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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  Very Reliable Car - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jet_dr969 - July 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car to get back and forth to school in back in 98 and besides brakes, tires and a battery it has been very reliable. I thought someone had vandalized it the other day but it turns out the headlight lens just fell off. They are apparently good for about 5 years. A word of caution, when replacing the headlight be very careful with the turn signal assembly! They go for about $110 and I found out the hard way.

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  Good Car - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Good Car - July 13 - 3:36 am

  Bought this car with 96,000 Km. Car is reliable and handles great, looks great also. The only main problem Ive had with this car is the front end but with our roads its to be expected. They only have to develop a better wheel bearing. Replaced 6 times in 1 and a half years and the wheel bearings are not cheap.

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  Solstice - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Dale Devol - July 12 - 12:26 am

  Have been driving for the past 11 months and love it. Really turns heads when you drive down the road, top up or down! Handles beautifully but not happy with shift from 2nd to third. Only wish I had waited until the turbo came out.

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  My fun Bonny - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By matt - July 10 - 3:00 pm

  I just got my Bonneville SE, I love my new Pontiac, especially when I raced a new Toyota Camry Solaro, and I beat it 2 times. Even though the car may be big, its still got tons of power

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  2006 Pontiac Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Tom - July 9 - 8:26 pm

  One minor problem requiring return to dealership. Fuel economy not quite up to projected EPA ratings. Quiet, smooth ride & good interior room. Should have rear disc brakes.

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  Firebirds rock! - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By speed demon - July 9 - 7:33 pm

  I had purchased this car from a friend who had it for a year before me. I have had only a few problems with this car. It has 162,000 miles and I have had to replace the optispark distributer and the powersteering pump, because the aluminum bracket that holds it got stripped. And the power door locks went out completely and the drivers side power window also went out. Other than that it has been great. I have owned it for more then two years and when I got the car it only had 112,000 miles. Other then the small squeaks that the body makes, the car is a blast to drive just watch out for cops. Very easy to be pulled over.

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  Good car - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By G. Hasty - July 8 - 6:30 pm

  I have had this car for three years. I have had very little trouble with it. Just replaced the tires and the brakes; with routine oil changes, I have had no problems. Great fuel economy car.

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  98 - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By dkammeraad - July 8 - 10:00 am

  Good Van the only thing is wen something does wear out it cost a arm and a leg ( intake gasket, wheel bearings, brakes)

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  Reliability - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By M Kohn - July 8 - 10:00 am

  As an on the sales manager I cover 1,200 a week on average in mostly interstate driving and this car has done very well. Comfortable with few machinical issues.

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  Waiting for it to bite the dust - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carrie - July 6 - 6:43 am

  I have had this car for about 4 years and have had several problems with it along with several breakdowns on the side of the road. My alternator has gone out twice, I have had a continuous oil leak that was supposed to be fixed, it squeaks when I drive it and no one can tell me what is wrong with it, there is always a problem with my alignment, and I have had problems with the electrical system - when I turn on the air conditioner my headlights will turn off. Not supposed to happen right? Also my gas gauge tells me the wrong amount of gas I actually have. I am trading in this car before it breaks down on me again. Thank god for triple A.