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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  Wonderful Automobile! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Andrew G - June 28 - 2:50 pm

  I went to the dealer to purchase a G6 GT sedan after looking at many other mid-sized vehicles. While waiting for the sales person, my wife and I looked at a G8 sedan parked on the lot. One test drive later, we were driving it home. I purchased this car for work (sales) where I drive hundreds of miles daily. With all of the freeway work being done and a particularly harsh winter, the roads are brutal but the G8 does a nice job of smoothing out the bumps without sacrificing a tight, controlled ride and excellent handling. Plus, my clients, many of them 6+, are very comfortable in the back seat. The styling is also very sporty without looking "boy-racer"- ish. Nice job, Pontiac!

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  5 years old and no out of pocket repairs - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Garch - June 28 - 10:00 am

  We bought our 7 passenger Transport with the Montana package 10/98 for family vacations. We have had no unexpected repairs, but it has been recalled twice. We maintain it by the book. After 3 trips from the midwest to Orlando and numerous 1000 mile, or more, trips we are still confident in the van. We just used an Expedition for a trip with 8 people to San Antonio. It was a surprise that the Pontiac has more driver, passenger and cargo room than the SUV (not to mention 7 mpg better economy and half the insurance costs). We will either replace the present Minivan with another or perhaps a Yukon XL. But will not even consider the cramped Expedition.

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  99 montana - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By dorijo - June 28 - 10:00 am

  we love to drive our montana, but at 32,000 had engine replaced ..had brake problems front and rear replaced rear cyclinders and now need master cyclinder..rear brake light cracked leaking water into trunk. pass.seat gear is broken .wont stay up..they want $420 to fix it..just replaced tires at 48,000 miles..resale value is poor for a $30,000 vehicle.

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  I LOVE MY CAR - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By OMG - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is the third Firebird Ive ordered. Two Formulas and now a WS6 Trans Am. All of them Black. All of them 6-speeds. This car is SO bad. Power/fun/adrenaline/class! Its my baby and I love it!! Its spotless and looks brand new. Sounds awesome with just the back seat down and a Holley Power Shot air filter! I CANT BELIEVE THEY QUIT MAKING THEM! What will I do????

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  Great all around car. - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By wolf-force - June 28 - 10:00 am

  This is a great car! Not only does it look sharp, it drives as smooth as my last car;(a honda civic). They have a great selection of different colors. I got red lava. I get alot of complements on my car. The gas milage is pretty good too. It drives like a car but you sit up higher like in an suv. The only thing I would like changed is the windshield sun visor. The visor only comes down about 1/3 of the windshield. When I drive in the morning the sun comes strait in and I cant block out the sun. I just put my sun glasses on and Im ok. I have only had it for a short time, so we will see about the reliability later. Go test drive one Its fun to drive.

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  Pontiac Out did Themselves - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RickE41 - June 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car as a demo with 750 miles on the odometer. My first major roadtrip was from Detroit to Rochester MN. The car handled magnificantly on both Highway and backroad driving. Acceleration was superb and it was so much fun using the Tap Shift manual shifting around some of those corners in MN. Great car!!!

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  Spacious, Comfortable, Fun to Drive, Good Value - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By aldwis25 - June 28 - 8:23 am

  Bought used at 5K mi., has +97K mi. now. Overall reliable, comfortable, smooth ride, fun to drive. Get about 17 city/24 hwy mpg. Pros: Very spacious front/rear seating and cargo space; comfortable; reliable; smooth ride for low-price basic crossover class (broad wheel base). Cons: Replaced heating/A/C actuator motor at 53K (+$900 repair) but was GM recall later - contacted dealer, reimbursed same day; replaced wheel bearings at 75K; replaced bolts on exhaust at 86K (apparently common problem on Torrent and Equinox - made exhaust loud - easy $20 fix); slow pick-up at acceleration; odd window controls placement (all in front seat center console).

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  Fun to drive! Not fun to maintain! - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Car Junkie 2010 - June 28 - 8:03 am

  This car is very fun to drive and is great if youre looking for some fun, but I hope you have money to stick into it. The power windows are junk. Had to replace muffler, needed new brake pads, blinkers wig out on me. Many little things that come with age. With all that being said, very fun to drive.

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  Seems better than I expected - 2009 Pontiac G3
  By Dave - June 26 - 11:20 pm

  Just purchased with clunker deal. With all discounts ; clunker, GM , card and other discounts, bought $18,000 car for $8,000 plus Tax and Title. Just wanted a bridge car to hold me until all the Electric ,Hybrid and other new innovations come to market, but am pleasantly surprised. This a neat ,fun to drive little car.

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  I cant win! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Dave Szigety - June 26 - 9:20 am

  If this car were only reliable, it would be a dream. Problem is, every couple months something breaks and its never anything cheap! Two manifold gaskets in 3 years, new A/C condenser last year is leaking again already, the C/D radio fried itself and now the the hydraulic lifts on the rear hatch have gone with no warning! I have always treated this car right (maintenance, oil changes, etc.) and following the wisdom of the Car Guys on NPR, Ive always driven it like my mother-in-law was sitting beside me. This is my third Pontiac in a row and each has been worse. Id still be driving my 92 Grand Prix if it hadnt been totalled! Goodbye Pontiac, goodby GM...period end!