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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  Best car I ever owned - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By JulieBear - August 25 - 7:13 pm

  I bought this car last Nov. I absolutely love it. I am a die hard foreign car buyer but when I had to replace my car on short notice I decided to by my red sunfire. I am still in love with this car. The car pickups quickly and I have had only one mechanical problem (an O2 sensor which my warranty took care of) with 46,000 and going. The car handles decently and is surprisingly nimble in the Massachusetts snow. My only complaint which I have heard a lot is the cup holders are in front of the heat controls so they are hard to get to if you have a cup in them. All in all I couldnt be happier with my purchase!!

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  Excellent - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By natalie - August 20 - 8:23 pm

  This is a great car. Excellent in the snow and very reliable. Even with over 100,000 k miles, it has get up and go.Very roomy for 4 people. Lots of trunk room. Not to many problems, just a few minor ones. The check engine light comes on if the gas cap isnt on right. That can be a nuisance. Other than that, I love this car!

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  longevity & fun - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By cah1023 - August 18 - 2:00 am

  Im just now thinking of selling my 97 GTP....i like performance, and have been out looking at replacing with BMW or equivalent. Id love to buy another, but it has NOT retained its value...although it has retained its performance. Things just now (125K miles) starting to show wear. I do a lot of highway miles, and the GTP made it fun.

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  Not bad overall - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By John - August 17 - 5:30 pm

  Current Mileage: est 77,000 When i got this car it had 1500 miles. For the majority of the time i have owned this car its been a reliable. I can now start to feel it wanting to die. She sometimes needs two trys to start. She is very good in the snow and drives good. Just got to watch your foot because she will take off if you dont watch..

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  Weekend toy - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By redsol - August 15 - 12:40 am

  My wife and I each have one, and they are toys for weekend use. Yes, the guy who placed the switches should be shot, but, in spite of al the complaints from magazine types, we can, with thought, place enough luggage for 2 for a 1 week trip. Just no big bags. There are plenty of storage slots if you look at it, even with the top down. Mileage is way better than EPA says. We get 25 mpg in town on both cars. The top can be a pain, but once you get a system, its pretty easy. It is a fun car, and handling is great. Took mine to Phx Intl Raceways roadcourse and had a blast. yes, the interior design team must have had a party the night before, but the fun factor outweighs the negatives.

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  Mellow Yellow - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By DadMan - August 13 - 10:00 am

  Terrific ride, excellent sound system, cuts through snow like it doesnt exist, seamless transfer into AWD

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  Still going strong - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By kanreich - August 12 - 11:13 pm

  Have 130,000 miles on this car and havent had to do anything to it. Runs exactly as it did at 30,000 miles.

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  husky-mobile - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By excal - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I bought the vibe mainly to take my two huskies for their walks in areas less populated. It is the first "car" I have bought in years. I have gotten used to trucks.

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  Aztec is a lost treasure! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Pashka82 - August 6 - 10:00 am

  I have had an Aztec for just about a year now and it has been a blast. The car is responsive, easy to manuever, and I have never seen another SUV or Van or crossover of the two have such a tight turning circle. The power is adequate when you need it. The ride is smooth as they come and good enough to support the better looking Buick Rendezvous. Yes, the looks are not great, but they wear on you. What is great is the interior design: lots of storage space, no driver is too tall to fit in and five adults fit in with plenty of comfort. Aztec is great and I highly recommend it!

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  well-well - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jules - August 5 - 5:23 pm

  American car, American quality but 28 MPG is impressive. In average $100 maintenance per month and you will spend it all for sure. I have 140K miles but still running well. Forget regular gas, it doesnt like it.