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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  This car almost killed my wife twice - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By mannheimer6 - April 15 - 1:53 am

  Twice now, unexplained and unfixable shut downs from 70 to 0 MPH in the middle of I-75 and I-4 respectively. We were told loose connector at B+ bulkhead terminal for fatal flaw excuse number 1. Now it is an overheating fuel pump module for fatal flaw excuse number 2. Letters to CEO GM sent. Car is now 2.5 hours away after Onstar recovered it. No matter what I am told about this car, we shall never trust it again, nor drive it again, and as far as we are concerned it can rot where it is, or I can park it right through the windows of a GM dealership and walk away. We are done with GM. Forever. DO NOT BUY HERE.

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  4th firebird Love those F-bodies - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By alysinwunderland - April 14 - 2:00 am

  I buy at least 1 used Fbody Pontiac Firebird/TA every year! I love them. I have had 3 other 1994-1997 Firebird/TAs. They have been reliable fun to drive vehicles that keep their value pretty well. This is the body syle I love. The sloped front end is more attractive than the new style. I get comments on the car almost everyday...sometimes even offers to buy it. I recommend this for young people and the young at heart.

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  Fun Car!! - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By B4May - April 13 - 5:30 pm

  I have been driving this car for 6 years and I still love it as much as I did the day I got it. Rides a little rough, but its a sports car after all. Love the steering wheel radio controls - Im forever spoiled and will never drive a car without them. Also love the great orange dash lighting. T-tops are very fun, but I dont use them as often as I could because they are kind of a pain - manual removal and have to store them in the trunk, so it must be empty to do so. I have had problems with the spark plugs - mechanics complain because they are difficult to change. Back seat is small - but again, its a sports car, so you dont buy it for hauling people or cargo. Super fun to drive!!

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  It only gets better - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Rod - April 12 - 4:20 am

  Am going on 5 months with my G8 GT experience. There are minor flaws I have found if you can call them flaws. The most exciting one is that when you step on the gas in anyway less than very gentle it responds like a startled cat, it flat jumps and screams for red line. I have also noticed that once I shift into sports mode or manual mode and stand on the throttle, the car changes from a docile car to a beast, and seems to stay that way till I shut it off and drive it again. It may be a glitch in my G8s computer. I will not go get this if it is a glitch.. I love it. This car loves to be driven. If you love driving you will love this car. It rocks!

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  First Impressions - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By jonnyoz13 - April 11 - 7:33 pm

  Have owned this used Bonneville a little under 2 months. Some notes: Fuel Economy; around 27 average in mostly hwy driving, not bad. Comfort; very nice ride, front seats could use additional bolstering in the thigh area. Performance; very good, accelerates nicely when pushed. Accomodations; huge trunk, back seat roomy-head clearance ok even with sunroof, heat/ac with dual climate works nice (although fan runs at same speed for both sides, just temp difference. Annoyances; data computer seems off- gallons used short about 1 gallon out of 17 which shows misleading fuel economy-miles to empty-etc, oil life monitor at 67% after 3300 miles? Conclusion; great family cruiser, 9/10 stars

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  new Solstice - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By jj - April 11 - 1:53 am

  I have had many sports cars including three Vetts, MGs, Nissans and many more but this car I bought for my wife is a great and fun car to drive! Move over, wife, I want to drive and my other car is a Lexus which I also love. We both love this car and it handles like a dream with 19" eagle low wide profile tires-hugs on turns like no car (not even my Harley) I have owned. I feel like a kid again!

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  Great Car For The Money - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jagbaby06 - April 11 - 1:50 am

  This a very good car. First of all it has some very old school 1960s era styling cues such as astro vent balls as A/C vents and that classic Pontiac grille. The 2.2L Ecotech engine rated at 140hp at 5,600rpm and 150lbs-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm delivers decent power in the upper rpm range and good power in town. I put it up to 107mph while rushing my wife to the hospital and it never acted funny and still had half pedal. I have no idea where the governor is set at. The drivers window control came loose at 69,000 miles but nothing super glue couldnt fix. It has a problem throwing Service Engine Soon lights if the gas cap isnt turned at least 3 clicks. The 4 speed auto slush box wanders sometimes.

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  Transmission #3 - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By looked good - April 9 - 10:16 pm

  Bought this car because of the reputation of the engine and the gas mileage. It also looks fantastic. My only complaint is that I recently installed transmission #3. The original tranny was replaced at 55000, and now at 120000 I am replacing that one ($2600). The transmission shop said that these "Bonnies" have a weak tranny.

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  2009 Pontiac G8 4dr Sedan ( 3.6 6cyl ) - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Chris - April 9 - 8:40 am

  Two Thumbs up!! Have owned several luxury cars before. ( BMW 300 series as well as a Lexus ) The Pontiac G8 Rules! One of the quietest cars that I have ever been. G8 also in the V6 has some " Get up and go" power! I have gotten so many compliments on this car.

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  1999 4dr Grand Prix GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 911computerguy - April 9 - 12:10 am

  This is the second Grand Prix which I have owned. The first being a 98 2dr GT. Performance is better than most V6s and rivals some V8s as well as being a very reliable car. Another thing I love about the car is low insurance rates. I would highly recommend this car to anyone, young or old, who is looking for a car that is both practical and exciting. PS: The specs for the 99 4dr GT on edmunds.com are wrong the torque is 225 just like any other model with the same engine.