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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  4th Pontiac MiniVan - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By EEEVan - July 28 - 2:00 am

  This is my 4th Pontiac Mini Van. My first was bought in 1990. Pontaic has continued to remove feature from previous years vechicle model. There are no longer pouches on the back of the front seats for storage and no storage compartment below the front passenger seat. The adjustor for tilt in the front seats is now a lever vs. the more user friendly knob adjuster. Dealership unaware of the fact that Anit-lock brakes are no longer a standard feature with the vechicle.

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  better than a tempo - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By jake the snake - July 27 - 10:00 am

  The 1997 Pontiac Sunfire is a nice litte car. It accelerates well, with its 2.4L 150 horsepower engine. The convertible top leaks, but so does every convertible after awhile. The stereo can barley be heard at full volume on the freeway with the top down, hence my speakers are all blown now. It has the smallest trunk in the world. My #2 cylinder died at 93000 miles. A used engine installed cost me $3300. Its fun, pretty and looks like its smiling all the time (not very aggressive looking, at all), but its not very cheap to maintain and its about as reliable as compaq tech support.

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  Pontiac Firbird - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By Steven Glavan - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I like this car a lot. Its fast and sporty looking. Its not too bad on gas. I would recommand this car for first time divers if they want a sporty looking car, but not as dangerous as the V8 model.

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  favorable and would do it again - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By victorc - July 27 - 10:00 am

  i love this car. I have had no problems. The only thing i which was i got 8 passagener seating.

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  99 Formula Bird - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By John K - July 27 - 10:00 am

  Good car, look at numbers

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  I picked a good one... - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Longneck - July 27 - 10:00 am

  I am 66"/275 lbs. I was surprised at how much room I have. I like the acceleration and handling. I drive country roads and the tracking is superb on the curves. It gets hot down here in Texas, but the AC cools the car down very quickly. The sound system is great, too. So far, I am quite pleased and feel like I got a real bargain.

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  Very disappointed, but relieved - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By JennyB - July 27 - 1:43 am

  I have just hit my two years of owning my 2006 G6 Sedan and I have already put $1000+ into the car. After reading the other reviews, Im so sad to hear that others are having the same troubles. Two months after owning the vehicle, I was told by the dealership during an oil change, that the front struts were leaking and that my steering shaft needed to be lubed due to a clunking sound. A year into owning the car, I have had my brakes, rotors, blinker bulbs and front struts replaced. I am about to have my right front wheel bearing replaced this week. Just a note of advice if you hear a tingy sound while driving with the windows down, it could possibly be a clamp loose on the muffler.

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  americanmade - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By americanmade - July 24 - 8:33 am

  truly american made, very reliable, no regrets. good mpg, pleasure to drive. did a lot of research b4 bought car. stayed away from supercharged models. nothing but qudos for 3.8 stnd. good rm for big people. plenty of power. looks great(for american made. I got a good one!

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  Fun Little car to drive - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Marty - July 24 - 7:03 am

  I test drove cars for 6 months before I saw my Pontiac Vibe. When I saw it I thought this is perfect for me and my kids. They have school activities, and I can go shopping and still have room for everything else. Great gas mileage as well.

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  Love it! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Mandy - July 23 - 11:50 pm

  I really love my new Vibe. I think a lot has to do with the dealership as well. They were very helpful! This car has been through some rough weather already, and did wonderful!