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:

• 

  Fun and Reliable - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By RedMersady - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Ive had my Sunfire Convertibel for 4 years and have loved it every minute. It has alot of pep for a 2.4 ltr engine. It looks like a much more expensive sports car...definitely doesnt look like any other compact car Ive ever seen. Id definitely recommend it!

• 

  Love my vibe! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Sara - April 26 - 1:00 am

  Just got my new Fusion Orange Vibe and I LOVE it. Almost bought at Matrix, dealer got a little nasty when we said we were going to look at the Vibe. Saw my baby on the Lot and I was hooked, got a great deal with the moons & toons and on-star package already in car. Didnt think I cared about the moon roof but now I love it. Smooth drive, seems to get great mileage, love the wide front window, great viewing area (compared to my old Jimmy). Just FUN to drive at 52 years old, feel like a kid with my first car!!

• 

  Worth The Value! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Wild Cherry - April 25 - 2:40 pm

  This car is very well built. We drove the Nissan Altima also. The G6 drove better, was quieter, and quality of workmanship was much better. This car is well worth the money

• 

  Bang for your buck - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Capt. Gary - April 23 - 2:00 am

  For the money, there are few cars in the WORLD which look, handle, and perform like a T/A! GM put most everything into the LS1 and the BW 6- speed tranny. I have the traction control which I leave on! I must be doing something right for at 25K miles, theres tread on the tires and I have never had a SINGLE problem. This car is excellent for eating asphalt. Ive had it in 6th on the highway and its just like an automatic. At 70 mph on cruise (EXCEPT "just accelerating to pass..."), I get over 25 mpg. These cars are a STEAL as used cars! Right now, you can pick one up for less than KBB trade. I plan to keep driving either a T/A or SS as long as I can find them! THESE cars are great!

• 

  Love my vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Nervisnel - April 22 - 8:10 pm

  I love my 2005 AWD VIBE> I have never has a car that I loved as much as this one. Everything about it is perfect... Comfort. handling, gas milage. I have 700 miles on her now and just gets better every mile. I love the dash , seats. Well as I said. EVERYTHING>..

• 

  Wash and Wear - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By docta96 - April 22 - 7:23 am

  We have had a variety of AWD continuously since 1974 and this represents the best combination of all. It is an outstanding blend of economy, comfort, utility and reliability. We often drive long distances in inclement weather and the AWD Vibe handles everything exceptionally well and without drama or failure while allowing us to always arrive on time. This is my wifes favorite vehicle and she cares for it assiduously. I have recommended it to many others, along with the Matrix twin.

• 

  My fast, fun purple goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By patty - April 21 - 3:53 am

  I love my GTO. It is fun and I feel very safe in it. It is a head turner and a get way to start a conversation with other fast car lovers.

• 

  Cool Ride! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Wild Bill - April 20 - 6:23 pm

  Ive had my Solstice one month today and I have over 2100 miles on the odometer. The best 2100 miles Ive ever driven. I love my car, all my friends love my car and my wife likes my car. Im also meeting a lot of new people because of my car. This car does not drive like you would expect a small car to drive. The stability is great and it sure does hold those curves. There is not much trunk storage space but who cares! I just love to drive those back roads and stay off the freeways. I thought that it would bother me to have to drive my new car so much but Im having trouble staying out of it! I look forward to those warm, sunny winter days so that I can put the top down and cruise!

• 

  2009 Pontiac Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By mshuell - April 19 - 5:06 am

  Our 2009 Vibe now has 8000 miles. It has been perfect in every way. For a small engine, it scoots right along. At 75 mph on the highway its as smooth as glass. The car gets great gas mileage. 32 mpg in mixed driving and 35 mpg on the highway. I definitely bought the right car.

• 

  More than Meets the Eye! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Samurai - April 16 - 2:43 pm

  The biggest bang for your buck! A refined machine that is easily underestimated. The exterior is sweet and the interior great. The interior design is made for the driver (that is the purpose of driving, right). I hate how the imports overly centralize the dials and in some cases the gauges right in the middle of the car. The interior is simple and not over done like the imports. Their designs tend to be a lot busier. The power is just right, handling great.