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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  Drive Excitement! - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By Bowers - September 17 - 12:13 am

  Bought this after looking at the Ford, Nissan, Chevy, and Hyundai models that compete. With the $3,200 GM rebate and the $4,500 "clunker cash" rebate, we drove out way below the other models. Only 600 miles on it so far. Suspension seems tight, handling is sporty, interior is gorgeous, exterior is very appealing. Getting 25 mpg in town. Have not been on the interstate yet. Love the XM satellite radio and the built-in phone. Also have the OnStar. Just touch a button to activate the phone and speak out the number! Wonderful machine. Our 3rd Pontiac and loving it!

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  4 Years in Germany @ 163.2 mph - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By Zebranapper - September 15 - 12:46 pm

  These cars are amazing. I moved to Germany in Dec 2000. Was there until Jan 05 and I had 6 miles (10 kilometers) of Autobahn everyday @163.2 miles per hour (except in the rain I slowed to 120 mph) which is where the STOCK rev limiter kicks in (5th Gear 5750 rpm) Then drop it in 6th the car slows to 150 mph at 3700 rpm. At 110 miles per hour I got 26 Miles per gallon on a 300 mile trip. For $28,000 new you still cant beat me for the bang for $. I am returning to Germany this Spring for 4 more years (maybe more if I can retire there) of exquisite experiences of running down the autobahn at small aircraft velocities and still get reasonable gas mileage. Minor mods make this and excellent "Bahn Burner

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  Loaded GT w/On-Star is way to go! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By AztekSteve - September 15 - 10:40 am

  An Aztek GT with the leather and cargo and camper package with ON-Star is a great package. Sure, with any Aztek that has On-Star you sacrifice the sunroof... But oh what a gain! Be mindful of the On-Star. Most 2001 and 2002 models use the older analog system. I have had to tell my local GM service department more about fixing it properly than they know.

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  Great Cheap Car - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By BrendanP - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car a week a month ago, and i love it. It is definetely worth the buck, and a great buy if you are young and looking for a car easy to soup up, and cheap too.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Chris from FL - September 15 - 2:00 am

  This is my second sunfire SE coupe. I purchased this car in April 02 with 2 miles on it --- now it has 32,000 on it. This car is great. it has the sun & sound package and it gets 33 MPG on the highway and 26 MPG in the city. No problems runs great. looks good and less money than a civic ( I compared prior to purchase ). It has good performance for a small engine. just put custom wheels on it. looking forward to many trouble free years.

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  my new used car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Mojogo20 - September 15 - 2:00 am

  I just got this car two weeks ago to replace a 2000 SE-1 which I got in January of this year and was totalled in an accident in September. I love this (these) car(s)! The handling, power, ride and styling are the best I have ever owned in a vehicle. The layout of the instrumentation and accessories are very user friendly and easy to understand and use.

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  Great American Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Very happy G6 Driver - September 12 - 9:46 am

  I bought this car as my first American Car in over 15 years. I traded a 2005 Toyota Camry in for it. The legendary Camry isnt all its stacked up to be. I owned 2 Camrys and Now, I realize it is mostly the Media who hates american cars. I find the Pontiac G6 to be better in almost every way than the 05 Camry. It has more power and about the same fuel economy as the 4 cyl Camry. I find no cars really get the advertised fuel economy they are supposed to. No sqeeks or rattles like the Camry and the Transmission is flawless and knows when to shift, unlike the Camry. The camry is a good car, but the G6 is alot more exciting and performs better. The interior build quality is better.

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  I Love my Pontiac Bonneville - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mary Ann - September 12 - 5:03 am

  I had a 1995 Bonneville and with its mileage at 128,000 I knew it would last much longer but in 2005 they made the last one so I had to make a decision and decided to get the 2005. I absolutely love it. Cant say enough about it. I can go a week on a tank - it gets me about 26 miles/gallon around town and to work. Its comfortable to drive and even spend time in parked watching movies on a dvd player/doing computer work, etc. Love it ! Bring it back so in ten years I can buy another! GM must be slowing down selling cars because they are lasting longer!

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  Well worth my money - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By PoNtIaCHeart - September 12 - 2:00 am

  Was a great car that I enjoyed owning for 12 years. I bought it many years back and it was only my 3rd car I have ever owned. $8000 was the selling price with 81000 miles on it. I hung up the keys finally (but regrettably) last week. I had not payed attention to the coolant level, and with an aluminum block in a quad 4, you never want to overheat it. unfortunately I blew a head gasket. This car has been the best thing I have owned and, if treated right, would be an excellent car for a daily driver.

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  Great used car for teen driver - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jhairston - September 11 - 5:40 pm

  Im only 16 years old, and I got this as my first car. Bought it used from an elderly woman who rarely drove it, so it was practically new. It had 100,000 miles and now 10,000 miles later it has been very faithful and never hesitates to start. Pros: Excellent performance, reliability, sound system, interior comfort and room, exterior styling, interior add-ons like automatic lights, etc, great sounding exhaust, sporty suspension and great cornering, Heads up display:displays info on windshield, Cons: Cup holders: when cup is there it gets in the way to get to the shifter, rear lights:water can get in them but it is a pretty easy fix, small amount of interior rattles (but that comes with age).