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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  Love it! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jlripl - December 14 - 8:03 pm

  In 2003, I found a car I loved. A sporty red 4 door 2000 Grand Am GT. Test drove it and took it home, no problem. Three months later, it was totaled. Head on crash with an extended bed, extended cab half ton pick up truck. I refused to drive for the next three months until my dealer found me a 2001 Grand Am GT, just like my old one. I have absolutely adored this car. I wouldnt trade it for the world. I think I put so much faith in it because the older version got me through a horrible accident with only a broken arm. I have had very few problems, and would recommend it. Ive had it for four years, bought it with 47,000 and it now has 127,000. Runs great. Had one issue with the key.

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  Looks can be deceiving! - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Not Impressed - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks of this car, However we have had to replace a lot of "things" on this car, no tire rods were on the car, rackingppion has had to be replaced 4 times, cadlic converter had to be replaced, several items, list to long to mention, in my opinion Pontiac should recall the models from the year 2000, to many "little" problems that have had to be replaced! Also the interior dash panel has had to be replaced because of peeling around the gear shift, radio, etc.

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  Shop Around - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By marksviper - December 9 - 7:03 am

  I own a 350 z roadster and love it. But if you do the research most of the new so called hot rods only have a 4 cyclinders in them with only 5 gears no 6th gear. On the highway this is taxing on a engine. I, in a heartbeat, would have bought a Honda S2000 if it go to a 6c. Honda has won the last two indys!!! Drive them all before you buy. On the highway in last gear listen to that engine work Markviper

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  Another winner! - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mile High Guy - December 4 - 6:46 am

  My fourth Pontiac, and 3rd Grand Prix. My wife and I both love this car and are always arguing over who gets to drive it to work that day! With the cruise control, we get almost 35 MPG on the highway and have been getting around 23 in the city, but only because we are pretty light on the gas pedal in city traffic. Im 6-4 tall and comfortable in the drivers seat. Sound system was OK but we put in an after- market XM satellite receiver and in- dash CD. This car has some get-up-and- go when you need it. And its appearance is certainly a head-turner. All my friends who insisted I was making a mistake by buying yet another Pontiac are slowly eating their words after they drive it.

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  2009 Pontiac G6 Convertible - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By stkelly - December 3 - 4:30 pm

  Purchased new 2 months ago, 2 k miles so far, on dealer visit. Couple of small rattles that were easily cleared up. Other than that, lots of fun, best convertible that I have owned, quiet, looks great, decent performance.

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  GrannyVibes - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By beckys56 - November 30 - 12:06 am

  I have had no problems with the vibe. It gets great gas mileage on hwy 35- 36,in town average 29. Lots of room for my camping equipment and grandkids. Got a lewis and clark bag for the top when in travel mode, works great saves room in vehicle for other things. Do wish I had cruise control. Would suggest for people to purchase a vibe. Not really liking the new design, but as long as they didnt chg the mileage I could handle the new design. I have drove 70000 miles in 6yrs, I would drive my vibe any where if need be, handles great, even in snow. Change oil 3000 miles or 3mths,tires 1x a year and yearly check ups.

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  What a drop in value - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Ann - November 29 - 4:00 am

  We bought this car new and there is no way to get out of it because the value continues to dive each year. Had to have lots of little repairs under warranty. I like the roominess of the car in general. We have a yellow sport package (spoiler) and I honestly think its eye catching. I never have a problem spotting my car in the lots. Taking trips with this car has been easy. No major isssues with the engine after 60K

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  Excellent choice - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Siryj - November 27 - 6:26 pm

  I purchased my 03 G-A V6 from a Avis rental company over a year ago. I have not had 1 problem yet! The take off of this car is its best feature. From a light, be prepared to leave other cars in the dust if you press the gas down too hard.

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  oh that intake manifold leak - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By atpIOWA - November 26 - 7:43 pm

  First 70,000 miles were heaven, the most favorite vehicle we have owned. Great to drive, wonderfully comfortable on long trips with kids and dogs, dependable. Did have one event with the brakes not working one night but nobody ever found anything wrong, we may have boiled the fluid by having the parking brake on, which is easy to do on this van. First major problems were the seat belt-airbag interlock going (very expensive), then the manifold leak that caused loss of heat in the winter-$500, now the wiring harness is corroded and they want to replace it and the airbag! My wife, an original Mini driver, still loves driving it, but with the kids almost grown, it may be time to move it on.

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  Wheel Bearings Again? - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Dave - November 24 - 1:46 am

  Bought the torrent because its American made. Have all my 26 years of driving. But this torrent has been fixed 5 times for all of the wheel bearings. Ignition cylinder as well. Bought brand new tires at 55k, had loud vibrating sound coming from front and back, thought it was the bad tires. Not. The rear wheel bearings are once again going bad! Gm builds a quality product, but they need to concentrate on their brakes. This gm vehicle is really getting me down. Good thing I purchased a 100k warranty!