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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  Awesome Car!!! Unmatched deal! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Dan - September 22 - 12:30 pm

  I got one by checking all the dealerships. Mine was pretty much fully loaded with options. What a car!! Forget all the other brands, youd have to pay twice as much to get this anywhere else - way to go GM!!! It drives and feels like a sports car, yet comfortable for tall drivers (Im 61). People stop in awe, others drive closely to check out the brand and even a police officer stopped to ask me about that car. Take all options if possible, its definitely worth it.

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  2003 gt limited - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jess - September 21 - 10:00 am

  I love this car.There is plenty of interior space, the trunk is huge,the bose stereo system shakes the car when loud and is crystal clear,the car has great get up and go. the limited has lots of gadgets including the on board computerand heads up eye-cue. for the price of this car we got the most for our money.

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  Dont Waste Your Money! - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By NancyV1 - September 21 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car Ive ever owned (have owned about 8). Transmission rebuilt at 45000 miles and still having same problems with it. Brakes are always going out on it, am having to have rotors turned or replaced around every 8 mos, and pads last about 5-6 mos. Problems with intake manifold. Car does not retain its value. Many other websites have complaints from owners too. Many other engine probs, including power steering problems, but running out of room...

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  Great car for the money - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Andy - September 21 - 12:50 am

  The 05 Vibe is an excellent car to drive. The vvt-i engine is very responsive even at lower rpms. You dont have to sacrifice gas milage like you would with a Vibe GT. This one has all the power you need. I prefer the five speed over the six speed transmission also. It shifts without the knotchy feeling of the six speed I drove (03). The interior is spacious and comfortable with plenty of cargo room. The back seats fold down flat unlike some hatchbacks. Tie straps are included to help hold cargo on the slick plastic surfaces. The exterior design of the Vibe is streamline and sporty. A worth while option is the appearance package which includes color keyed bumpers and fog lights.

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  Awesome Surprise - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Mar - September 20 - 5:23 pm

  This was a surprise birthday gift from my husband. Its a beauty and draws lots of attention. Ride is almost as great as our Harley. Our three year old grandson calls it Lightning McQueen.

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  Love my G6 GT - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By G6Action - September 20 - 2:26 am

  No problems so far (knock on wood). After driving the Honda Accord and Chrysler Sebring, I chose the G6....much more fun to drive and I get looks everywhere I go as to what kind of car is THAT? Gas mileage is better than the listed 21/29mph as I get 25.6 consistently in town.

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  Ponti-yak - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By m&p - September 19 - 7:13 pm

  This is the most fun car weve ever driven! Push one button and you go from hard top to convertible - no latches to loosen or canvas covers to snap in place - the top automatically folds into the trunk in about 30 seconds. Most convertibles are quite noisy with the top up (only canvas between you and road noise) but this car is as quiet as any sedan when the tops up. Cant wait to tow it behind an RV and enjoy the vacation scenery from a vantage point only a convertible can provide. I have a Bluetooth phone which I can use when the tops down. There is hardly any wind noise in the front seat.

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  Built Like A Tank - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By BLUZ LVR - September 18 - 4:36 pm

  Unfortunately, in the 2 years we have owned our GT my husband & I each had an accident. I launched it off the mtn side falling out of mid-air into the creekbed after hitting a patch of gravel...no real visible damage. My husband got a flat, steered it across traffic, up an incline downing a fence, then rolled it after hitting a huge boulder...no one was hurt. It held up better than the Toyota Corolla it replaced. Windows stayed intact; no fluid leaks...What a champ!! Having a hard time finding another now that this one was totaled. Lots of research went into this purchase for us...my husband needed comfort and we needed to be able to transport music & sports equipment. Highly recommended!

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  Love my Bonneville - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Honeypml2003 - September 18 - 2:46 am

  I really love my car! I have had it for over a year and have driven it to death. The only problem is that the fuse to my interior lights keeps blowing. Other than that it is comfortable and a fun car to drive. When you keep the oil changes current it really accelerates! Gas mileage is okay! Oh and the plastic things in the car keep breaking (cover for the vanity mirrors for example) Other than that it is wonderful and a pleasure to own! IT is VERY reliable!

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  110 k and still a great little car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By paganpink - September 17 - 9:00 pm

  I have the regular FWD with auto. and moon and tunes pkg. Get around 30 mpg (combined) no matter how hard I drive, which is impressive. Recently passed 110,000 miles and have had to replace nothing but oil and tires, and just bought tires for the first time in 3 years. Super little vehicle with an amazing amount of space inside considering how compact it is on the outside, smaller in size than an older Honda civic! Easy to drive and park, small turning radius, and (w/the optional sound system) very loud and great sounding sound. No squeaks or rattles and handles surprisingly well in the turns. One of the best cars I have ever owned and I have had dozens. A Toyota at heart but w/Pontiac styl