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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  Great car and sad thats its gone - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Kenzie - April 8 - 9:30 pm

  My sunfire was the first car I ever got and I drove the crap out of it. It ran great and in the seven years I had it I replaced the fuel pump and breaks. The other day I got hit by a gravel truck and even with the low safety rating this car had me and my dog walked away from the accident fine. Im sad to see my sunfire go and it will be missed

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  What a ride! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Troy - April 7 - 10:33 am

  I love this car. The ride is smooth, yet powerful. The lines are sexy. Every where I drive, heads turn. The wind isnt bad at all with the top down.

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  Rough Ridin but gorgeous - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mut - April 5 - 6:13 pm

  This car is beautiful - crimson red. When I bought, there was a shake in the driving. Hubby thought it might be rotors or brakes. Nope. Wouldnt have bought it if Id known it wasnt those. I love the car, but really hate the annoying shake. Feels like an engine miss, but it isnt that either. Would love to find out what it is. Cant figure out how to get the stereo to show names of songs and singers again as it did when I got the car.

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  Powerful and Inexpensive - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Ian - April 5 - 3:40 am

  Reasonable handling on sharp curves, easy to steer during steady speeds however more effort is needed for steering during low speeds via coming in and out of a parking space. The ECOTEC is very powerful and is extremely quiet during idle and midrange speeds, however hard acceleration causes the engine to howl but not annoying. The automatic transmission handles well it revs/shifts quickly, the transmission itself is easy to “quick shift” via making a swift “K-turn,” it makes little to no mistakes when “finding” it’s gear when going uphill, however going uphill is a battle within it self. Overall it is worth the price. GM/Pontiac has done a superb job on the “tuner like” engine.

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  Great, fun car! - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Slash8915 - April 4 - 5:50 pm

  I bought my T/A in July of 07. I had to get a few things fixed and replaced, but thats because the previous owner didnt take care of it. I use only 93 octane gas from either Shell or Chevron, and only use Royal Purple oil. Since Ive gotten ahold of it, its run better than ever. I guess what Im trying to say is, just take care of it. Mine has Ram Air and some mods, and it dynod at 370hp. Even a stock T/A is fast! I get a ton of looks, and people trying to race me. I used to have an Integra, and I have to say... American muscle is the only way to go. If you get this car, you will not be disappointed.

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  Great Car, Great Deal - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Overjoyed - April 4 - 5:36 am

  I had been waiting for this to happen for some time. And it was worth it. I looked long and hard at the competition - Malibu, Accord, Altima, Camry, Sonata, Lucerne, etc. but this was the winner. I didnt buy it for the rear wheel drive, but for the size and style. It is very sporty looking, agressive even. The interior is clean, uncluttered, and straightforward. The switch gear location, designed to make the switch from right hand drive in Australia, to left hand drive in the US takes some getting used to, but it isnt too big a deal. I am extremely happy so far, and so glad to be ride of my 2002 Camry. This is a much more exciting car.

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  Fun Function - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By BW - April 3 - 8:56 pm

  My girlfriend got a promotion and now drives 140 kms each day in winter conditions. We were looking for something bigger and safer over her 99 Metro. Settled on the Vibe due to the standard Traction and Stability Control (which isnt standard on the Matrix twin). Functionality of the car is great with lots of space (moved four winter tires and lots of gear while moving). I find the 1.8L to be plenty of power and gives upper level fuel economy (about 41 MPG Canadian average). Interior isnt anything special but seats are quality and thats all you really need. Perfect car for combining economy, function and a little bit of driving fun.

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  Fast Good looking Fun but - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By George - April 3 - 7:50 pm

  I bought it new in sept 2001. It now has 65K miles on it. Power window motor repaired replaced 4 times. Turn signal stalk replaced. Blown intake manifold gasket replaced at 60K. Power seat broken 3 times and gave up having it fixed. Cost of repairs over 7 1/2 years is about 1500 which I guess isnt bad. Regular oil changes and 1 set of tires and brakes at 55K. I love the car but the darn 3.4s have a history of bad manifold gaskets. My 95 Grand Prix had same problem but no untillo 165K

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  Love driving again - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Pontiac Fan - April 3 - 11:16 am

  Believe the hype. This is a powerful and fun car to drive with comfort too. Thanks GM for bringing it to the states.

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  This is a great car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Cliff - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I didnt believe I would like to drive this vehicle, but I do! I used to drive a Jeep Cherokee and that consumed way too much money for gas. With the Vibe, Im filling the tank once a week when I used to being flling the Jeep every other day. This car looks great and handles well. I bought the base Vibe for fuel economy and its a little slower than what Im used to driving but its a very small flaw if I had to choose one.