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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  good for awhile... then, not so good.... - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By rp - March 11 - 9:56 am

  Own a 2007 fwd torrent - seemed like a good vehicle for first 20000kms, then - a lot of little/annoying things started to happen: - tire pressure sensor malfunction [still is, despite two trips to dealer]... signal lights work, but clicker has stopped working..driver door lock malfunction [cant autolock all doors]...traction control system is MORE OF A HAZARD THAN ANYTHING - I turn it OFF whenever Im driving in snow and ice [which is very often!]...parking brake / cupholder design is poor to say the least ... there are better vehicles out there for similar price.....my 2004 pontiac montana was a much better vehicle...

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  Aztek is OK! - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By 90 SALEEN - March 10 - 10:00 am

  Although I agree with most reviews that the Aztek is not a handsome vehicle, there are many qualities to a vehicle besides looks. We bought our Aztek to haul, camp, and have enough room to cart five passengers around. It does all of these for a price much less than anything else in its catergory. Overall, we have been pleased with the Aztek.

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  This stopped me from ever trusting GM - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By Mitch - March 6 - 3:36 am

  Ive owned it for 3 months and the intake gasket was done when I bought it but now its my problem. Head gasket just went and I pretty sure its going for scrap, as Im not rich! I had better luck with my rusty 91 Astro. All it needed was a y pipe. I would have been better to go with a Ford Taurus wagon for the family, oh well live and learn. I always wanted a Pontiac ever since I was little cause I new they were built better and stronger than GM but now theyre garbage and I will never buy Chevy or Pontiac again!

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  Not a bad car, but... - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By daxx - March 1 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my Pontiac for 7 years, and put over 120,000 miles on it. Its fairly comfortable, quick enough for daily driving and fun to drive. Reliability is... okay. Its had intake gaskets, power steering pump, fuel pump, water pump, power seat motors, front power windows replaced twice each, rear power windows replaced and a new BCM computer. It looks like junk with peeling clearcoat and disintegrating dashboard, but it starts first try and gets me to my destination with no fuss. Gas mileage averages mid-20s, but thats mostly my fault as I like making the V6 work hard.

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  Cmon Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Blair - February 28 - 2:36 pm

  Ive my car for about 10 months and have had many problems with it. A month after having it my car started dying even thought a month earlier a new battery was put in. I ended having to buy a new battery for it. Then in 11/08 the car started making noises. Every time I would accelerate or turn my car to the left. It sounded as if the suspension was about to come apart as still does it today. 5 days ago when I was driving the engine light was lit up and the engine pow reduced light also came up. My MPG reduced from 40 to 15 and my car eventually stalled. I took it into the shop and had it fixed. I drove it home and did it again and is now sitting in my drive way while I figure out what to do

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  Lots of room, poor fuel economy/engine - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By DandT - February 20 - 1:40 am

  This is my first GM product and my first SUV. Great inside - nice and roomy. Cant use front cupholder and e brake at same time. Only 21-22 mpg.Drives wonderfully - very smooth. Very quiet ride. A pleasure to drive until three weeks ago. Carbon buildup in cylinders at only 21,000 miles and Im not putting trashy gas in it. Something isnt burning right and GM wants to put a band-aid on it instead of finding the cause of the carbon build-up. Ive been without my vehicle for three weeks. Way too new to be having problems.

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  Serios coil, plug and onbard computer problems - 2009 Pontiac G3
  By g3_neveragain - February 19 - 12:12 am

  DON"T BUY THESE CARS!!!! Yes, they look nicer than the Honda Fit and Yaris, and mine even came with power windows, moon roof, on-Star, sports interior and stylish wheels, BUT it is all show and no substance. The car is not even 3 years old and has had the PCM computer changed (the computer that controls EVERYTHING on the car - and would cost around $1000 if not covered by warranty, the ignition coil changed twice (each costing around $300 if not covered by warranty), and the oxygen sensors changed (each costing around $300 if not covered by warranty). Look online and the problems with the ignition coil, spark plugs and oxygen sensors are commonplace. I WILL NEVER BUY A GM AGAIN. Wake up GM!!

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  Nothing but headaches from day one! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Barb - February 8 - 12:06 am

  Purchased this car for my daughter. Have had to do 3 major things that ran over $1,000 to it and now it wont pass emissions. Plastic inside is cheap and cracks easily, headlights are always foggy not matter what we do. Even purchased extra 2 year warrenty, not worth the paper written on. See tons of them on the road always in red. Must of been a popular color that year. I think we got the lemon, should have painted it yellow. Will stick with Chevy or Buicks from now on. Also will have the next one researched. Owning this car is like having a piggy bank you just keep putting money in but never get anything back. It is hopless. 2 more years to pay on, thats the sad part.

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  dont buy - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GMSKS - February 6 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has had issues since it was first purchased. Replaced 4 electric motors for the windows in the first two years of having it. Radio went bad just as the warranty expired (Pontiac did go ahead and replace though). Now engine acting up and dealership cannot determine problem. Next time, buy Japanese.

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  Whats up with the radiator - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Pat - January 31 - 10:30 am

  When we got this car it had 300,000 miles on it. It had set under a tarp in a garage for the past 3 years. Within a month I had to replace two tires. Within two months I had to put in the shop for almost two weeks for radiator problems. Major overheating especially in slow traffic and while idling. Shop changed three or four things and cleaned out radiator. Its still overeheating. Also we have water coming into the car from under the dash especially when raining. Windshield was replaced; didnt help. Now we;ve lost two window motors. It gets me from A to B and gas mileage is great but Ill never have another. Its not worth the $2200.00 I have to pay.