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:

• 

  Dependable Alternative - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By tjhbama - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I traded my Suburban for my Aztek. Best economics trade ever... I have 52K miles on my 2002, and have had no mechanical problems, and get 20/25 city and highway. Dont have the space of the suburban (9 passengers), but have room for 5 adults and luggage for same. I tow a 8 utility trailer for recreation, and love the flexibility of flipping rear seats down, or up, or taking them out easily. Cargo space is nice in the rear, with 48" width for hauling lumber for those home improvement projects. Drivers seat cover replaced under warranty last year.

• 

  2002 Trans Am - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Tony M - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. More power than the sane mind would expect. Everyone from 5 to 85 comments on the car. This car gets 25 mpg at 80 mph in 6th gear. Last weekend I folded down the rear seat and hauled home several 4X8 sheets of plywood and 2X4s from Home Depot ... I kept it under 80 for the trip home :)

• 

  goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By goat owner - January 16 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, 6 speed rpms @2000 runing 70 t0 80 mph.trip 183 miles avg. speed 58 mph gas milage 26.8 very good.

• 

  I live in Alaska and Im ruff on stuff!!! - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By jaykeller - January 16 - 12:55 am

  I bought my montana with barely any miles on it it was in pristine condition! After having it for five years I hunt, fish, camp, and haul quit a bit with it! I have a one place trailer that my Harley(motorcycle) Skidoo(snowmachine)and polaris(4wheeler) all fit on nicely (one at a time that is) and i dont even know they are there i make 1600 plus mile long trips in the thing in Ak witch isnt known for its nice flat hyws if you know what i mean.Then I slap the seats back in it and its my olladys soccer mom wagon! I have had to replace a few things on it but mostly because of operator err like I said I am very hard on things and yet this mini van seems to keep right up with me! I Love Mine!

• 

  Fun car to drive expensive to keep - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By carlover - January 15 - 10:50 pm

  Had this car for about a year when problems slowly started appearing. First was the notorious Coolant leak that GrandAMs commonly have.Next the igngition coils blew on 2 cylinders, all this needing about 1200$ to fix.As a poor student, this ate most of my savings. Car is extremely powerful.Just step on the gas pedal and all it asks you is what speed you want to run to. Interior is not well designed..esp the cup holders are awkward.The front cup holder cant be used when gear is in Park.Fuel economy is 15-16 mpg once you reach about 60k miles.ALl I can say is that dont buy the HorsePower you dont need.Go for a Toyota/Honda and keep maintenance minimum and get a good resale value.

• 

  Great First Car!!! - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Landen G - January 15 - 6:31 am

  I got my 2007 g5 gt with 162,000 miles on it and i love it!!! The only problem i had was with the sunroof drains being clogged but that was it. Love the Pioneer Audio, sunroof, styling, wheels and comfort. Only thing i dont like is the rear visibility but thats it!! GREAT CAR!!!

• 

  Cool, Fun, Practical & Reliable - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rick Hansen - January 15 - 4:50 am

  I simply love this car. -Chose monochrome color. Enjoy the sound system w/6-CD in dash. Performance is zippy with standard engine & mileage is quite good. Back seat is quite comfortable for guests and so many configurations for stuff (I feel we have as much carrying room as our Jeep Grand Cherokee had). The Pontiac styling with Toyota engineering really works for me.Also, nice having side air bags and antilock brakes. I currently have driven almost 70,000 miles on this Vibe and not one rattle. Nice having a rather complete range of electric functions.

• 

  Best Eight Years Ever and Still Running Strong - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jake0886 - January 15 - 2:15 am

  Ive owned my 1998 Grand Am SE 3.1L since 2003 and am still driving it today, for an amazing 8 years! I have all installed options as well. Best of all, Ive had zero issues with it. Considering this was my first car during high school, thats quite a feat. Originally it had 48K miles and was a salvage title that cost me $2800 + $700 in parts to rebuild. It survived my pizza delivery days in high school, college days and 8 years later...Im still driving it as it just wont die like many friends and family predict it would. Currently still running with zero issues at 178K. Best $3500 investment ever! I absolutely love this car and would gladly a new Pontiac if they still existed!

• 

  Solstice Rocks! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Joey - January 14 - 7:06 am

  I get more looks in this car than I ever did with my 2 vettes that Ive owned. Love the car! Looks great, handles great and is a roadster size vehicle that is fabulous to drive.

• 

  updated SV6 review - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By mogravedigger - January 14 - 4:19 am

  first posted review in 2009 of our 2006 Miontanna SV6. dont know of we got a good one or what, so many negative reviews. Our 2006 now had 110,000 miles on it. with no problems at all. yes it does have stains on the seats, yes they are hard to get out totally, but hey grandkids are messy and what fabric does not stain.Scotch guard helps but hey I can live with it. but come on people this is nitpicking. Our van has vever let us down and other then routine maintence oil changed at 4,000 miles (oil is cheap people change it often) brakes replaced rotors were fine 2 transmission fluid changes and 4 sets of tires this vehicle has not been in shop since awd sensor replaced under warranty. .