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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  Room for all - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By PracticalOne - October 8 - 10:00 am

  The best reason to buy this car is for the roominess. It may not be the sleekest design, but the boxy shape allows for plenty of room in the back seat. We easily fit three kids (including two in car seats). Very practical car. Fun to drive - have had no problems with it. It is our second one.

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  GTO new but Better? - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO MAN - October 8 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun, fast, and sleek... only thing is people all think it a grand am, grand prix. Should have a better design, rear is cool, front lights and grill are basic! If you teast drive, the car it will feel like a race car! 2nd gear kicks hard, and 60mphs come super fast! Only thing I wish it had was more of that old bad a$$ look!

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  Best car that I have owned - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ROBERT - October 7 - 6:36 pm

  I love my Pontiac Grand Am its too bad that there not going to make any more Pontiacs. The car gets great gas mileage and it is very peppy especially when your passing someone on a two lane road. What I dont like about it it has to many cup holders and the rear cup holder that folds out you cannot place any cup in the holder without it spilling onto the floor.

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  2 Years of love so far - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Scott - October 7 - 6:26 pm

  This car was bought in 2007 with 60k on it and never a problem other than a waterpump. The engine is strong as a horse for only 6 cylinders thanks to the supercharger. Highly recommend this vehicle to others.

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  Good performance, horrible reliability - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By dmblystone14 - October 6 - 10:50 pm

  I bought a GXP used with less than 30K miles in early 2010. I now own a 2009 G8 GT, and while the performance is comparable the reliability is not. Too many issues, most being transmission related for me to recommend this to another buyer. If you have one of these and you make it to 50k miles without replacing the transmission consider yourself lucky. I began having transmission problems at 35k miles and had the tranny fluid changed but still didnt shift right. within 5k miles had to have a new tranny put in. The car never shifted right again.

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  Az to me - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By vern - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Would purchase again, gets bad reveiws because people havent driven, once driven loved. Certin colors combos stink and could use a little more agressive posture.

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  still like it after 75,000 miles - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By herbdoc - October 6 - 2:00 am

  Car is great all-purpose vehicle. Great flexiblity in seating, able to seat 8 and can fold up middle seats without removing them to give LOTS of legroom to my 6-foot tall boys! Gas mileage is good for a van, love the drivers side sliding door. Not many problems, either!

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  Decent car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By daishi48 - October 6 - 2:00 am

  I have owned this car for less than a year, and I am satified overall. The only problem I have had is the drivers side power window quit working about 3000 miles out of warranty.

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  the car my wife does not let me drive - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By L.BROUSSARD - October 5 - 9:06 am

  Very proud owner of this fine looking car. The car gets a lot of stares male and female. Its the type of car that is new to the eye. Owned the car for three days and already someone was wanting to use it for a Mardi Gras parade.

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  My Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By King - October 4 - 8:40 pm

  I love driving my Torrent. Its fast and comfortable and the best buck for the bang.