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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  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By nac4life - April 14 - 9:16 pm

  What more can you say? 400 HP. Quiet, smooth ride, handles good and can take off like a rocket in a heartbeat. Sure the y could have done more with the appearance but thats what makes this car such a good package. Yeah some people may have bought a bad one and come on here and rip the car, but youll have that with any model. Take it for a spin, you wont be disappointed. I sure wasnt.

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  my review - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By awd wagon - April 14 - 1:33 pm

  I drive on highway for going to work but live on country dirt roads and it handles very well on all kinds of roads.It also handles well in the snow.

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  No more Hondas for me! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GM Convert - April 14 - 11:30 am

  After an accident I got a Grand Prix as a loaner. Turning the key & hearing the rumble of the twin exhausts got my undivided attention. Good acceleration, gas mileage & style won me over! The V6 Accord & Camry get about the same mileage but both look like Grandpa-mobiles! Initial quality is great-I’ve not been back for anything to repaired-my Accord had many trips back! Upkeep is less & the insurance rates are lower than my ‘superior’ Honda. The GT is the best value w/extra toys, traction control, antilock brakes & twin exhaust. One rental week converted me– I haven’t owned a GM car in 20 years but I don’t think I’ll ever consider another foreign car again… this one is too good!

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  Good but it has its moments - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By nails - April 14 - 10:00 am

  The car drives awesome, never a problem with engine ever. Now lets get to the other things though..I have had my drivers side motor replaced twice, it needs to be replaced. I cant get it replaced with the warrenty co because the motor is not totaly burnt out. So when i want to raise the window icant most of the time..hows this one try driving down the 90 in BUFFALO in the middle of WINTER and the window is stuck in the down position. fun!! I also had to have the wiper motor fix once. The spark plugs were messed up when i first got, the car would get up and go put it sputtered.

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  amazing - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By paul_johnson_gto - April 14 - 7:23 am

  my car is the best car i have ever bought. i love my car. i would never trade it for another car. this car is smooth looking and gtes up and goes. it a great car for the price.

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  What a Beast! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By David P. - April 12 - 8:16 pm

  I had a G8 GT before this one, what a difference. The G8 should be the model that all other GM cars should follow. It seems like the Aussies are the ones who are keeoing there end of the deal. People want more than just trucks and SUVs. Sure the fuel economy isnt the greatest, but lets be resonable here, its a 6.2 litre! You have to pay to play. I put an air intake (RotoFab), aftermarket exhaust (Borla) and some SLP headers and that made a huge difference. This car is very responsive to performance upgrades, especially intake and exhaust. If you want a car that will give you a serious kick in the pants for a great value (0% financing, factory pricing), this is your car.

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  Total road warrior - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jordan - April 12 - 1:23 pm

  I have had my car since august 2005 and it has been so much fun. it is so great for having fun in whether it be street dragging or what ever it still got the job done in the end it has great low end and high end torque and everything is original except the alternater t-stat battery and starter and of course maintanance stuff. but if i was given the opportunity to buy another one it would be sooo worth it and i was 18 when i bought it on my own and there is not a day where i would go without it. and it handles so quickly and well at 90 mph and when going that fast you look at the road and your doing 110 mph without even knowing it. IT HAS A GREAT SOUND SYSTEM.

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  I Live In My Car - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Reeds-Kevin - April 11 - 3:20 pm

  This car rocks! I have been looking for a 4dr for a while and one day I just decided to check out the 2dr...It was awsome!! Not to mention a 63" guy like me fit in it perfectly. and when you sit down, it feels bigger inside than it looked from the outside. It rides nice and road noise is minimal.

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  Excellent - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Travis - April 10 - 2:16 pm

  Excellent car. Very reliable and fun to drive. 3800 V6 sounds sweet with dual exhaust. I have always had GM vehicles, and have been impressed with all, but especially Pontiac. Sporty, yet comfortable.

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  Driving is fun again - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By BILLMAN - April 10 - 10:00 am

  As an owner of many of the late 60s early 70s muscle cars, I was one of the many that were a bit leary of the release of the new gto. Most of us said the same thing..."Well, it sure dont look like a GTO." But after many months of shopping for a new car, I found myself repetedly returning to the Pontiac dealer. After several test drives, I just couldnt get enough! It may not have the reto look, but after driving one for 5 months, the gto has earned my respect. It has the muscle and grit I remember of the gtos of the old days, with the agility and grace of modern technology. For me, this GTO has renewed my faith in GM, and, made driving fun again!