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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  Good car for a first time buyer - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Matt - May 13 - 7:40 pm

  Ive had my sunfire for about six months now and have enjoyed it. I used to have an Alero and I like this much better. The burnt orange color gets comments all the time and tinting the windows adds to a sweet look. The fuel economy is amazing; Ive gone about two weeks without fueling up! And thats with a car starter that I let run for a few minutes before I leave!

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  I didnt expect this! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Willhbauto - May 13 - 4:36 am

  I really didnt expect such a great vehicle. Ive been a high volume fleet and internet manager for my Pontiac dealer for a long time, but honestly I never thought Id personally buy a G6, but it came time to buy a house and I wanted room in the budget, so I got rid of my loaded up Sierra truck and got this G6. It is a great riding car, great build quality, powerful, I am really surprised. Ive had Pontiacs in the past and never cared for them. I think theyve stepped up a notch and are a great value. I highly recommend the G6 if you want a great vehicle for your money

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  "Cool" Head Turner - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By tutle - May 12 - 8:00 pm

  We have had our Solstice for 6 months and it always turns heads. We love the 2 tone interior and the silver color is aptly named Cool. I put the top up last night for the first time since July 4 and plan on covering it for the winter when the weather breaks. Our daughter got married this year and we almost did not buy the car - boy are we glad we did! Everywhere we go it turns heads. We have had older Corvettes and it is so nice to have everything new and working. The car handles wonderfully and the fact that storage is very limited is no big deal as we got it for nice days and making memories. We love the car and plan on keeping it indefinitely!

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  Pontiac Has It Right - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By NC - May 12 - 8:00 pm

  I almost did not look at this car because of the Edmunds review. Happy C&D got it right. What a pleasure the first month of my black GXP experience has been. Great engine & exhaust note Great Trans (Tap shift is allot of fun) Great brakes (cant get them to fade. Excellent handling for a FWD. Understeer is safer for the average driver. Fit, Finish, all the extras, big truck, room for the kids. All a big plus. best part- LESS THEN $28K Already have embarrassed a few imports costing much much more. JOB WELL DONE PONTIAC.

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  Less Than Happy - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By LESS THAN HAPPY - May 12 - 5:33 pm

  I find it difficult to give this car much of a rating. I take my dog with me most everywhere I go, so I decided on the Vibe based on its size and practicality. I am very disappointed. This is by far the noisiest vehicle I have every owned! I find myself checking the windows to see if I left one of them open. There seems to be no sound deadening insulation in this vehicle at all. This makes long trips very tedious - and also makes listening to music impossible. Also, the AWD model should be available with a manual transmission - the automatic doesnt allow you to coast freely - its always holding you back causing you to play with the accelerator to hold a constant speed.

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  Pontiact: Say it aint so! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By jjg - May 12 - 1:46 am

  This car snaps. Its tight and comfortable. One does not know what it has to offer until one drives it. It is fun and fast, and unassuming: No one knows what it it until it roars in speed if not sound! The premium sports model keeps one interested; and OH! How I love the DIC, in all its guises. Please transfer this gem to chev It is different enough from the crouched, sporty Camero to deserve a life of its own. If it goes to Buick, expect it to be 4or 5K more expensive. Perhaps, it needs its own,new brand! Dont let this baby archive. GM would be absolutely insane.

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  Love this vibe! - 2008 Pontiac Vibe
  By CR - May 11 - 11:12 pm

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  1.8L Auto (STYLE CHOICE NOT AVAIL ABOVE) - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Bob S. - May 11 - 9:06 am

  Drives much better than the Cobalt I traded in for it. Some have mentioned blind spot but I think its much easier to see out of than the Cobalt.

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  rmk - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By rklister - May 10 - 3:00 pm

  The car has perfromed without problem in all types of weather from sub-zero to the heat of the summer. Never a problemin starting or operating.

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  most fun ever - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By theunbound1 - May 10 - 10:00 am

  this car is great...i love everything about it..never had a problem. everything is positioned where is should be, the interior is pretty and functional..supports extra large fast food drink cups..sun roof works great. radio is friggn fantastic..you dont need to do anything to this car. plenty powerfull engine sounds as good as it performs.