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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  Would buy one again - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By MAJ - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I havent seen any other car out I would like better than my Grand Prix. Very Responsive Engine- fun to drive. I plan to keep this car for a long long time. I feel it is built to last also which was important to me since I dont chance cars often

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  gas howg - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By booo booo - July 10 - 10:00 am

  great car uses to much gas no way it gets past 16 miles per gallon

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  Sweet Bonnie - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By ProvemWrong - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I traded a Regal for the Bonnie. so glad I did. This car is more stylish, great comfort, excellent layout inside and out, the butt warming seats and independent climate control keeps the old lady happy, better handling and suspension with more power. Lots to enjoy from the Dash lighting to the leather comfort ride. Easy cruise... XM Radio and moon roof. Great car.

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  Best yet - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Emil - July 9 - 11:53 pm

  We drove mini-vans for years& didnt need 3rd.seat anymore.We looked at many small wagons & found the vibe superior for room for the price.Have averaged 33.4 MPG for 4200 miles- city&highway.Very quiet-no wind or road noise.Shifts smooth with plenty pep-cruises at 70 MPH with ease.Have not been back to dealer for any problems.Too bad GM is quitting one of the best cars they have had.

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  i love my van - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By ben reed - July 9 - 8:36 am

  this van has only needed one repair a fuel pump but my old caravan was a piece of crap i put a tranny a head gasket a fuel pump and a new sensor in the heater i would recommend the pontiac not the dodge

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  sporty yes, quality **NO** - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By mattyvp - July 8 - 4:25 pm

  i dont know how to feel about my g6. (im more of an import person) i have an 07 GT with the 3.9 V6 (240 hp) it gives me many reasons to hate it but i cant! its got an extremely cheap dash and poor quality, but that engine and awesome styling makes me forget. i only have about 22,600 miles on mine and only 3,000 of those miles are from me, so nothing has gone wrong YET, but the g6s track record isnt promising! the car rattles to hell, and ive come to get used to it, but its semi rough ride enhances all the rattles. also when i pull into reverse the suspension squeaks and the car shakes, this is normal now but scary at first. it sounds like the maybe the tie-rods? they constantly go on these

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  Good performing sedan - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By tim - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car because I needed a four door car due to my expanding family. Didnt want a plain Jane car. I really love the styling of this car. It has everything I need. Power is great, plenty of room, decent gas mileage, when I keep my foot out of it. Had some steering noises in which the dealership fixed under warranty. This car proves driving to the grocery store doesnt have to be boring.

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  Low Fuel Eonomy in town. - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By krazzyh27 - July 8 - 10:00 am

  I just bought this car used from a rental dealership. I love the car except that I am getting terrible gas mileage in town! Only 13-15mpg. (I have an occasional lead foot.) On the highway, this car is superior, getting between 25-35mpg. I do 90% town driving though, so this is a little frustrating for me. I owned two older Ford Taurus before and this car handles much better but it is getting about the same game mileage as the dinosaurs I traded in on it. My husband and I are 58" and 59" and we have decent room in the front seat and my daughter is 510" and has just enough in the back seat. Not much room for extras. Car seats 4 comfortable, a 5th smaller person "touching arms".

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  4 wheel motorcycle - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Virgil Wallace - July 7 - 11:31 pm

  Im 68 and was looking for a fun, great looking car like a Cadillac xlr or Plymouth Prowler or maybe a Can-Am motorcycle. I didnt think I could fit into a Solstice but found that I could. The gxp is a hot rod and an event to drive. It rides and drives better than the xlr and the prowler at much less cost. I just cant help punching the turbo... what a blast. I could easily get myself in trouble with the law. Many people complain about the power window swithes being hard to reach... if you reach across your belly with your right hand they work well.

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  I love my V-Bay - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By My V-Bay - July 7 - 7:43 pm

  I love my car. I bought it 01/2007 and have put 5k miles on it. It goes like 80 miles before it hits under the F on the gas tank. Gave a 7 for build quality due to the noise when driving on rough surface. I bought base model - and love it. Car does really well - fits my small and large friends who are 300+. Car accelerates quickly. Looked at Matrix and Caliber which are in same class as the Vibe. Looked at the Toyota Yaris as well. Took this car for test drive and bought it same night. This was our 4th car from the dealership and are very happy with it. Hope to keep it for many years