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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  I am constantly in love with Aztek - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By diehard fan of aztek - September 25 - 10:00 am

  I truly love the Aztek. I cannot speak highly enough of it because of limited space. It deserves the highest accolades because it is the best looking vehicle. The design and shape is fabulous: modern, space ship-like! The interior is comfy and all leather, I enjoy it immensely, however I wouldnt have bought the Aztek just for that. Basically all new cars are comfy inside. THE STYLE SETS IT APART AND MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE!

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  AWESOME VEHICLE! - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By CRC - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car over the RAV4 (Boring, pricey) CR-V (whats up? No console! boring style). Always owned Toyotas until now. Probably the most versatile, option packed vehicle for the money. Dont knock it till youve spent some time with it. Ask any Aztek owner and they will tell you the same. Side airbags, V6, 4 wheel ABS, great stereo, cruise, full power for less than $22,000. Very happy with the car.

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  Im not a minivan owner, am I?... - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By R Schmidt - September 25 - 10:00 am

  Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine someone as cool and as hip as ME would ever buy a minivan, but Ive got to admit, this has been a great vehicle. From vacations to baseball tournaments, the Montana has handled all that Ive thrown at it and has performed admirably. I get about 26 mph, which is crucial when you dive as much as I do. After 118,000 miles, you would expect SOMETHING to want to fall of the vehicle, but the most Ive had to do to it is replace the master cylinder. One con: it does not handle well in icy conditions (I couldnt write a completely glowing review!!!).

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  95 fb - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Kyjimo - September 22 - 8:36 pm

  Im 20 and I bought a 95 fb convertible last year. It really aint a bad car truthfully. I have had to do some repairs like a engine swap, power steering, headlight motor, ac, still need to do a convertible motor, and other odds and ends. Truthfully if the guy I bought it from might have taken care of it it would still be a nice car. Just wish it had better fuel mileage for it to not have as much power as it should

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  Reliable. - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By Beautifultruce - September 22 - 10:06 am

  My job involves driving over an extensive area, and the mileage I get with my G5 is worth every penny that I spend on gas (30-32 mpg highway, 25-29 mpg city). The driver information system alerts are also very helpful - so far only needed for traction and tire pressure.

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  Formula WS6 - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By attack - September 22 - 10:00 am

  Best car Ive ever owned.

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  survived! - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By KT - September 22 - 10:00 am

  My dad had a 2001 Bonneville SE...it was a NICE car..he had someone hit him this past weekend..and it was totaled..however THANKS to the side airbag he survived..the police said he would not be here without it! he is going for another one..in 98 he totaled another 97 Bonneville in the SAME intersection and again was not his fault the car was in pieces and again he was ok..so if you want a bigger car...I suggest this one!

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  Bonneville not reliable - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By rnckr - September 22 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car that constantly breaks down. I am done with GM.

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  Not Happy - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Never another pontia - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I have a problem of overheating will idling. Nothing fixes this problem, flushing the system or new therostat hasnt work. Both power window have snapped, one at 8000 and the other at 38000.

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  head turner - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By e3usmcoif - September 22 - 10:00 am

  I love my 2004 GTP, its quick and I am thrilled with the interior I understand the complaints about the head room, but I am only 57" and I probably would not of bought the car if I was much taller. I dont like the fact that you have to turn on the fog lights every time you start the car, and that stupid light that comes on when they are on, how annoying at night. Also the "Stealth Mode" is cool, but my heads up display showes when my high beams are on so why the BRIGHT light! Its a distraction. But to end on a positive note, I love my new car and get compliments on it all the time, the 17" chrome rims are a great option worth every penny!