this car. I never thought it would be a nightmare.

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  Lot of Car for the Money - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RoadGuy - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I test drove both the GT1 and GT2 Grand Prix, but not the GTP. This offers a lot of power, a solid body structure and a firm, taut, sporty ride. However, there is a lot of FWD torque steer, and the car lack the directional stability that makes highway driving so effortless in the better imports. Very comfortable in front with power seats, but rear is too tight for kids over 12 yrs. Exterior styling and build are impressive,but tacky plastic dash, and ugly cloth seats on pre 1/1/04 production are a let down inside. Leather seats, free until 3/31/04 on GT2, dramatically "upscale" the interior and are the way to go.

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  Good value and fun ride - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By doogienj - October 21 - 2:00 am

  I just got this car as a company car to replace my Chevy Impala LS. This is a mans car. The engine has a nice roar to it, though a bit noisy. This car accelerates like a rocket at stand still and 70MPH. Passing and merging has become fun:) I am also very pleased with the general handling and suspenstion. I would like a little more power steering when parking. The cockpit is well designed and easy to use. Trunk room is plentful. I wish they had used metal inside instead of cheap looking plastic.

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  Comfortable car - engine issues - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By kjkrgk - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car new because I fell in love with the looks and ride. Had absolutely no problems for 3 yrs, only needed routine maintenance. At 48000 miles the engine suddenly siezed, needed total engine replacement. After 2 months of aggravation and argument, GM and the dealer each covered a third of the repair costs, and threw in a $1500 certificate for a new GM vehicle. I still love the car, but dont have the same level of confidence when I first bought it. I plan to keep the car for another 4 to 5 years, hopefully no further major problems will develop.

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  Great price for a sporty coupe - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By wrmason3 - October 20 - 10:00 am

  Despite the increasing competition, I wanted a gas-sipping coupe with a sporty look that will keep profits in my country of residence (American built and designed). With all the rebates and price cutting going on, I compared specs and decided that I was going with a winner. I havent been disappointed yet. It is a really peppy little car, and feels significantly different with the new Ecotec 140 hp engine than the 98 Cavalier my wife once drove (which was a good car with no problems, part of my reason for going with a J- body again).

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  Went Back and got another - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kdoyea - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I foolishly got rid of my 2000 red GT, when I wanted to go down a car, (we had too many). However we have gone back and got one now, 2 yrs later, in an awesome color they did not have on my 2000. POLO GREEN, it is gorgeous! However, I was a little bummed they changed the mirrors to be like the Aleros, ie: no vent thru, like the Grand Prixs, and they changed the side ribbing/cladding a little, but the new polished wheel style and monsoon system is great!

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  Poor Quality - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mikee4667 - October 19 - 2:57 am

  I would not recommend this car to anyone. It had a water leak in the passenger side that shorted out a computer that cost 500 to fix. 3 out of 4 power windows broke, and the passenger mirror fell off when I scraped snow off it. The security light came on and I had to have a new ignition cylinder put in-another 300. I traded it in while it was still running. Just to be clear I changed the oil regularly and kept up the maintenance. Poor Quality--I can see why Pontiac went out of business.

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  Fun to Drive and Practical - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By jackb - October 18 - 12:10 pm

  Bought only used 2009 Vibe GT I could find within 300 miles of Chgo. Got a good deal $18,800 less trade etc. Had 3400 miles on it. Have had it for a month now. One long trip to Nashville, 1000 Mi. Fun to drive, handles great, performance w/5 sp auto very good. Very useful cargo capacity. Interior nice upscale, except it could use a little more foot & leg room. Exterior styling more appealing than previous model Vibes. Looks good in Hot Red Metallic. Gas mileage could be better about 23-25 in city, on trip avgd. 27.5 mpg driving 75-85mph plus some city driving, AC on whole trip. Trade off for 2.4 perf., I guess. Wifes car mostly. Quality seems very good & so far very reliable.

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  Stabilitrak - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By L Bgard - October 17 - 6:26 pm

  I bought my vehicle in June 07 and less than 6 mths later the back tires locked up (while I had my 2 mth old in the car!) and the stabilitrak lights came on. Brought it to the dealer and they fixed (so I thought). One month after my warranty ran out, the light came on again and my steering wheel locked up. I didnt bring it back to the dealer, but figured out it must b a computer glitch. If I turn my car off wait a few seconds then turn it back on, the light normally goes off and the wheel unlocks. This must be a problem with this particular vehicle! Dont purchase this vehicle in an awd! The paint on the window buttons located by the stick shift rubbed off. Looks like crap now. Seat stitching pulled apart

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  4 door family vette - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By BobK - October 17 - 1:40 pm

  I had a Monte Carlo SS which was a great car but I really wanted a V8 sport sedan with rear wheel drive 4 doors and a generous trunk. When the G8- GT came out I waited until the 2009 model and purchased a GT with the sport package and the premium package. This car is everything that I wanted. Great looks. outstanding power, superb handling, exceptional braking, comfortable interior with plenty of room for everybody. I have the color Pacific Slate, which brings many compliments. This car is the best bang for the buck when you compare apples to apples. I am a strong supporter of GM and their products. My wife loves the on star system and the xm radio.