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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  Most Misunderstood Automobile - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By Robison - June 13 - 10:00 am

  My 2001 Firebird is my 3rd Firebird. Admitedly a niche automobile, as a 52 year old Engineer, I find the 4th generation to be solid, realiable, and a blast to drive. The 200Hp V6 is plenty strong and though not a Transam, I find the average person doesnt know the difference. GM failed to properly market fun features like T-tops and how well the 4th gen are sealed against water leaks.

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  Only Bonnevilles for me! Bring it back! - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By mary ann - June 11 - 7:13 am

  I had a 1995 Bonneville that I loved. I was getting to the point of considering a newer car and when I heard they were discontinuing the Bonneville, I had to track a leftover down! I love my 2005. It has the coolest interior - a cockpit style and it very comfortable to drive. I have to make a lot of 6 hour round trip drives and I love my Bonneville! I keep my cars about 10 years so I hope by 2016, theyre making Bonnevilles again - without changing a lot about them!

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  Best Van Ive Ever Had. - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By Desert1540 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Pontiac Montana, a 2004, and I love everything about it. Ive had almost every kind of US built vans in my life and this it by far the most reliable, comfortable and fun to drive. Better then any Ive had before and I even love the way it looks, unlike some of the other ugly vans on the road these days. Its got all the goodies that I love, even a DVD player... Its great... I wouldnt have any other mani van in my garage.

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  My Baby Blue Grand AM! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Mason420 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  I love my pontiac Grand Am....my only complaint would be that the window regulators in these cars have got to be recalled....other than that ITA ALL GOOD!!

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  great car!!! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By n396321 - June 10 - 10:00 am

  Regardless of model, the pontiac delivers a sporty driving experience. Spring for the GT if you are a serious driving enthusiast. Otherwise, you may find the standard V6 more comfortable. Its smooth and very stable.

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  feel like a kid again - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By bill45005 - June 9 - 11:13 am

  Bought this car , a week ago and WOW!!!! I have had my fair share of great fun machines over the years , just to mention a few , 65 GTO convertable , a triumpth gt6, 69 firbird transam,a grifith (289 hi po with webbers etc it was a rocket ship)etc then I went into my big 4 wheel drive phase lol, the last of which was an avalanche 3/4 ton with 8.1 motor, so I have had experance with many hipo machine , but have never had any more fun than this car has given me . it is the scca model 2.4 5 m I bought it for a resonable cost and it only had 7,000 miles on it and gm certified car it is absolutly flawless . The fun I have already had is great ,top is not a big deal to put up or down

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  Phat Girl By Rob - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Rob Laughlin - June 8 - 1:23 pm

  This car is hot.... She turns heads everywhere she goes. She has better curves than alot of models. My wife took it to wash and a guy stopped to ask her what kind of car it was and said he had never seen one. She said it was his lucky day. While still trying to dry the car off a girl and guy apologized for staring and she that was ok because 3 fellas across the street were doing the same. Great Car!!!!

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  Sweet Ride - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Mikey - June 8 - 11:56 am

  I bought this Pontiac Vibe used with 48,000 miles on it, and purchased an additional 48 month/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage warranty from my Toyota dealer. I average 27 MPG mostly highway miles, but would probably get better mileage if I did not keep the speedo at 80 miles per hour. I love the ride after driving a jittery midsize pickup truck for 6 years. I have owned cars from just about every company out there, and I can honestly say I have never been more pleased after 5000 miles of driving. This car meets all of my driving needs and then some. The fit and finish on this 48,000 mile car are still as new. I love it.

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  Love it! so why dont others - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By ianearthstarr - June 7 - 4:16 pm

  I just Love my Aztek and the dealer tells me Aztek owners all feel strongly about them. I like the "Tiger ready to pounce" exterior look and so does my fiance. She bought a Red Vibe and now that I have this vehicle she keeps trying to drive it and leave me withthe smaller car. We can fold the seats all the way up and stow 2 bicycles in the back to go riding on the Cedar Valley Nature trail, and then fold them down and take anotrher couple out to eat that nite. It handles well and has enough get-up to meet my needs and the gas milkage is acceptable. I fail to understand why reviewers say it is awkward to handle as most owners like the interior comfort and handling.

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  Love this thing................... - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Daryl - June 6 - 12:36 pm

  Nice car. I hope to drive this till it drops. I have a peppy 6cyl convertible. Very tight. speedy and responsive. It is beyond me why this car didnt sell better.