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 for great price! - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By blargal - November 2 - 1:40 am

  I was on the search for a car for two weeks and almost bought a Mazda3 so glad I didnt! This little car is very well made and ive always loved pontiacs as my first car was one and never had an issue with it till it got in an accident. I thought i couldnt afford this car when I first test drove it but I got it right in my price range per month had great credit and apr and I knocked them down to 13grand :) basicly for the price you just cant beat the deal on a reliable car like this. Oh I chose the GT model cause thats what I have...but its an auto but has the option to switch to manual sooo 5 speed manual? only option they had lol.

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  Our second Vibe! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By cathyy - November 1 - 2:50 pm

  When my husband and I decided to trade in his Grand Am and my Vibe and get just one new car (pending retirement) there was no discussion about which model car to get. We both knew it HAD to be another Vibe. Our Vibes have never given us a moments worry. Everything Just Works, and looks good while doing it. We get the basic utility of an SUV without the hefty gasoline guzzling. When our daughter visits, the Vibe is her choice of car to borrow due to the easy car seat installation. The optional cargo box prevents groceries from sliding around in the cargo area, and folds flat out of the way. Its an ideal car for almost anyone, young or old. Dont be misled by the marketing.

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  Honestly speaking...... - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By BOY WONDER - October 30 - 9:33 am

  I just got this car (80,000 mi.) About a month ago. After reading some of your reviews im scared to death... Its been good to me so far. I did have to replace the turn signal and the brakes are a lil squeeky. But overall it hasnt been a problem. The gas mileage is ok, but ive had better. Thank god i got a 2 year warranty on this thing. Hopefully i wont need to get it fixed as often as you guys have. I love the car. But i guess ill update this thing in about 2 years. From the 94 nightmare ($500 every 2 months) saturn sl2 i had. This is a big improvement...Trust me!

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  GrandPrix Luva - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By luvpontiac - October 28 - 8:10 pm

  I love the Grand Prix design as well as the reliability. This is my second Grand Prix and the only reason I sold my other one was because I wanted something newer! Has a lot of get up, fun to drive, smooth handling, and reliability is excellent. I have not had one problem with my new GP yet! Not to mention Pontiac has the BEST stereos in their vehicles.

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  pontiac gran prix.. it turns heads. - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mary lou barnwell - October 28 - 8:56 am

  i love the responsiveness of this beauty. it will get you out of bad situations...and safely home. its a thrill to step on the gas and feel the response. people head turn to look at the fusion orange metallic.people come up to admire the color.we totally love this car.it has been pure pleasure for us.i love the heated leather seats.the monsoon stereo.the pure quickness of it.

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  Reliability is not worth the price! - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By ATS - October 28 - 2:00 am

  We like the vehicle and the first 40,000 miles were fine. Then the problems began to appear. They included failed intake manifold (requiring engine rebuild) at 60K, ABS pump at 70K, transmission at 52K, radio twice, computer modules three times, and now at 105K, the manifold went again to the tune of $1200! For what we paid for the car, I would not recommend this model especially when GM has issued tech bulletins on these issues yet will not cover the repair costs.

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  I expected more as a repeat Pontiac cust - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cojoe735 - October 28 - 2:00 am

  Overall, I have had a few nusiance problems with the car that I should not have had a problem with being a new car. I have had trouble with a side view mirror breaking during an automatic car wash, lost power steering due to a failed hose connection, drivers side window retaining clips failed, cigarette/accesory plug in keeps popping fuses, moisture in the taillights causing the turn signals to fail, abs never worked correctly, brake replacement @ 10,000 miles. Overall, Its a great looking car with alot of power for its class. The great looking style and power almost makes it bearable to put up with the mechanical short-commings of this vehicle.

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  Great Car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By swimminomar - October 28 - 2:00 am

  After buying this car it truly has been a dream. It has excellent performance and acceleration and gets good gas mileage for the sized engine it has. It is really fun to drive.

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  Best GM Car in Years - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Jerry - October 27 - 5:23 pm

  The G8 is an excellent vehicle overall. It drives and performs like a muscle car with the luxury of the best. I constantly get comments from people in parking lots and thumbs up from others on the highway. GM must keep this vehicle in the lineup even if it is rebadged. Great job GM!

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  best GTO yet - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Jim Colaianni - October 27 - 4:13 am

  Ive owned many 60s & early 70s muscle cars. The 2006 GTO is the fastest cart Ive driven.