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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  First Car - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bonneville99 - June 27 - 9:23 pm

  Bought this car August 2009 w/ 127k miles as my first car. Now has 145k and still purrs like a kitten. Ride is amazing; like driving on a cross between a couch and a cloud. Power is great - I do a lot of highway driving and this car is way better than my mothers old Stratus. Really nice looking too - paint has held up well for being outside its whole life and the chrome rims make it look really sharp. Seats are very comfortable and the leather has held up really well considering the age. Awesome sound system. Replaced EGR valve and fuel pump, but we expected that one when we bought it (really common on these), but other than that its only been regular maintenance.

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  OK, so I actually LIKE the looks! - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By vairbird - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This has been a great vehicle! Tons of space, great gas mleage for its size/ class (regularly avg about 22mpg), tows our 3000lb camper without problem, Absolutely NO service issues in 31k miles.

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  What a great ride! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By CMAZZY - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I was not sold on the Aztek until I acutally drove it. Five minutes after that we were negotiating price. Once you get past the different styling of the car, you cant beat it. Best ride I ever had, plus the features are way too numerous to mention them all.

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  Aztek - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By ooteem - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Great car at a great price

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  No matter what they say! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Luis Orozco - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is an excellent vehicle, you need to drive it to believe it!.

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  Love My Aztek - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Andy Keeney - June 27 - 2:00 am

  This is without a doubt, the most fun car that I have owned. I am almost 60 and have owned everything from muscle cars to large vans and 1 ton pickups. This car is also the most versatile vehicle that we have ever owned. The folding rear seats and moveable cargo tray make it a great all around car for the family and animals. I hope Pontiac will get behind this vehicle and promote it as it deserves. I wish the press would get past the "unique" look of the Aztek and give it a fair review. Andy Keeney

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  You CAN fix ugly. - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By popeye2347 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Like most people the wife and I thought it was the most ugly car on the market in 2001. Fast forward to 2003. We needed a new car, and after much consideration the Aztek was one of the top contenders. One drive convinced us that this was the car for us. Using Edmunds.com we found a good used 2003 and are very satisfied with our Aztek. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

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  A Surprise To Me - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By buddyrtr - June 27 - 2:00 am

  As a diehard pickup driver, Im still surprised that I bought an Aztek, but Ive never regretted the choice. This is the most versatile vehicle Ive ever owned. I can haul a load of paneling, take my wife out to dinner, and go camping with the grandkids at the lake - all in the same vehicle. Ive driven it over 31K miles in 17 months and I still love the comfort, the great handling, the peppy performance, and the great gas mileage (I average about 23mpg in town and 29mpg on the highway).

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  Awesome - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By darklord752 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  It handles great. even though it is only a v6 it has great power. I love these cars.

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  Terrific Sport Utility Wagon (SUW) - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By doc science - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle came with few flaws in its build/design. Engine noise is greater than expected and there is vibration from engine revs that are felt accelerating, But,t does not deter me from loving this cars looks, handling, safety, comfort and fuel economy. I now have 3400 miles on it. City mpgs = 24- 25 & 33.8 highway. No way youll get the posted 29 mpgs in town. Interior is nice, seats give great back support on long rides and everything is "ergonomically correct". Visibility is very good. This vehicle is much roomier/bigger inside that one would imagine looking at it from the outside. I give this vehicle 2 thumbs up because it does it all.