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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  Satisfied - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By wa_drivr - July 23 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun, zippy little car. Good on gas and fun to drive. The sound system, for a stock model, is pretty nice. I commute 120 miles a day and I dont seem to mind!

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  I love my baby - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Vera Wilkinson - July 23 - 10:00 am

  Yu did not allow for the few of us that bought this car in 2002 I was the 1st at this dealer ship in chicago and have loved it ever since that day the only correction I have is the front window side molding is located at a point in view that obstructs when turning and the steering wheel does not tip down enough and the backing up visibility is harder because of the back window frame position This is not very much when yu consider all of the advantages and the fun of the drive also I have disablilites getting in other cars so this has been great ( I had a grand am before ) This is also a selling point

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  MY VIBE - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By TCC - July 23 - 10:00 am

  IT IS A SMALL CAR I AM NOT A SMALL CAR PERSON IT IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE FOR ME I WOULD NOT TAKE IT ON A LONG TRIP

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  in the shop moe then - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By larryscott - July 23 - 10:00 am

  My car has been in the shop more then I have driven it. One of tires has come apart in pieces, the window on the drivers side did not roll up after 10,000 miles, they had to replace the guide the switch and the relay, I had to have the intake gasket replaced 2 times with only 20,000 miles on the car, then the blinker stayed on and when I took it to the dealer they said there was going to be a recall on the Grand AM. Over all this car is helping me make my mind on another car because all the rental cars that I have gotten while my car was getting fixed.

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  2006 Not Worth It - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By archie74 - July 22 - 11:51 pm

  Paint on drivers side rear wheel started peeling after 4 years. Dealer dismissed this as it was off warranty and nothing they could do. Paint is now peeling on tailgate, front passenger 1/4, rear driver 1/4 panel and inside the rear passenger door. Im waiting to see if GM is going to step up as this is not the result of normal wear and tear. Inferior paint is a known problem on 2006 models.

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  Awesome Car! - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pontiacdude - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Own a 1998 GTP that has given me 70000 miles of trouble free driving. Great power, great handling, good ride. Lived in Germany and the car easily kept up with any European car on the autobahn except I was limited to about 130mph (pegged the speedometer) Its been the best car Ive owned because of the power. Owned 2 other trouble FREE AMERICAN cars before this one also.

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  Pontiac Sunfire - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Cars4me89 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car. Especially because of the Pontiac Wide Trac. Pontiac has a reputation for performance and that was definetly met.

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  LOVE MY SUNFIRE - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By michelle tucker - July 21 - 10:00 am

  I love my car and so does everyone else. It is great on gas and is really fun to drive. I am gonna keep it. I just wish I had gotten the grey interior.

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  Pontiac Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Cars4me89 - July 21 - 10:00 am

  Almost everybody I encounter ask me why did you by such an ugly car? I now realize how ugly it really is. The design for the money doesnt balance. I could under stand the styling if the car was like $19,000 or so. But it isnt very good value.

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  Never buy a GM vehicle again! - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By Military Momma - July 20 - 11:36 am

  Has same issue with the blend door actuator as the 06 model for which there is a recall. GM wont do anything for the same issue in the 08. My son is n active duty member of the US Army and can not afford the over $1000.00 repair Bill. Ridiculous!!