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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  ok - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By cntrygrl - January 31 - 10:00 am

  Watch for the roofs may leak And paint may pill. Overall great car

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  New 2009 GXP - 2009 Pontiac Solstice
  By passkey - January 29 - 6:56 am

  This car had only 2,600 miles on it when we picked it up in Florida two weeks ago. We drove it back 1,300 miles to upstate NY. Fun experience is at the top. Seats are comfortable but soft top noisey on the road. No storage to speak of but, we brought our supplies in duffle bags. Suitcases are out of the question. Some items can be place behind the seats but only with seats slid forward. 27.2 mpg driving highways and speed limits. Small gas tank (13gals.). The turbo engine is super responsive. It does get the looks and positive comments from friends. It fits the bill for what we were looking for. A 2,600 mile trip in two weeks. Top speed 145 & 0 -60 in 5.5 sec. (havent confirmed either)

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  Good Deal - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By NarleyCarley - January 27 - 7:10 pm

  If you want a car thats cheap to drive, and cheap to buy this is it. I have done NOTHING to this except change oil and tuneup. Yes the interior is a little cheap but what do you expect? Out of the 10 something vehicles I have owned, this has been the best bang for buck. This is a great first car for your 16 year old daughter or commute to work car. A few rattles and road noise, but again the car is under $12,000. Stereo was great

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  07 Torrent - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Matt - January 26 - 7:36 am

  I have owned my 07 torrent for two years now and love it! I have the upgrade package with XM, stereo upgrade, chrome polished wheels. I now have 53,000 miles on oit and I am looking at the new Torrent GXP. Bigger V-6. The only problem I have had with mine is the front wheel bearing went out on both sides. The dealer took care of it under warranty and gave me a rental. Tones of room for a samll to mid size SUV. Towes 3,500 lbs too!!

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  It just keeps on ticking - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By It wont die - January 23 - 7:20 am

  I have had a few problems with my Transport as well. The Manifold gasket and the radio display being 2 of them. I have also had to replace the power window switch twice on the drivers side. Overall this van has been exceptional. It never breaks down and all problems have been caught in regular checks. I was going to drive it till it died. But its 10 years old and not even sick!

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  Lots of Work - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By Cruzincool - January 22 - 10:46 am

  I owned a 1997 Firebird before I bought this one and sold it with 167k and never had a single issue out of it, so naturally I bought another one. This one has been nothing but a headache. After having the vehicle for a week, my check engine light came on. Misfire due to bent valve and my automatic tensioner was bad. $1300 to fix. Three weeks later, car started running rough, then not at all. I had to replace all three coil packs and ignition module. Chrome rims had some sort of defect where they would not hold air, so I had to buy another set. Then yesterday it started the same rough running as before. Also, the electrical systems randomly quit operating and turn signals burn out in 2 days.

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  2002 Grand AM SE - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Cydal - January 20 - 5:43 pm

  I have only had this car for about a month now, but it has yet to disappoint me. The fuel economy is great, the style is stylish, the performance is good (Considering its still stock! LOL) Overall, it is a good car.

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  My little red convertible - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By nmmrc1983 - January 20 - 7:53 am

  I love my little red Pontiac.I get great gas mileage, and with gas prices on the rise, i am glad Ive got her. Nothing beats putting my top down and going home after a hard day at work. I think this car is HOT.

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  Great Car!!! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Greg - January 20 - 3:56 am

  Base model with leather and heated seats. Great car no problems at all. Was getting around 22-25 mpg mostly highway and doing 70-80.

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  Oil Leaker - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Glenn Koll - January 19 - 6:20 pm

  Could be a nice economical vehicle. Reliability & depentability awful. Purchased in 12/2004 in shop four times for the same OIL LEAK. We only have 1350 miles on vehicle. Dealrship can not guarantee vehicle is repaired. GM will not honor Lemon Law. Being given the run around as dealer will write up the same repair different ways. Forced to contact product liability attorneys. As a loyal GM customer to sum this up in one word Disappointing. Will no longer purchase GM vehicles.