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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  So far So good - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By new car owner - August 8 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with the notion that GM products suck. But I couldnt pass the deal that I could get on this vehicle. I like the car a lot and have had no problems so far. The only concern I do have is on Fuel economy. The sticker says 19/29. So far it has been about 16.5 city and 24 hwy. Not what I was expecting.

• 

  been a pretty good car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By shadetreemechanic - August 6 - 1:50 pm

  Bought vehicle @50k repair trans pressure solenoid @75k change plugs, wires, hoses, battery, tires, front wheel bearings @100k replace water in headlamps @110k change coolant and trans fluid @125k ac leak @145k squirrel cage fan squeal @150k lower intake manifold and valve covers @160k replace front brakes every 25k and rear every 50k change oil every 6k change air filter every 12k car has been maintained pretty well, and has performed acceptable. I have enjoyed the car, but am getting tired of it. The car now has significant squeak and rattle and the exterior is showing signs of rust. I will drive the vehicle until the next transmission failure, which I anticipate at 200k.

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  GREAT CAR have had 1 big problem - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gmforever - August 5 - 6:03 pm

  i love the car to death i really do. great car and it does get attention even without doing mods or anything major to it. i got the car back in SEPT 2011 as a birthday gift from me to myself. 1 month after i got the car the number 5 valve bolt popped out and we had to rethread the hole which was a pain.but ever since i have had nothing at all just minor problems. headlights were too fogged over couldnt even get it cleaned up enough to make them look good or even improve driving at night. so brought new ones and thats really it. if anyone has had this problem tho please POST because seems im the only one so far with it thanks

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  Still Impressed - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By JB29MD - August 5 - 3:26 pm

  I purchased my G5 (Manual Trans.) in September of 06. 6 months later, I am still impressed. The fuel economy is outstanding. All of my miles are interstate/highway miles, and tank after tank I average 34-36 mpg. The pickup is sweet. Turns are remarkably easy and U turns still make me smile. Great car for the money.

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  not a bad ride - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By someonebehindyou - August 3 - 2:00 am

  Not a bad car. Has 93000 miles and only things replaced have been alternator at about 80000 (seems a lot of them have this replaced) and wheel speed sensor at 37000 miles. Dash squeaks are annoying, but are hardly noticeable after driving for a while. Engine hasnt been touched, except for oil changes, and runs like is brand new.

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  What a shame - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By vegassam66 - August 2 - 2:33 am

  Just bought my first American car in 25 years and I come to find that GM is killing it. No wonder they are bankrupt. GM listen to your customers not the bean counters. I have just bought mine three days ago and an in love with it. The performace for the dollar is second to none, and I dont mind driving in rush hour traffic.

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  So far, very good. - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By syvmj - July 29 - 10:00 am

  Runs strong for a non-GTP GranPrix. Some interior build miscues but good paint and great styling. Long drives can be a bit uncomfortable especially in the back seat.

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  Mid Life Dream Car - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jammerman - July 28 - 5:03 am

  Saw the Grand Prix GT at Auto Show, loved the sportiness, but didnt buy - boy am I glad! When GM offered the employee pricing, discovered Pontiac had released a more sporty, upscale GXP - basically a GT with the V8 and all the sporty options (mags, chrome highlights, etc.) with the slightly lowered profile, this car screams speed! Everyone on my friends are green with envy. Nice throatty growl, instrument cluster well placed. TAP shifter makes it a fun cruiser.

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  Love and Hate - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Cumberland, Md - July 23 - 10:00 am

  The Bonneville has the most comfortable seats of any car I ever owned. It has been a perfect car for me....until it came time to repair it. I had two major repairs under warranty and after out of warranty, I have has substantial repair bills. Now they tell me the transmission is on the way out. Repairing this car is too expensive! This could have been a great car if it didnt need so much work on it. The mechanical integrety is bad.

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  have enjoyed this car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By fungirlok - July 23 - 10:00 am

  This was my first brand new car, and it has been reliable and very fun to drive. Had 4 years, with 50K miles, havent had many problems. Got my first bad suprise when I had to replace a tire, almost 160 for one! My fuel filter and pump went out, left me on the road on Thanksgiving, $800 repair!, advice, replace the fuel filter every year, this is not listed in the manual. Also, what is up with the brakes? Mine make noise, especially when it is humid. Also my pads are warped because GM used cheap brakes for production. Hibdon says they are fine, but I still have to put up with the noise.