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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  Luv it unless Im going up the hill - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By khokoomj - October 15 - 8:44 pm

  bought my car brand new Sept. 03, went to the dealershop and specifically told the salesman what kind of vehicle I wanted. I got a sporty looking orange vibe, I luv it unless I am going up the hill and it starts to power out and I have to shift down, great on prairie roads. Recently, there is a ticking sound and had it inspected & changed different things I have been told might be wrong with it, but the ticking is still there. A GM dealershop told me it might be the tranny but I have no problem shifting or anything like that or might be a rock inside the tranny, have had no other problems with it except its gutless. I have been told it might be the purge valve so I will change it

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  200,000 still going strong!!! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By tigerfury007 - October 15 - 8:41 am

  My mother in 2004 needed a new car her old car was worn out and she is rough on cars. She test drove couple cars and fell in love with the pontiac vibe. She bought it brand new with 9 miles on it and in 2014 exactly 10 years later I write this review this car now has 211,000 miles still drives literally like its brand new aged very well awesome gas mileage and cheap to maintain!!! I recommend this car for anyone Toyota and GM made a good product toyota powertrain and motor and gm body. Since pontiac is dead now the vibe is still being made under the Toyota Matrix nameplate.

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  2001 ssei - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By serell - October 14 - 10:00 am

  The paint quality needs to be improved for metallic light bronze mist. There are numerous small air bubbles in the paint. The fit on the door handles could be tighter to the body.

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  Should Be Criminal - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By EG6 - October 14 - 5:43 am

  A vehicle with this fun factor should be a crime. I drive lots and this car absolutely does it for me! The stereo rocks, engine is nice n peppy, handling is superb, and gas mileage is great! It is rated at 29, I get 35 easily going uphill! This is a tough cookie to beat!

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  good car - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Happy Owner - October 13 - 2:30 pm

  This has been a great car. When I look at comparable vehicles I feel I kept $10,000 in my pocket and have a safe, fun, powerful American car. Buy American had better become a way of life in this country or it will no longer be our country!

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  My favorite car of all time - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Alayne - October 12 - 10:43 pm

  My biggest disappointment is that Ill never be able to get another one. I have loved the reliability, value and function of this car. Rides fantastic! Great pickup. Function, function, function on the interior. Like everyone else, I would say the rear spoiler causes a major blind spot but you do get used to it. I have almost 90K on this and still no problems. I am going to drive it into the ground.

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  I Love My New 2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Packerman - October 11 - 10:00 am

  I just bought my GTO 07/31 and it is a BLAST to drive, the power is great and the throaty sound of the exhaust reminds me of my High School days when everyone had a muscle car. The rear bucket seats are cool and the instrument cluster is very impressive I almost forgot the suede on the doors and in the front. I like the brushed aluminum finish this is not my Fathers Pontiac. The interior is also made with very high quality parts and materials unlike other Pontiacs which kept me from getting a Grand Prix last year (I am very thankful for that). The GTO is PURE MUSCLE with a little luxury thrown in to keep you happy. It is a mixture of a 67 Firebir

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  Very Pleased - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Maryland - October 9 - 4:16 am

  A problem free car and the best riding minivan on the market. What a smooth ride. The DVD player is used constantly and my kids love it. I have the 3.9 Liter engine and the acceleration and power are phenomenal.

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  Never buy a GM again! - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By Disappointed - October 8 - 3:13 am

  This car is nothing but problems! I will never buy anything from GM again. It feels like every day something else is wrong with this car and then when I bring it to the dealer for service, they tell me they have it fixed yet the problem never gets resolved until five trips back to the dealer and after buying parts I didnt even need! I HATE this car! Take my advise and save your money and time, I wish I did. NEVER AGAIN!

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  Love my new Vibe - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Judy - October 7 - 5:33 pm

  Ive only had my Vibe for a month and I just love it. Its easy to handle and so far I get 29 mpg with mostly city driving. With the winter months just around the corner it will be interesting to see how it handles on the snow and ice. I downsized from a mini-van and although it doesnt have the passenger room I havent found it a problem yet. We only have one child left at home so we dont need the 7 passenger capacity.