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:

• 

  A lot bang for the buck - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By H - August 18 - 1:20 pm

  I bought my Aztek new in 2003. I drive a lot of highway so I wanted a few more comfort options and I wanted a vehicle that would sit up higher and have more room without getting a truck or a minivan. The car has been great with 2 large dogs and our child. It rides comfy and even though I thought these cars were so ugly when they came out, I actually like the look now. The car has been very reliable. I have read that consumer reports says to avoid them yet I have had few problems. The oil changes were always on time, I replaced the front brakes and bearings and had the 100,000 mile flushes done. At 113,000 miles the car is still riding as good as when it was new.

• 

  Great SUV for the Price - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Bill H - August 16 - 4:43 am

  Excellent value. Great style. Just drove 3900 miles with the family to Yellowstone / Tetons. Very comfortable ride with plenty of room, quiet ride. Leather/Heated seats are great in cold weather. This is the first new Pontiac Ive ever purchased. Very satisfied.

• 

  I Love My Aztek - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By iiicarol - August 15 - 10:00 am

  Honestly I have always wanted a Blazer.At the dealership we around and looked at Blazers,the trucks and then I saw a black Aztek. My first intial thought was " What is that?" I have never seen one until that moment.My husband drove it first, said he really liked how it handled and then I drove it. I Love everything about this vehicle. YEs it is unusual looking but that is what makes it so unique. I bought mine at 19,000 miles on Jan 2 2003, since then I have 27,000. We took it to the races in Feb, Took the back seats out threw in a mattress. It was the perfect trip.we are very faithful and loyal group us Aztek owners.

• 

  Very nice car with a few problems - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By WIdriver - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I love the look. I love the handling. The 3.8 engine continues to prove its durability. BUT, they have to redesign the split-bench front seat. Very uncomfortable. I use a seat cushion and that helps. And, I remember a time when seats were comforatble enough to fall asleep in. Not this car! The steering column stick shift covers the radio controls when in "Drive." DUH! The back seats are too low unless your kids are six feet tall. But for the money and size, I cant find a better vehicle.

• 

  My Electric Blue 2003 Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Ed H. - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle after extensive test drives of other similar vehicles. I was sold on the quality, functionality and amount of car I received for my money. Its easy to get used to the Azteks unique look and more and more people I talk to say the same thing. The smooth ride and towing capacity really convinced me that this is the vehicle for my family and me. I think if more people got behind the wheel of an Aztek, they also would be quite impressed. I hope GM continues to produce the Aztek as I will surely purchase another in the future.

• 

  Great Car! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Dakotawyatt - August 15 - 2:36 am

  Ive only owned this car for about a week now. I researched and drooled over it for 2 years, and finally took the plunge to buy it. This car is great! The whole car is beautiful, love the comfort of the seats and LOVE the panoramic sunroof. No awful wind noise at all. The 2-toned leather interior is luxurious, and the seats fit larger people comfortably. Shifting on the auto tranny is smooth and barely noticeable, and the engine has plenty of pep in its step! Great interior space; trunk is very big and back seat has plenty of legroom for our 4 year old in his booster seat. Overall fit and finish of the car is fantastic. I highly recommend to any small family not looking for an SUV.

• 

  Steering Nightmare - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Pete - August 13 - 8:36 pm

  A lot of fun to drive, not bad on fuel consumption, and has good looks. At 5,000 the steering rack was replaced, and at 26k we had the intermediate shaft in the steering box replaced w/ a new part. At 40k the cluck,cluck, noise started again "intermediate shaft" the dealer along w/ GM claims there is no safety problem and live with the noise. Im 55 and this was my last GM product.

• 

  Bad panoramic roof - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By 3006 - August 11 - 6:56 pm

  Aside from the panoramic roof, this is a good car for the money. Had it to the dealership for the third time to fix the wind noise from the sunroof. Said there was nothing they could do. As a result, I hate to say it, I will be buying another car because I cant stand the air noise. Wish I would have bought without the sunroof as I like the car otherwise.

• 

  Solid car - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Wayne - August 11 - 10:46 am

  The engine is very good, with lots of power. Mine now has 147,000 with 28 mpg, no oil use between changes. The plastic intake manifold cracked at 70,000, which did not happen in my 1989 Bonneville Series One 3.8 liter engine(going strong at 212,000), which had an iron manifold. Other maintenance has been front wheel bearings at 140,000, and now the tranny started slipping at 147,000. The experienced mechanic who does mostly transmission work says the clutches go out at about 125,000. $1,600 bill for the clutches and tightening the chain. GM dropped the ball when they ended the line.

• 

  review - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By cointoss - August 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought vehicle with 10000 miles on it, and over all very pleased. Have had 3 small problems, of which one was a engine stopper(alternator went out). Nice to drive and smooth ride. I have put Toyo TPT tires on it and that has made a world of difference in performance and ride. Love the mpg--30 on highway. Have 37000 on vehicle now and still is a great buy. No squeaks or comfort problems so far.