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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  Great ride - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Don - December 15 - 7:00 am

  Bought in Jan and love the ride and quick steering response. I have one issue with the car. It sounds and feels like the engine "flutters" when I am cruising down the road, whether Im going 20 or 65MPH. As soon as I give it a little bit of gas it goes away and evens out. Dealer told me it was the norm for this car. Does anyone else have this issue? Getting about 19.8 MPG avg and performance and responsiveness is great..just have the flutter.

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  2004 Grand Am - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dan - December 14 - 12:00 pm

  This is a great car! Drives and handles like a charm. Not my first pontiac. Many more to come!

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  montana happy - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By joey123456 - December 14 - 2:00 am

  excellent ride and handling, comfortable, reliable.

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  2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By dozlert - December 14 - 2:00 am

  I love it! Already have over 1000 miles on it. This sucker goes...in a straight line as well as the twisties. It is a pain in the but to wait for the rear seat to go forward or backward. Once again, handling and acceleration is unparalelled with any other car I have driven...which is a few.

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  Awesome Car!!! - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GrandPrixForever!!! - December 13 - 10:20 pm

  I love this car!!! This thing has some great power! Not to mention a great stereo, great handling, Great ride, and awesome style. I would highly recommend this car to anyone! I would definely buy another one. :)

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  Very nice but can use 100 HP more - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By daVE - December 12 - 10:00 am

  Very awsome with the storm package...

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  2002 AZTEK ONE SWEET RIDE!!!! - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By AZTEKLOVER - December 9 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the top three vehicles I have ever owned from a Cadillac to a Mustang. Wonderful, forward thinking design,not a cookie cutter SUV.Turns heads!!Better gas mileage than otherSUV.Great sound system,cold air,lights everywhere!! Rides way smooth and quiet.Do not overlook the Aztek for an attention getter.My daughter(22)is thinking of trading her Grand Am for one,it is so sweet.Oh,with sunroof tho.You will not be sorry on this one.Will look new for years.

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  Great Car, Great Price - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jovinski - December 9 - 12:50 am

  Always like the Grand Am, and was looking for a GT when I found this on the lot. Drove it and was in love. It is just a great car! Tons of power, very comfortable. Im 65" and its got plenty of room for me. Seats are some of the best Ive ever had, had Caddys, Acuras and Saabs. The leather is top notch and shows no wear. Monsoon sound is incredible, but distorts a little when its way up. And probably could use more bass. For its size, it drives smaller and corners great! Highway miles are smooth and comfy and the seat heaters are great for my lower back. Climate is strong and works quickly. What a great car.

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  great car - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By B MAC - December 8 - 10:30 pm

  i recently purchased a GT G6 and I have to say that this car is awesome. You step on it and u fly, and with the clutchless manual you can redline it in every gear. The only thing that I have had a problem with so far has been the 6 disc in-dash cd changer. One day it was working fine then I got in my car and went to crank up the tunes and it wouldnt play the cd. CD CHANGER ERROR appeared on the display screen and then when i turned off the car, the stereo remained on. I plan on taking it back to the dealer for under warantee repair ASAP. other then that minor thing, its a fun car.

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  05 GT - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Griffin - December 8 - 11:06 am

  After trying out several Fords, Dodges, Chryslers, and Chevrolets, my wife and I kept coming back to the Grand Prix. It has the perfect blend of sportiness that she was looking for, and the roomy practicality that I wanted. Fully loaded with black leather, moonroof, CD changer, and Monsoon stereo (which is the best factory stereo Ive ever heard), you cant ask for much more in a family sedan. Interior ergonomics are unmatched by anything Ive ever owned and the heated bucket seats make long drives a pleasure. No problems to report.