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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  My 2 month lemon - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Lisa Riggs - May 20 - 12:33 am

  I just purchased my 2009 Vibe on 9/29/08 with recommendations from many people. I loved the car up until 11/18/08 when the car wouldnt start. as of today 12/14/08 the car is in the shop for the 4th time not starting. I have a 4 yr old son and Im afraid to go out of town with this car. I purchased a brand new car so I wouldnt have any of these problems. Im hoping they can fix the car this time otherwise, this is a lemon. Ive heard so many good things about the Vibe and then this happens. Im very disappointed and will be expecting a full refund if it doesnt get fixed this time.

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  Typical car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By OK - May 15 - 10:43 pm

  I bought my GTP in January 2003 as my "dream car". Before that I had a 1997 Intrepid with the 3.5 engine. This car is much more exciting in both the exterior and interior with the excellent bose sound system and HUD, etc. The performance was good, but not that much better than my intrepid. The transmission does not shift nearly as smoothly as the Intrepid, it feels like you are "beating" on it no matter how careful you are. I had the tranny checked out by two different shops and they both say its OK. So no big deal. I had a wheel bearing go out at about 40k miles. My windshield washer pump went out at 60k. Had the belts and thermostat replaced. Nothing major. Overall Im pretty satisfied.

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  Grand Am Brake Nightmare - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DrRotty - May 14 - 2:00 am

  The car is a blast to drive, when it isnt in the shop having the front brakes worked on! Im very disappointed with Pontiac in the brake department. Ive had my 2000 GT in the shop four times in 1 1/2 years because of brake problems. One would think that GM would have taken care of the poor brake design by now, with all of the warranty work they are paying for. Because of this I will never buy another Grand AM!

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  Love my car - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Stevep - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had many things replaced already, intake manifold, alternator, water pump, serpentine belt, headlights (leaking), but all of it was covered. I will be so sad when this car is gone, I can go fast, it looks great, and I still get about 24 mpg. At 78,000 miles it looks as good as my wifes 2002 GP GT rental! I told her that I prefer MY cars performance to the 2002s!

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  Overall its a good buy and a fun drive! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By snoopkus - May 13 - 10:00 am

  my grand am is smoke blue with black tinted window on the outside, i have a new cd player on the inside... and that all i had to do to feel satisfied with the vehicle. It looks good, it drives good, and if you make some engine mods that are under $300 total, it can be fast enough to suit your racing urges.

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  Nice car but lacking important qualities - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By aregister11 - May 11 - 2:40 am

  Overall a nice car; comfortable, decent pick-up for a 4 cyl car, and nice radio with mp3 jack. I think that the exterior makes the car look more expensive than it is. My big problems with this car is the lack of keyless entry and the fuel economy. There is only one keyhole on the drivers door and it only unlocks that door-a big pain with full hands. Also I only get about 21mpg which is a big let down to me. I feel like Im filling up all the time. Im glad its a lease. I miss my 06 Hyundai Elantra; it was cheaper had keyless entry and much better fuel economy. My advice - check other cars in this price range before buying, you may feel that you get more for your money.

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  Fast but unstable - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Adowler01 - May 9 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car only 2 weeks ago brand new. It was definatly the best bang for the buck. I replaced my 01 Saturn sc2. This car is def. faster (lov the ecitec motor), howevr compared to my sc2 it handles like junk.also the build quality could def. be better. I see places all over the car where the body panals are placed with poor spacing compared to the asian compediters.

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  Check It out - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By TtheMack - May 9 - 2:00 am

  We purchased a 2003 Aztek this past week and it is truly a pleasure to drive. We drove some of the other SUVs and noticed the firm ride in the Aztek is comparable to all of them. Minimal roll in fast corners, Rail- road tracks are barely detectable and Believe it or not, my wife and I have gotten Plenty of compliments about the aggressive appearance from the front when the fog lights are on!!!!

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  none - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Raynald R. Labonte - May 9 - 2:00 am

  For apperance it needs the chrome wheels as I have. The heads-up with the other add-on it intails, I wish I had and the car would be perfact, The gas miliage leaves a lot to be desired as I only get about ten city, and highway is twenty-one at best. The car is rated 18- 28. I also have the sunroof and leather w/heated seats.

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  Love the car hate the gas - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By stillarebel31 - May 7 - 10:50 pm

  Where is it going? The gas, one minute i can fill my tank on $40.00. 3 days later I am on E. Not happy where is it all going? I am sure not hotrodding it cant afford to go out much or drive all over ) just go to work and back. and i had over a 1/2 tank this afternoon same day i have quarter of a tank... my only problem is the power steering hose and the gas the GAS where is it going... My boyfriend is a mechanic I bought the car from a mechanic and i am getting mad. that i cant keep gas in this car,