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:

• 

  nice car-poor quality - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By chaps - October 25 - 3:40 pm

  Love that motor, handles nice with a good ride, overall a rewarding car to drive. Quality is poor, car is midnight blue and the primer shows through all over. GM wont respond so Im going to BBB for buy back. 13 new GMs in last 20 years and this is how they treat return customers? Very unhappy with the fact they wont meet with me. Time to look at the Imports.

• 

  Wife Loves it! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Anthony - October 25 - 11:06 am

  We got a Solstice for my wife, She totally loves it. The dealership called as soon as they had one the color she wanted. Picked it up that evening, rode home with the heat on and the top down. I took it in for its first service today, the car is great, a lot of fun to drive and people stop and look when we go by. Amazingly quiet with the top down, I was expecting way more noise. Hugs the road, just a fun car to drive on a curvy road or in and out of traffic.

• 

  Amazing Car for the Price - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Sparky881 - October 24 - 12:30 pm

  I was called by the Dealer at 9 am, when a G8 came in to test drive it. Arrived at the dealership at 10am. Loved the way it looked,and fun to drive.Three minutes into the test drive I told the dealer Id take it, took it home that afternoon. Stopped at Starbucks on the way home, at the store had 5 people ask me about the car, they all said it was a amazing looking car. When I got home, some of the neighbors started asking about it. Already put on 150 miles was real fun to drive on interstate 75 in Florida. Like this car more than any car Ive owned since 1969 (GTO)

• 

  Do not buy a pontiac - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Antonio - October 24 - 8:50 am

  After buying the car with around 80K miles, we were told that it was normal wear for the manifold intake to leak. This is the coolant intake. It costs around $700 to fix for a car that has a bluebook of around $4500 best case scenario. This is just for this leak, other problems common. NO LONG TERM reliability at all. Avoid Pontiac at all costs if you need a reliable car. The WORST car I have ever owned and will never, ever buy a Pontiac again, new or used.

• 

  10s - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By curlygirlie - October 23 - 9:46 pm

  This is the most fun car Ive ever driven. It gets looks left and right, everyone wants to know what kind of car it is. Since there are so few in my city, (around 7) its like belonging in a secret club. The solstice gets excellent gas mileage, has enough pep to forget its only a 4 cylinder and is so fun to drive that I get excited to drive anywhere.

• 

  Costly Repairs - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By j gray - October 23 - 10:26 am

  I purchased the vehicle in 2002 and three years later Ive spent thousands in repairs. Ive had to replace the brakes (just once so far, so I guess Im luckier than others), the power steering pump, the gas sensor (ran out but gauge said it had 1/4 tank), and the blinkers were recalled. There is also a lot of road noise so its not a quiet ride.

• 

  Celica SUV - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By VibeVibeVibe - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Check out the wheelbases of the Toyota Corolla, Celica, Matrix and Vibe. Surprise! They are all 102.4 inches exactly. The engines are the same size and HP rating, the Vibe is a Celica platform-mini SUV. Great seats and room, Im 6-03 240 # and this thing is comfy even on 300 mile jaunts, getting 30 mpg or better the whole way. If you can afford it, get the moonroof and CD player. Sum up:Very handy Beach Buggy with the room of a SUV and the mpg of a Corolla!! Price paid:$15,800 with AT and M/T package and keyless entry. Thanks GM for the $2000 cash back! BTW, looks more sporty/better seats than the Matrix.

• 

  Lots of problems - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dumplins - October 23 - 10:00 am

  Had car for 30 miles and it had to be serviced 7 times. Computer failed twice, wouldnt start, heater went out, oil leak, wouldnt start again, and something else. (I cant remember because I have had to take it in so many times)

• 

  A drivers car! - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GRTFUN - October 23 - 12:43 am

  I really enjoy the great handling, heads up display, the way it hugs the curves, and the heated leather seats. My car was fully loaded and well taken care of. No complaints.

• 

  Great Grand Am GT - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GrandAmGT - October 22 - 2:30 pm

  I see some reviews saying that their car (having been bought used) isnt reliable...well some upkeep is required to keep a car moving (duh)...Mine has been great with only the expected items (brake pads, spark plugs) being replaced. Has never failed to start and has the original battery (04) in it. Dont blame the manufacturer if you bought a used car and it isnt up to par---maintain it! Ive changed plugs and brake pads and thats it for replacement items. Proper oil changes will do wonders....