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:

• 

  Fun vehicle - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mike s - May 31 - 9:53 am

  Have enjoyed this car from day one. As a automotive mechanics instructor I know cars and this is a good one. This thing has give me one problem wheel bearings the left bearing got loose at 45000 well out of warranty but Franks Pontiac in Lyndhurst,NJ repaired it at no charge even though I could have fixed it myself. The handling is great for a decent sized car as are the brakes. The engine is GMs bulletproof 3.8 Normally aspirated V-6. I replaced the tires with BF Goodrich Traction T/as at 39K the thing handles like a sports car great in rain/snow and NJs horrendous roads. Still looks good and runs great after 75000 miles. I plan to buy another in a short time.

• 

  Ive died and gone to heaven!!!! - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By Carla V - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I just got this car, but have been dreaming about it for years!! My 3rd firebird and my favorite!! Took me a long time to find exactly what I wanted...black, ram air, WS6, 6 speed, t-tops. I cant wait to race it!! Anyone who thinks their luxury car is better can kiss my butt!! Im sad they dont make them anymore, so if you want one better get one while you still can before they are all worn out and used up!!

• 

  great styling and fun - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By paulam - May 28 - 10:00 am

  Purchased my vibe in 3/04 and was very pleased with it. The gas millage is good and the styling is great. Very fun to drive and handeling is great. I just do not like the spongey feel of the seat material. It feels like a mini suv.

• 

  best car Ive ever owned - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Bchrisnmill - May 28 - 10:00 am

  this car provides a smooth comfortable ride,and weighing only about 1500 lbs, the 130 hp is plenty.All accessories are well within a small movement of your hand.very user friendly interior.easy to enter and exit,plenty of cargo,and did I mention the great ride...and anywhere from 250-350 mpg.

• 

  Awsome power - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gmsilveradoman - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This vehichle has a lot of get up and go even at highway speeds. Handles well . I have ram air package with ram air hood which gets lots of looks and comments.Dash is very sporty with bright red lighted gauges which everyone likes.Some criticize the 150mph speedometer. But if your like me and like to test the limits, a 120mph speedometer would have failed me. Top speed thus far for me, 124mph with no alterations(yet). The ride is the smoothest Ive ever experienced. At 124 mph it was smooth as glass.

• 

  Buy American - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Wadefs - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Pontiac GTP, my first was a 2001 GTP. Ive been a European car buyer all my life and was truely surprised at the cars handling and performance, as well as a giant step forward in build quality, fit and finish. The new GTP with the Comp G package is proof that GM is listening to its buyers and that Bob Lutz is a man of his word in his efforts to bring the driving experience back up to what it should be....exciting!!

• 

  Rides better than larger cars - 2008 Pontiac Vibe
  By Danny Boy - May 26 - 12:50 pm

  This car has great fuel economy and plenty of power. The fold down seats and accommodating hatch allows me to put down movers blankets and haul things. The good quality seat construction and the well-designed suspension give it a surprisingly comfortable ride for a car this size. I am confident that the car will still be quite usable when I give it to my grandson to use for college in 2029!

• 

  1995 GrandAm - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kst1995 - May 26 - 10:00 am

  longest Ive owned a car, 140,000 miles, no problems with engine, but electrical problems galore, automatic doors/window problems, radio, and brights problems, and noisy dash with lots of squeaks. Handles like a small car but heavey enough to make driving in snow and rain a breeze.

• 

  Great - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By DON - May 26 - 8:30 am

  The comfort and gas milage was the most suprising. I am 63" and get in and out with ease. We made a trip of over 2000 miles and could not have ask for more comfort. We previously has a grand prix and the g6 compares to it.

• 

  Watch out for the catalytic conv!!!! - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Stan the man - May 26 - 5:23 am

  I bought this brand new when 0% first came out. Good car overall. Luckily, I have escaped the tranny problems so far, well see. All you owners out there, BEWARE. The catalytic converter on these, the GTs, and the GTPs are bad. There IS a warranty to 80,000 miles on the SE, and they raised it to 120,000 for the others. I have an SE. Got it fixed at 79,600 miles, didnt even know about the warranty. sweet! Oh, by the way. This thing cost 21 grand new, and is now worth 5. Can you say "Honda" from now on!!!!!!