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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  You CAN fix ugly. - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By popeye2347 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Like most people the wife and I thought it was the most ugly car on the market in 2001. Fast forward to 2003. We needed a new car, and after much consideration the Aztek was one of the top contenders. One drive convinced us that this was the car for us. Using Edmunds.com we found a good used 2003 and are very satisfied with our Aztek. Beauty is in the eyes of the beholder.

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  A Surprise To Me - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By buddyrtr - June 27 - 2:00 am

  As a diehard pickup driver, Im still surprised that I bought an Aztek, but Ive never regretted the choice. This is the most versatile vehicle Ive ever owned. I can haul a load of paneling, take my wife out to dinner, and go camping with the grandkids at the lake - all in the same vehicle. Ive driven it over 31K miles in 17 months and I still love the comfort, the great handling, the peppy performance, and the great gas mileage (I average about 23mpg in town and 29mpg on the highway).

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  Awesome - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By darklord752 - June 27 - 2:00 am

  It handles great. even though it is only a v6 it has great power. I love these cars.

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  Terrific Sport Utility Wagon (SUW) - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By doc science - June 27 - 2:00 am

  Vehicle came with few flaws in its build/design. Engine noise is greater than expected and there is vibration from engine revs that are felt accelerating, But,t does not deter me from loving this cars looks, handling, safety, comfort and fuel economy. I now have 3400 miles on it. City mpgs = 24- 25 & 33.8 highway. No way youll get the posted 29 mpgs in town. Interior is nice, seats give great back support on long rides and everything is "ergonomically correct". Visibility is very good. This vehicle is much roomier/bigger inside that one would imagine looking at it from the outside. I give this vehicle 2 thumbs up because it does it all.

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  Vibe Review - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By debdeb - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I love my Pontiac Vibe. I am a 48 yr old female, and my daughter is 15. I wanted a car we BOTH liked, because this will be her car next year. I know it is called a cross-over utility vehicle but people are always asking if it is an SUV or a station wagon. What do YOU think???

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  Buy a Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By KRB - June 27 - 2:00 am

  The Vibe and the Matrix are basically the same car. Up until 2003 I was a faithful Toyota consumer; not after seeing the Vibe. I bought my Vibe 4 days after it was introduced to me! I love it!!!

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  Vibe Review - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Jill Jackson - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We have had our Vibe for a year now and have been COMPLETELY satisfied with the car. It has been a pleasure to have a new vehicle that we have not had to keep taking back to the dealership!!!!

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By PViber - June 27 - 2:00 am

  We bought a Vibe for our teenage daughter just before she left for college. Its unbelievable how much it holds with the rear seat folded down! Its a sturdy, safe car, and we feel good about her driving it.

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  my vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By j. tracey - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I brought this vehicle in Sept 2002, trading in a 2000 Chevy Cavalier. I loved the test drive and came home with the Vibe. I took the Vibe on a road trip to the New England states via a scenic route thru the mountains on back roads. It handled wonderfully and got great gas milage on the trip 33+mpg the whole trip. Its the perfect car for me and my auto insurance went down almost a $100.00 per year. Id buy another Vibe in a heart beat!

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  Love my vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By nosredna - June 27 - 2:00 am

  I have always driven big cars, Cadilac, Chev Lumina, Chev suburbans, my wife said try it out. I drove it but said it was too small. A week later trial drove again. Needed a car so thought I would try it. Fell in Love. Use it to drive all over grass delivering stuff on Golf course. Never out of room with lay down seats. A real blast, and a head turner also. Fun to drive, and great to haul everything.