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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  Fun to Drive - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By bobandsherry - March 14 - 10:23 pm

  Wife wanted a convertible, moving from Infiniti G35 coupe. She wanted hard top so that really limited selection. No, the G6 isnt a G35, but it also costs about 30-35% less. That said, the G6 is still plenty car to get person from point A to point B with plenty of pick-up and go. In Midwest, being able to drive in snow is even more a necessity than dropping the top in summer, G6 handles GREAT in snow with stock tires. G6 is sporty, functional and fun to drive - cant wait for summer. No problems.

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  2004 Pontiac Sunfire - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By pepsigirl - March 14 - 1:46 pm

  I love this car, I have loved it since I test drove it. I have been getting 32-36 MPG, and NEVER have any problems. I work in a position that requires me to take call at all hours of the day and night, I need a 4 wheel drive now since the snowplows go nite- nite at 8 pm. Cd player, clean, no rust, lots of power, even on the steepest hills. Forest green, (this car is sharp to look at and fun to drive).

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  intake problems - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By robb - March 12 - 1:36 pm

  the vehicle has been a great car. the only problem is the intake manifold. issues of cracks, i had the problem at 54k miles and pontiac did help out. i was a second owner and they stood behind the product i was happy for that.

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  Awesome Car!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Diana - March 11 - 5:50 pm

  I truly love this car. From being from NJ it was fun to be one of the only G6 Coupe from my area. Everywhere I go I always get compliments! I simply love this car!

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  Happy with my purchase - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Brian R - March 11 - 12:20 pm

  The car is good looking, fun to drive, and gets really good gas mileage. Cant speak for the reliability (because Ive only owned it for a month) but Im optimistic. The cupholders are inconvenient. Overall, the car is roomy, comfortable, fast, fun, and a good buy!

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  GREAT VIBES! - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By love_my_hannah - March 10 - 10:00 am

  WONDERFUL VEHICLE! I test drove and test drove vehicles! This was my fav. Super fun to drive! Cute and I get 36 mpg better than the 34 on the sticker. Very comfortable and roomy. Has some cute options also! I love the moons and tunes and power package! Its a must!

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  More car than what you expect! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tacmedsolutions - March 10 - 10:00 am

  I really like this car. This is the first Pontiac I have ever owned - and it has been fantastic! I have owned a wide range of cars, trucks and suvs and I must say this is just as fun, just as comfortable and in my opinion just as well built as my Mercedes. I have put just over 11000 miles on it - and have pushed the little v6 and the cars abilities as far as I would dare - and found that performance and handling was great. Only problem Ive had has been a little section of the trunk weather strip which wants to fall off.

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  high tech - 4 dr rocket ship - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By s nemeth jr - March 6 - 3:40 am

  have about 5k miles on it now.no squeaks,rattles or faults.try to find that in a new car today !.if you start to compare -you will see that the g-6 has things to share with the new 05 cadillac sts ! no power steering pump drive by wire throttle .high tech bladeless wiper sytem. remote start,thought would not use it but i do every day ,great way to col down inside car in this hot sarasota ,fl days one of the best cars i have owned better than my 01 olds aurora priced at $34,500. this car was $21.530 .

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  great sports car - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By r.rudiger - March 5 - 1:16 pm

  This car is fun to drive!! I had a 60 vet. when I was younger.This car reminds me of those great times.Only had it about 2 weeks,so not sure of the fuel economy, but who cares. Highly recommended.

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  Solid, Reliable, Affordable - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Morris N - March 3 - 3:13 pm

  Weve had our Vibe for 5 years, and my wife drives it primarily around to & from work. The AWD is marvelous in the winter on packed snow & ice; much better than simply a front wheel drive vehicle. Mechanically, its solid. Interior is adequate for 4 adults, or 2 adults & 3 kids. Im 62" and I have plenty of headroom and leg room. The 4 cylinder engine has to work going up hills when in cruise, but the transmission shifts down and maintains speed. Still, I cant complain when we still get 25-28 mpg on the road with an AWD. Its a great package for the price, especially if you do winter driving.