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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  NO PROBLEMS SO FAR ALL HIGHWAY MILES - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jon Miller - November 24 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car with 64,000 on it. As of 2/11/03 it now has 106,000 miles on it. I drive 70 miles a day just to work ALL highway with cruise set at 71mph. Still has factory trans fluid, coolant (dexcool), and spark plugs. My only problem was the alternator which went at 79000 miles - $100 bucks and 10 minutes and it was fixed!!! Brakes had to be re done - but they were factory originals at about 81000 miles. Still burns tires if need be (with trac control off of course)!! The key is following the manual for oil changes!

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  2005 GTO Sport Appearance Package (SAP) - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By chuckdi - November 23 - 1:19 pm

  I bought an 05 GTO with 18K miles with the sport appearance package or SAP which includes quad exhausts, cool side skirts, SAP front bumper and grills. Paint is Cyclone Gray. Added a JHP color matched gage pod for volts and engine oil pressure, chrome tail lights with red LEDs, chrome aluminum wheels, GM Performance high flow oil pump, headers and 160 degree therm. Use ALT friction modifier to engine oil (6 oz.) and 1 oz. to power steering. ALT claims 48% reduction in friction. ALT is Advanced Lubrication Technology. Removed rear spoiler and painted trunk lid. At 54K miles, replaced rotors and pads and replaced auto trans fluid and differential fluid with GM friction modifier.

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  Sweet. - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Geo - November 21 - 9:36 pm

  Love the car. Replaced a G8 GXP. Very refined. Very spacious. Very quick. Terrible in the snow. I will need to buy snow tires next season for the first time in 30 years.

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  Best designed van - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By carsmart - November 21 - 6:46 am

  Best price and best design. Plenty of power, great fuel economy and uses only regular unleaded fuel.

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  2008 GP GXP - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By awos - November 21 - 4:30 am

  I have had my red GXP for 3 1/2 yrs now. She got 48,000 miles on her and no problems, here that Consumers Report, Car & Driver and rest of critics. The car preforms day in and day out. Fast, comfortable and reliable. I am 62" and theres plenty of room Interior is standing up better than expected.

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  very happy man! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By very happy man! - November 20 - 3:00 pm

  I bought this car in Philly and i live 2.5 hrs north of that. It is AWESOME, mine is liquid red with black and red leather interior. I actually stayed overnight at a hotel in Philly and waited for this one to come in with every feature you could get. It drives like is has a grip to the road like no other, I test drove a BMW 3 and 5 series, a CTS and a LEXUS and this ONE came out on TOP! I lOVE THE HORSEPOWER!

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  2003 Bonneville with 160,000 miles - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Sean - November 20 - 5:50 am

  I am 18 years old and this was my first car. I bought the car two years ago with 130,000 and it ran great. I still have the car and its still going strong with 168,000 miles. The only thing i have had to do with it is scheduled maintenance (oil changes, balancing tires, etc). Fuel economy is great for a 6 cylinder. It has a very smooth ride, and i like the comfortable leather seats. It also rides quite well at 120 mph. One of the only things i do not like about this car is that it is quite heavy, and does not stop as quickly as many other cars I have driven.

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  Drive a GTO forget your BMW!! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By NoBMWforME - November 18 - 12:20 am

  I sold my BMW to get this car. I took a bath on the BMW resale, as they do not hold their value (mine had only 34K miles after 5 years!) The GTO has been a fantastic car. I find the styling appeals to me and my family and is, to us, more mature and, say, european rather than screaming "LOOK AT ME" that some others need. I get more than my share of looks from those that know what it is. I replaced the goofy rear spoiler with a more sedate spoiler. I love this car!!

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  Awesome!!!!!!!!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Amygirl24/bigmikey3 - November 17 - 2:26 pm

  When we first saw this car my husband wanted it from the start. I must say I really didnt like the looks of it so we looked at something different. I listened to my husband and we bought it. However, I must say, I am in love with it now. The handling of it, its looks, everything. I cant say one bad thing about this car. I would buy another one today. My hubby wants the GTO now. I have never been big on GM cars but I must say they did good with this one.

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  After 12 years - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By David in PA - November 17 - 2:10 am

  Nice looking car, paint still looks great after 12 years. Previously owned a 1988 SSE. Replaced original two position sport struts with Monroe Reflex after 75,ooo miles. Reflexes are great! Avg 16 mpg city and 26 mpg highway. Traction control is nice in snow. Intake manifold gaskets leaked at 55,ooo then again at 102,000 miles. Luckily engine wasnt damaged. Transmission replaced at 75,000 miles because trans yoke body went bad. Car would surge at highway speed when going up a slight incline. Theres a tech bulletin on this but no recall. Overall I really like the car.