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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  01 Trans Am WS6 - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By Cgseaman - October 13 - 2:00 am

  Awesome car...fun to drive and really sporty. Its not too difficult to add on features to give it more of a muscle sound. Great look and always turning heads!

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  Nice car but disappointed in performance - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Lisa - October 12 - 4:30 am

  Love the looks and comfort of this car. Handles pretty well accept does not do well in the snow. Ive had other front wheel drive cars do much better. Rides smooth. A little disappointed in the gas mileage. Didnt get what was quoted. I have had my car for 6 months and am working on trading it already. I need one with better traction in the snow.

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  A Good Car for the Money - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By G. Chan - October 8 - 9:43 pm

  I bought this car from the original owner when it had 107,xxx miles. The previous owner had taken an excellent care of it. When I bought it, it came with the complete maintenace history of the car. I drive from Pocatello, Idaho to Phoenix, Arizona about 3 times a year, and it gives me no problem. At times, I would just drive 14 hours straight, no problems at all. Until one day, the intake manifold was leaking. My dad, a GM mechanic, told me that the car needed a new re-designed intake. It was very expensive to replace even tho my dad bought me the parts. but overall, the car has been great for the money.

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  WOW What else can I say ? - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By jackay_boy - October 5 - 12:10 am

  I have had this vehicle for several months now, and look for reasons to take it out and play. All of the ponies under the hood are married perfectly with the 6 speed tranny. I think this 3.6 really puts out like Pontiac said it would. Hope I get to keep my license for as long as I own this beauty, which I have the feeling will be a long time.

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  gtp - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By michelle - October 4 - 11:43 am

  I fell it is to small, I paid 32,000 and went back 6 months later to trade in and they only wanted to give me 16000. Feel every bump, speakers vibrate too much

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  Just got mine - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By DG - October 3 - 7:53 pm

  I really like it. My sisters say its ugly, but I love the look of it. Its very unique and very sporty. Its kind of got a truck feel on the interior, sporty, but definitely smooth ride and handles great. Cant wait to go off-roading with it.

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  Its a decent, reliable car, very roomy! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By KK - October 1 - 11:16 am

  I have owned my 07 for about a year and a half. I have had minor issues that I have taken it into the dealership, but nothing major thus far. I agree with other people about the interior plastic type pieces being cheap. Other than the cheap plastic pieces its an overall good car. The trunk space is amazing!!!!!

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  08 G6 Convertible - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Couger - September 29 - 1:50 am

  Overall, a great car. In the handling departement, it competes well with Japanese models. It doesnt compete with the German cars, but its a lot less expensive, and sportier looking to boot. Anyone looking for a convertable would do well to consider the G-6. The seats are comforable and well designed. The lack of a power recline feature on the power seats can be overlooked. The height of the arm rests are perfect. So far, we havnt had any probles with this car. This car looks and feels great. Some one else mentioned last year that college girls love this car. Its true. Just trust me on this. If youre a single 20 or 30 something guy and can afford it, buy this car.

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  I love it! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kirby87 - September 28 - 7:50 pm

  I may have just bought it, but it had 100,000 miles on it and was in pretty much imaculate condition. (except the PCV hose had been broken and was ducht taped) The over all handling of the vehicle makes me squeek in excitement every time I climb in it. I fell in love with it the moment I test drove it. The only good part about it was that the previous owners took great care of it and kept up on the mantenance. the only things I see is wrong, is that the coolant smells funny, the volume controls on the dash dont work properly, and the drivers side window squeeks when I roll it up, and the pcv valve being broken off

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  My first car - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By red/line - September 28 - 4:50 am

  When the salesman pulled the white 2005 Sunfire up, at first I was upset. He told me take it for a spin, and when you come back, tell me what you thought. Lucky for me the dealership was right next to the freeway. I got the car up to 55, and floored it. All it took was the time to downshift, and hit the powerband(instantly), and I was doing 70, going into 3rd gear which never ends. I love the performance of this car. The styling is cool as well, it stands out from the crowd. The interior is cool, but kinda cramped, but im just over 62" so it would be.