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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  2000 Pontiac 4Dr Grand Am - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Punisher - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This car has been very good to me and I no plans of getting rid of it. 16000+ miles a year. Regular maintenance.

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  Love the car/ditch the dash lights - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Kennndoll - February 1 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned overall; rides nice and solid, 30-32 mpg highway. Other than a brake rotor problem during warranty period, Ive had nothing done to it except scheduled maintenance in 50,000+ miles of driving. Only problem is an annoying shimmy at 70mph which started in front and went to the rear after I rotated the tires, so its either a bum tire or a wheel hole off center. This is a lot of car for the money. My only beef is with those annoying red dash lights that can only have been designed by someone under 40; too hard on older eyes!

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  Pontiac Vibe FWD - Auto - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By SteveinNY - February 1 - 10:00 am

  A perfect suburban commuter. Excellent seating for 4 adults in an upright (back friendly) position. The build quality on my vehicle is supurb...no defects after 8K miles other than a storage compartment latch. Drive train is smooth and the shifting precise. Gas mileage is 32mgp in suburban driving more on the highway. The car is solid all the way around and handles well in all driving conditions.

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  Not even 45 days - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By me - January 29 - 2:06 am

  I bought this used car about a month ago and have had nothing but problems. The car have been more in the dealerships presents than mine. Ive had 4 speed senors & fuel injectors put in, a new dash cluster which part of the lighting is burned out, a new radiator not to mention the master switch for the windows doesnt work, nor does the passenger mirror & driver side seat warmer. Hear comes the big one the engine is finished, over. But I love the car, what it stays for if that makes any sense. Otherwise, the car runs very well much power.

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  Test Drive - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By CloudRider9 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  Since Im looking around for the best driving,looking and overall performance; I test drove the 2003 Pontiac Sunfire to see how it stacked up to the rest of the cars that I was seriously thinking of buying.

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  Good car for little cost - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By mjswan - January 26 - 10:50 am

  Bought mine used for a song. Perfect car for commuting 25 miles with mostly LA freeway traffic. Gas mileage is very good if you drive reasonably. In the first year I put on 35,000 miles and hav no complaints about quality or drivability. My wife thinks it looks better than most of the smaller sedans on the road--it doesnt look like everything else out there. Overall a very underrated car.

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  I must have a lemon - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Disappointed - January 24 - 12:13 pm

  Have owned GM vechicles for 25 years, so I bought a new SV6 in Jan 06. I started having problems within one week of purchase. Have had it for 17 months. So far has had new alternator, ignition switch, front hub, new radio, sliding door locks, many new wires, rear door handle broke on first cold day, cup holder replaced, OnStar antennae fixed, many electrical adjustments, too numerous to remember. Still only 50,000 kms and troubles still happening- a real lemon. Had difficulty finding 17 inch winter tires when purchased.

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  WS-6 Ram AIr - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By Lard - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Truely the most bang-for-your-buck performance car youll find...especially the WS-6 Ram Air! This car has it all; power, style, personality, and heritage. There is NOTHING like getting behind the wheel of a 4th generation Trans Am! This car is not for those who dont want to get noticed, nor the timid. I was surprised to find out it even gets pretty good gas mileage....considering the 5.7 liter V8! I get 19 MPG city. Not the best in wet/snowy/icy conditions so watch the back end. Buy one while you can still find one.

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  Good "Fun" Car - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dmon - January 24 - 2:00 am

  Overall a very fun car to drive, I have a few problems with the suspension "popping" when turning or going over bumps. Uppon taking it to the dealership I was informed that it was just body "creaks", and nothing could be done to repair problem. It was sad to be told that I spent $22,000 on a car that creaks. Engine continually revs when cold, even for 20 min or more untill it reaches 200 degrees, seariously cuts mpg.

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  Is this really a Pontiac ? - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Andrew - January 21 - 7:10 am

  I still cant believe this is a Pontiac - I guess GM finally got it right. The quality is almost BMW, the performance is better than the 5 series, and the cost is amazing for a new V8. I got a "deal" via the GM employee pricing, but wouldve been nice if the dealer negotiated - they wouldnt budge a dollar, insisting that GM wont let them. Regardless, Im so far very happy w/ my purchase - I just cant get use to peoples reactions when they its a Pontiac! lol