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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  roberto - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By roberto9088 - July 30 - 11:00 pm

  Engine and transmission very good, very good handing. Interior materials very cheap, the seats are horrible and very unconfortable. The body paint need to be improved the quality. The rust is coming out already. I changed two of the four electric motor windows already.

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mrwenger04 - July 30 - 10:31 pm

  This is my second Grand Prix. Traded in 95 with over 200K (transmission started failing). Bought my 2004 with 33K in 2005. Now has 180K and engine still runs as smooth as when i purchased it. Transmission tends to slip when HOT. This car has had NO REPAIRS since purchased. I call my car THE ONE. She will never leave me stranded :) One down fall i will admit is the back seat. With a tall toddler and being tall myself i have to adjust my seat forward for him to have room. Great mileage since day one. I take great car of my car as well and hope to see 250K before i turn her in. Or maybe ill keep her and buy a 2008 with low miles. Love my Grand Prix :) wish they would make MORE!!!

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  Gone But Not Forgotten - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Big Grin Lover - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car with 39,400 miles on it and drove the car until the tranny gave out on it at 129,500 about 3yrs later, good car only problem before tranny gave out was a coil pack that went out at about 50,000 miles. Car still ran great after was involved in to accidents.

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  2005 aztec - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By cowboys25 - July 30 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this new aztec on the 14th of sept..I have 4 kids and we have driven this on 2 trips and love the way it drives..I owned a 2002 explorer that i traded for this and the aztec is more comfortable,rides better and is alot more fun to drive..The only draw back is the placement of the rear spoiler..

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  Grand Prix - Food for the Soul - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TommyMigs - July 30 - 10:00 am

  The new Grand Prix is driving excitement! Purchased for my wife, our GT2 has leather seating, sunroof and polished wheels. The new styling turns heads...the power and handling make the Grand Prix a pleasure to drive. With all of the rebates and incentives available, the 2004 Grand Prix is a great value!

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  2 Years & Still a Joy - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Dj ViP3R - July 29 - 8:23 pm

  I bought my 2003 Abyss Vibe GT in November of 2004 on an impulse while browsing dealerships. 2 years later and the car is still a thrill to drive! Acceleration is slugish at low RPM but the engine sings all the way to 8000 RPM. Cornering is substandard on the stock rubber but any decent store bought tire will make it a corner god. If possible, opt for the 17" wheels. Stopping with the 4 wheel discs is breakneck and pedal feel is solid. Controls inside are easy to find and cargo space is unreal with all the seats down. I am 65" tall and 4 people my size can ride in this car VERY comfortably. And for you audiophiles out there, this cab space begs for a speaker box.

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  Not for the meek - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By frago - July 29 - 4:00 pm

  Just scored a 2006 GTP Coupe with a six speed manual trans and it is an amazing little car. Super fun to drive with power galore. Massive interior yet its still very sporty. I am 6 feet 4 and with the seat adjusted all the way back my legs are fully extended and very confortable. I have the sun roof and still have great head clearance. Very slick car.

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  09 G8 GT Awesome !! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Jeff Zabo - July 29 - 1:53 pm

  I read all the reviews and I have to say that the G8 GT is all that I could have hoped for. Mileage is unbelievably good. Through the old miles driven divided by gallons used, my lowest tank has been 18.4 while the highest was 24.9(all highway, 70- 80mph). I look at the computers mileage, and its close, but usually higher than actual. The power is addictive. The car is quiet quiet quiet ! Fit and finish are really good, doors close with german exactness. This is a drivers car, it doesnt come with tons of gadgets that you dont need, about the only thing Ive missed is my auto dimming mirrors. The car is a hot rod in family disguise...love it...

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  Love my baby! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By katiek239 - July 29 - 11:15 am

  I bought my G6 in March and have put 3k on it so far. I bought it with 94k, and only had one owner who replaced pretty much everything that goes out at that high of mileage. Ive had zero problems since Ive bought it except my windshield cracked and I had to replace it. Its got all the features, 3.6L V6 engine, monsoon stereo, 6 CD changer, fog lights, power pedals, chrome wheels, etc. Definitely a head turner. Its a very sporty fun car for a daily commute. Its my first nice car Ive ever owned and Id definitely recommend for someone who is looking for a nice, cheap, sporty car.

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  Great Car! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BrittaniMcD - July 29 - 10:43 am

  I bought this car when my daughter was about 4 months for the extra space, a 2dr Civic just wasnt working out anymore! So far it has been a great car, it has about 176,000 miles on it but runs like its new! I would highly recommend this car, especially to new moms switching from a small car to a bigger one but still wanting something sporty!