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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  Disappointed - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By clatimri - January 27 - 4:30 am

  I really thought this would be a great family vehicle. I bought it used with only 9000 miles on it.The front end needed many things replaced. The ride....very rough in the driver seat. Rode in the back with children, it was the most uncomfortable seat I ever sat in. The bucket seats..cheap..material leaves terrible ring stains from even water....those seats were uncomfortable too. The rode noise was horrible. We always had to turn radio up or dvd player up louder to hear it. I have always been a dedicated gm buyer..........no more pontiac vehicles for me.

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  Great Ride - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mike - January 26 - 8:30 am

  Only owned for about a month but so far very impressed. Expert reviewers missed on this one, traded 300C which was a terrible car, nothing worked after 3 months, GXP has great drive train, more than enough power, very good handling for a front driver. MPG so far is about 17/22 which should only improve with time

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  the real deal - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By american legend - January 26 - 7:03 am

  all power best bang for the buck under 40k handles better than it goes...plenty of power and style!

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  Boo hoo - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By bonnie - January 25 - 6:10 pm

  Seems like everything that could go wrong has, trouble with wipers, front and back, air conditioning, brake valve, air cond, again., plastic bearing, and they now say I need to replace head gasket still I am paying on the bank loan for another year and a half, not sure if I want to risk not fixing the van because I do not have the money, or chancing I might be able to hold out until it, s paid for

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  My Review - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Beth - January 24 - 4:53 pm

  I love my Vibe. It is the best car I have ever owned. It is very fun to drive and has great get up and go. Has a wonderful passenger airbag sysytem to turn off the airbag automatically if a child or small adult is sitting in the front passenger seat. Plently of cargo space, GREAT gas mileage, and comfortable seats. The only draw back is it doesnt come with electric windows and entry system unless you bump up to a much pricier model.

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  Buy one! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Bobby - January 24 - 5:23 am

  Just last week on I-95 I hit an already dead deer which was in the road..it was dark so i didnt see it until the last min. I ran over the deer at 75mph. the car did great.. no damage and I was in control the whole time. This car may have saved my life. This is a wonderful car to buy!

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  Worst Car I Ever Owned - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Cyle - January 23 - 3:36 pm

  I have owned this car since they came out. The first time I got into the car the check engine light was on, right their I should have stopped from buying the car. The 4 speed transmission is a huge let down, the power is their but not when you need it. The interior is cheap, the fabric stains easily. The paint on the front bumper pits easily from stones,etc. The doors are huge and heavy, heavier than a truck door. In GMs attempt to get a better looking car into the market than the Cobalt they have failed on a massive level. Overall this car is better in the junkyard than on the road!

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  awsome car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By argentinegirl - January 23 - 10:00 am

  this is a great car for that first timer drives great rides great the only thng it does kinda suck down the gas but not to bad

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  The best bargain ever ... - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By julioga - January 23 - 2:23 am

  This car is one of the best looking caras on the street right now. Its that eye candy and WOW car that arises every 2 or 3 years, like the PT Cruiser, or the New Bettle or the Mini Cooper. This car is anything but flat. In South Beach at several valet parkings they park this car in front with the ferraris and lamborghinis. This is a bold move and not from ford, this time from GM/ Pontiac. Looks 3 or 4 times its actual price, girls love it and its fun to drive, under powered but the fuel economy is awesome. Lets see if the GXP turbo version later 2006 will handle the performance issues. This car is a solid 9.

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  Old Faithful - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carl - January 22 - 8:10 pm

  Other than the initial recall of the gas pedal assembly when the car was new, I have had no issues with this car in the 6+ years/66k miles Ive had it. Other than routine maintenance, I havent put a dime into what would be considered a "repair". Its by no means a "sports car", but it is very good at what its intended to be--a comfortable, quiet, good handling, RELIABLE sedan. And fuel mileage is decent too-- 30 mpg @ 70 mph on long trips/20 mpg stop & go. If it continues to be as good as its been, I will drive it until the wheels fall off, which should be quite a few years off.