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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  A Rotting Lemon - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Eric - January 6 - 12:53 pm

  Beyond the annual trips to the mechanic to fix a leak or a rattle, we had a to have the entire steering system replaced at 75000, the AC redone soon thereafter. Then the fun started. The dirvers side window motor broke, the drivers side seat mechanics broke, and the door panels are constantly popping out of place. Last week, the light for the radio and clock went out. Now were replacing the radiator and selling it ASAP. Its fun to drive and handles well, if only the roads to the mechanics were more windy we could have more fun!

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  Mischievous car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Stina - January 5 - 7:33 pm

  This car is so fun to drive, my husband who has a car worth $10,000 more wants to drive it! It is great in fuel economy, plus has good pick-up for a 4 cyl. car. I would only say that the paint is not really up to par since the edges around my doors are chipping. Just get some paint to cover these and you will still love this car!

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  So Far so good! - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By Robert - January 5 - 1:23 am

  I was searching for a family car just after our 2nd child, weighing heavily on utility. We were going to be making a lot of long distance trips because my wifes family is from all over the USA. Overall we have been delighted with the amount trunk space that is in this car. Very happy with the comfort level when traveling over 2k miles one-way. Love the leather with kids, and heated for mommy and I. Out west in states with higher speed limits we found the biggest weakness, not enough horsepower. Itll hold 70 to 75 with no problem, try 80 even on the flat, in and out of overdrive. So, we slowed down and maxed out the fuel milage 21 mpg could be better. Overall nice crossover!

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  vehicle disappointing - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mpdcop21 - January 4 - 8:53 pm

  I have had my grand prix for more then 2 years now and i have had a constant problem with it. When i bought the car, they took another carfax from another grand prix on the lot and didnt tell me it was a rental car. I have had stalling problems for over a year and now Im having transmissions problems. Every time I take it to the dealership they cant duplicate the problem! And they charge me more to not diagnose it then it would be to fix it. Now Im taking my car to Aamco tomorrow to see what they say. It has 80,000 miles on it. The transmission should not be shot yet. But since it was a rental car it just might be. WE all know how we treat rental cars. The transmission is slipping a lot!!!!

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  Please dont buy one - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Redeye - January 4 - 11:23 am

  I wish Id never heard of Pontiac. My wife had a grand am - kept blowing head gaskets My son has a grand prix, same thing plus a loud knock, engine replaced Hard to keep pontiacs running. Company probably wont be running much longer.

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  Check it out! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Rebecca Rogers - January 3 - 9:00 pm

  Every one likes this sports utility. I wanted a truck or a car that had seats folded down. This vehicle is a combination. I recommend this vehicle to an independent, family-oriented person. The mileage isnt that great, but better that a truck. This vehicle is a must to try out. On the test-drive I drove it up to 80 mph with no shaking on the wheels. I like OnStar. They are very nice and helpful. When my engine light came on they did a diagnoistic check right then. It was an emission problem which they believe the gas cap wasnt turned enough. It is probably best to turn it about 6 clicks to seal the tank.

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  Pontiac Solstice - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Car Lover - January 3 - 11:26 am

  The Pontiac Solstice is a well desined high porformance car. I think that the new Mazda MX-5 coudnt beat it if it tried.

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  Sorry I bought this car - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Grandma Sue - January 3 - 5:33 am

  I love the looks and wanted a sporty v6 and thought I had found it at the right price. But I have had major brake problems which have damaged the transmission, brakes had to be replace in half the time I usually replace them. The motor idles rough. The radio overheats and ruins my CDs. Both my daughter and I get a backache on trips if we are driving. The passenger seatbelt locks when the seat is forward. I wont buy from this dealer or buy another Pontiac, a finincial disaster for me.

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  best car ever - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By sherri - January 3 - 4:56 am

  I love my new solstice...I have only one regret and that is that I live in MI and I bought my car in Sept. instead of April...Pontiac did everything right with this car my car is loaded so the stereo and leather put me in a wonderful state of mind..I like to call it my therapy- would recommend to all!!! I only buy GM and have a Bravada for winter so I am all set.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pjblack92 - January 3 - 4:50 am

  Dont have the time to elaborate, but I am thoroughly satified with my new gp.