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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  Perfect Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 2004 Grand Prix - September 28 - 11:53 am

  This is my second Grand Prix. It was definitely worth the upgrade from the 2001 model. This car has very good power and pickup. Very comfortable interior and exterior styling. Ive had it a year and a half and just now had my first problem--which was minor. GM may just have finally figured out their brake problems. This is my first GM that I havent had to put brakes on within the first year. Interior could be built with better quality materials, things tend to wear out easily. Other than that I would recommend this vehicle to anyone!

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  exciting car - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GXP owner - September 26 - 4:56 am

  I have had the vehicle for over 2 weeks and the GXP version is awesome. Has outstanding V-8 and it really goes. Looks are headturning

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  Faster please - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO06 - September 24 - 4:53 am

  Overall happy with the GTO would like to see some classic features highlighted.

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  muscle car mania - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By rupp - September 23 - 1:10 pm

  Wow! Absolutely mindblowing acceleration and handling! Used to own a Mustang GT and there is no comparison. Aftermarket add-ons to increase horsepower are extremely inexpensive so you can do all kind of things to the motor real cheap! Love it!!

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  99 gtp - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By cousinvinney - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought used with 24000 miles was never in for warentee till I brought it in for a delaminaled door pannel. no squeaks/ rattels etc. Fit and trim is great. All the bells and whistles makes the car a supurb toy. the car gets 16.5 mpg around town and 26 on the road. This thing has got some scoot to it !!!! and it is very stable in turns and at speeds of 90 mph and beyond. Real nice car !

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  love my car - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Soggy - September 22 - 6:06 am

  all my friends drive the usual herd cars, but this one always gets the looks. Have had it for over 7 years now, and still love this. It stands out in the parking lot, performs really well, except for minor repairs, it works pretty darn fine. Picks up speed fast, and I really like the rocketship feel of the car. Just wish that they had done something about the passenger bump and some more space in the trunk.

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  Leaking Manifold on both 99 & 94 - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Indy500guy - September 19 - 10:00 am

  I have had 2 Bonnevilles. A 94 & 99. I like the overall performance, and exterior, but I have put 3 manifolds on each car. The 3rd one of each being "out of warranty". I sure wish GM would spend the $2-3.00 to fix the problem, rather than just hide behind the "we cant warranty them forever" line. Breaks - like all of the 6 GM cars I have owned, are undersized, and warp very easy. I will admit that I have become a better break mechanic because of owning a GM. Unfortunetly for GM, they have lost my respect, and I would find it difficult to ever buy a GM product again, and thats a shame.

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  Same Engine Problem -Intake body - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By CAF - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Same experience as others ... cracked intake body allowing antifreeze to enter engine. A big mess ...about $2.2K in damage/repairs. Car never did seem to run well for a long period of time since we purchased it ... always replacing fuel injectors and plugs ... maybe thats why the original owner did a dump-n-run on it after 5K miles!?

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  No thanks - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ktrud - September 14 - 6:33 pm

  My first car when I turned 18. Bought it at 86,000 mi and sold it at 107,000. Only had it for a little over two years. Cute for a girl, thank god I have a dad to fix all its problems or Id be in debt for sure. Blew head gasket twice. All the plastic vents broke. Constantly leaked antifreeze after replacing reservoir twice. A/c compressor made loud hissing noise when not activated. Interior buttons and knobs all very cheap and heater core went out. Plastic trim in the interior broke off. Paint started to rust and peel off even though car was kept in the garage.

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  Good Ol Girl - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By nola2012 - September 14 - 2:51 pm

  I bought this car used in Sept 05 with 33,000 miles on it. I am now looking to retire her with 220 plus. Overall shes been very reliable but this car does have some design flaws. Rainstorms are not its friend. Water runs down into the AC system and I had to have the heater box replaced. The blower began sticking on last year, got it fixed and didnt last. The AC system has now burned up in it completely and Im not getting it fixed. The floors will also get soaked in heavy rain which is really strange. The backseat is too cramped but the trunk is the size of Nebraska. I have loved the power and good looks of this car though.