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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  pros and cons - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jjp - December 3 - 10:00 am

  great handling good gas mileage sport car feeling, good response comfortable seating, front and back if you are not over 62. three pontiac grand prixs owned in the family. a great coaster that saves gas.

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  To my surprise!! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By carolyn stack - December 3 - 5:43 am

  I love driving my new G6 convertible it has great pickup. its fun to drive, i can talk on my cell phone with the top down and hear perfectly clearly. The wind resistance is awesome. i think it has to do with the front windshield..i was also surprised at the truck space with even with the top down. i love that it is a hard top, it maykes all the difference, even with the top of it has a ton of room inside back and front and its very stylish

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  2nd Vibe - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Lee Blanton - December 2 - 8:36 am

  We just bought our 2nd Vibe! The ride quality, solid feel, gas mileage and cargo capacity of my wifes Vibe just couldnt be beat. I drove a base front wheel drive but it just didnt have the same solid feel. We bought our first Vibe last year in April and have been very pleased. Great cars and fun to drive!

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  Love it - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Matt - December 1 - 5:03 pm

  I did a lot of research about this car before I decided to buy. Great ride and drive. Seats are as comfy as you will find. Great car all around, one of very few cars that is comfy on a long trip. Fuel Mileage is about 20.5 on a long trip with cruise at 75.

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  Great 1st Vehicle - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GTGuy - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as my first new vehicle and ordered it before it was in the showrooms. Still drives like a dream without any problems. Sporty, reliable, and fun. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Love My Grand Am - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ricknj56 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Have 102,000+ on it and it still runs almost as good as the day I brought it home. Power Window and Alternator had to be replaced at my expense, but thats all the expenses I have incurred other than normal maintainence (Oil, brakes, tuneup, etc...)

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  I Love My Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By theonlydwm - November 30 - 2:00 am

  The Pontiac Aztek has lived up to all my exspectations. This is an excellent vehicle. I would purchase it again. I realy hope Pontiac keeps it in the future.

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  I love Pontiacs - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jennifer Ann - November 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is comfortable, it has power if needed. It is roomy, the trunk is large.The adjustments for the seats are easy, the lumbar adjustment just even more comfort. Do not have to use best gas as in my previous Grand Prix GPT Supercharged.The radio is like listening to live performances. The handling is easy. Not too big for parking. This is my fifth Pontiac since 1982.

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  No more soccer mom image - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By autojudge - November 27 - 8:20 am

  Love this VAN/SUV. Great quality. Efficient gas mileage and plenty of power on hwy. Spacious interior with plenty of cargo space.

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  380,000 KM and Passing it down. - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By pilotauto - November 26 - 5:06 am

  I purchased my 2003 Aztek new in the spring of 2003..I guess I,m one of the weirdos that like the styling..that is what attracted me to this vehicle,when I test drove it and saw all the cool little features,and how much room it had..well it spoke to me,so I bought it and,and have "0" regrets in fact it is without a doubt the best vehicle I have owned At 320,000KM I did have to have the intake manifold gasket replaced....but at 380.000KM she runs like a top.I oil sprayed(undercoated her from new,and every year after,and used 5W-30 Full synthetic Motor oil from Day 1 now my daughter is going to have it I only hope the new vehicle I purchased gives me the worry free long service the Aztek has.