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:

• 

  bad bad bad - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By burky - October 3 - 8:20 am

  Well previous to this hunk of crap we had a 2001 Chevrolet venture, which was a wonderful van! This van is awful!!! it has been nothing but problems to me and my family including door panels coming off, fuel pump problems, tons of squeaks, strut problems, radio replaced twice, a lot of electrical problems, seats STAINING BADLY, and NO rear leg room!!! I HATE THIS VAN!!

• 

  This will be my last GM vechile - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By variety - September 8 - 6:21 am

  We loved the looks of this car and for the first year it was a solid car. After that it has been all down hill. We have now replaced all four wheel bearings and it the paint started flaking off around 50k. We now have a large spot on the driver side and on the tailgate. Our dealer told us this was not covered under the supplimental rust protectant we got because it was an issue with the paint.

• 

  This Car is Junk - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DoNotBuy - September 3 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car and it only had 12,000 miles on it. At 19,000 miles the automatic transmission went out and had to be replaced at MY COST ($3,000)! Then the alternater was replaced (Twice), both window motors had to be replaced, two front hub assembiles, the left CV joint twice, the right CV joint once, and it eats brakes like crazy (replaced 4 times just this year). I do not drive my car hard nor do I neglect it. I loved this car at first and now it is nothing but a headache. DO NOT BUY GRAND AMs they will live you in ruins!

• 

  Never again - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By Tired of GM - August 11 - 6:16 am

  This is the 2nd Montana I have owned and it has been a headache from the start. Examples are, brakes locked up making vehicle undrivable, replaced fuel injectors, replaced load leveler shocks and pump twice, power windows on both sides stopped working. Power side door wont stay closed, auto locks do not operate on side doors, lights on steering wheel quit working, outside temp readout says 20 degrees in the summer, intake manifold leaks, tailgate latch no longer works. After contacting Pontiac about all the problems I have had they told me I didnt qualify for a loyal customer discount on my next purchase even though this was my 6th Pontiac purchased. The quality of this car is a joke.

• 

  P.O.S. - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cromag - July 19 - 2:00 am

  Paint came off the 2 side panels between windows. The same noisy brakes that everyone talks about. The battery leaked and died. The rear view mirror fell off. The rubber stripping on both doors is severly warped. The Cd player rarely works. The volume control on the steering wheel no longer works. Headlamp assembly had to be replaced from taking in too much moisture. It shorted out the bulb. $375 (out of warranty)If Im parked and my front end is higher then the rear, the car takes in water. Drivers side window regulator replaced.$575 (o.o.w.) The car only has 37,400 miles on it and Im currently shopping for something else.

• 

  Never again GM - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Ger - July 18 - 7:40 am

  Bought this car NEW and found out it had over 500 miles on it. Major problems with front end, alternator, brakes, rear wiper. Then had a total engine failure 750 KM from home. Two days after paying for $1900 to service it) GM paid for a rebuilt( at 50,000 KM) engine but is refusing to pay for a rental car as we stayed a few nights with relatives while waiting for the local dealership open over a long weekend.

• 

  What were they thinking? - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By S. Brooks - July 14 - 2:03 pm

  From the beginning, we thought we were purchasing the best mini-van on the market in looks, reliability, and performance. Okay, we got the looks but what were they thinking with the realiability adn performance? We have been back to the dealership several times. No, we didnt purchase the extended warranty on the used vehicle but who would have thought we would need to with an American made vehicle? Wheres the American pride? Weve had numerous inconvenient problems such as power windows not working, electronic sliding door opening while going down the road, gas gauge not working, cup holders breaking easily, directional not working, coolant problems -- so far over $2,000 in costs plus!

• 

  Nothing But Trouble - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Matthew Oliver - July 8 - 1:16 pm

  Everyone in my area that has a G5 has the same trouble.My car has 40000kms and I t has been back for strut boots,linkage kits in front end twice,brake trouble which they cant seem to figure out what is causing it,heater blower motor twice,door strikers on both sides,manual transmission shifter trouble,control arm bushings,Electric motor coil(which was only fixed for a couple of days now causing trouble again)radio and signal lights come on and off on their own(no one seems to know why)overall I would recommend to stay away from it.I was told by the dealership that the G6 has the same troubles so stay away from that too.My father has a 2000 Mazda Protege brought new and never had a hitch yet.

• 

  Cute car... Not reliable - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By srb - July 3 - 11:10 am

  I purchased this car new 6/2007. I didnt even have it 24 hours and the convertible broke. 6 months later the rear and front main oil seal was leaking, the paint was flaking, the steering shaft was popping.

• 

  Only OK so far - 2010 Pontiac Vibe
  By Joey S - July 2 - 8:03 am

  Ive had this now less than a week. Purchased with a clunker trade in and GM card points. Never would have picked a GM car otherwise. Im taking a lot of abuse at work for its ugly exterior styling. Im experiencing the same issue others have mentioned with the tranny in that it down shifts as soon as you let your foot of the gas. Also with only 140 miles the paint has chipped and is rusted. Nice huh? Well see what the dealer says but Im not optimistic. I wont do GM again. Iderad having to deal with the service department.