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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  If I knew then what I know now - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Stuck - January 5 - 5:26 pm

  This is the most expensive car I have purchased and it has been in the shop for 4 major issues 6 times in just over 2 years. At 2 weeks check engine light-replaces senor. Then sun roof leaked twice and flooded car, burning oil-replace exhaust gaskets, steering wheel noise - had to lube steering shaft, now lights in dash burned out and constant vibration in steering wheel. Just afraid what is next? Stuck payment wise or would dump this lemon.

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  Blue/Green Chrystal GXP - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Toni Ahlgren - January 4 - 11:46 am

  My 2005 GXP is an outstanding performance sportscar. I love the output from the engine when I step on it. It feels like the rear-axle is somehow kind off "glued" when I stop and go and at a redlight if I make a normal start. Feels little bit "jerky"

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  Good start, but ultimately disappointed - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By HRC - January 4 - 2:00 am

  I really liked this car at first. I got it my last year of high school and took it to college. It is nice for a younger person. It has great gas mileage. It looks great; sporty, but reasonably priced. After about two years the problems started, though. I had to get the brakes fixed, the check engine light is almost always on (although Ive had it taken in to be fixed many times and they cant find a problem or they say they have fixed it), and driving performance has really taken a downturn in the last few months (it is now five years old, so maybe thats not so bad).

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  Shes a great Pontiac - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Guitarlust213 - January 2 - 10:00 am

  Shes actually a white SE1 (SE2 was the only option in this sites menu) with the V6, 16" wheels and spoiler. Had her for several months. Got her used with 13000 on the odomoter, shes now at 22000+. Took her round trip 1400+ miles one time to Nevada from west Oregon. Lots of top speed action on the "middle of nowhere" roads. :-) Cornering is great. Stopping is great. Her only flaw would be wet weather traction. The 16s with the Goodyears need hot, dry pavement. But shes a good car. LTaken lots of coastal trips. Fun, reliable, attractive car. It easily beats most imports (i.e. wannabe racers) off the line, and gets decent mileage. Overall, good ride.

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  Love those Pontiacs! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Tony Almaguer - January 1 - 5:56 pm

  The car offers more performance, comfort and luxury features than anything else in its size range. GMs financing made it our lease a "steal" and well be back for another one in 3 years. BTW, our other car is a 2003 Grand Am GT 2-dr that offers sportiness at a low price. It aint a performance car, but it sure gives good value for the money!

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  Forced me into the arms of Toyota - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By chuckb - January 1 - 3:50 pm

  This was our second Montana. Had a 1999 that my wife totaled. The reliability on the 99 was spotty,but this one has been terrible. A/C condenser replaced twice, automatic headlights that wont go off, problems with traction control, leaking intake manifold gaskets. Finally at 58,000 miles the transmission went. Repair costs of $1800. Long letter and phone calls to GM result in sympathetic phone calls back, but no real response or reimbursement. Finally replaced this van after only 3 yrs and 60000 miles. My predicition? GM will be out of business within 20 yrs.

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  Solstice Rocks for the Price - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By toma - December 31 - 7:40 am

  This car is so fun to drive. I had to wait 7 months to get the car, but was worth it. EVERYWHERE I go, I get stopped and asked about the car. Sometimes I pretend I am on my phone because the attention is endless!

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  No substitute for v8 power - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Brian - December 31 - 5:10 am

  Fun car,previously owned a 96 olds aurora with the 4.0 v8(great car) and a 02 v6 powered 300m.Traded the 300m on the GXP and I dont miss the 300m a bit.I am impressed by the GXPs v8 power.Loads of hp and torque,which is nice for winning the stoplight races.The exhaust note reminds me of a sixties muscle car. Decent ride for a car with a performance suspension and low profile tires. Fuel economy is lower than shown on window sticker. Im sure the car was tested under normal driving conditions but what fun would it be to drive this car slow? As I said there is no substitute for American v8 power.

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  Pontiac Vibe, a good fuel-economy car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Kristin - December 28 - 8:26 pm

  This car really surprised me. I loved the design but was weary of how the performance was going to be. When I got in the car to my surprise the little 4 cylinder engine really has some spark to it and allows for good acceleration. The car is light and this makes the body and the engine fit perfectly and the fuel-economy is way above what I was used to. The interior is of course not as roomy as I would have liked it to be, but the hatch back has a lot of room and the seats will fold down to make a great deal of room which was excellent when I was moving stuff to another city. The interior is also very sporty and the seats comfortable. On the negative, the silver exterior paint chips easily.

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  2002 Grand Prix - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By vickie - December 24 - 9:40 am

  Wonderful car to drive. Wider is better. Needed something that holds 2 sets of golf clubs - they fit in the trunk very comfortably with space to spare. Also wanted something sporty that handles well - not ready for a Grandma car. But I have a problem with the reliability of the car. Transmission went out after 2 years resulting in major repair (under warranty). And drivers side window quit working consistently after nearly 3 years (barely under warranty).