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:

• 

  fair - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By friwrench - May 20 - 10:00 am

  nice car but i still like the bonnaville better

• 

  MY GXP - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GERALD BRAY - May 20 - 4:56 am

  Of all the words theres none so fine as these last three, i got mine. We love love love our gxp. Test drove an ss impala, theres no comparison. The suspension and brake differences in the gxp are destined to give this car a reputation head and shoulders above the rest.12 In town 20 highway came as a surprise, but were still happy with our choice. Comfort,speed, handling, and style are a cut above the rest. It will even outrun last years 5.7Liter gto.

• 

  2001 Aztek GT - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By billduffy - May 18 - 7:43 pm

  I like this car, Ive owned mine for about 3 months. Lots of interior room and features. Gas mileage is awesome for a big vehicle, Im averaging 24 MPG. With all the bad press about this car, I thought people would be laughing at me while I drive, but nothing like that has happened. Everyone I talk to about the car like it. I have some problems with build quality, but these problems should be easy fixes and be covered by warranty. This car has been great!

• 

  Great car - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TheWhiteGuyFromTulsa - May 17 - 7:16 pm

  i have one of these cars and they are fun to drive. i would recommend them to anyone

• 

  CompG Package makes big difference - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Aeroheadcww - May 16 - 1:00 am

  My GP is equipped with the CompG performance package which includes: Head Up Display, Tap Shift, higher gear ratios, stiffer rear sway bar, and red brake calipers, maybe a few other things. The gear ratios dramatically improve acceleration and the sway bar makes this thing handle like a dream. It still maintains a quiet comfortable ride on the highway but is rigid during spirited driving. My biggest complaint about the car is the shifting performance in standard automatic mode, it just doesnt downshift quickly enough and lets the RPM fall well below the power band before it switches to a lower gear. This is alleviated by the Tap Shift system which will let you shift manually.

• 

  Overall - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By Tim - May 13 - 2:40 pm

  I have had two Montanas both ext4dr the first was I feel the best one it was a 98 and It had 180,000 miles on it I bought it with 60,000 miles and only had to replace the map sensor no problems after that my 04 I have now I have just under 120,000 miles and have had Transmission problems with, fuel rail, injectors, coil,trans-axle,and interior flaws also I dont like the head light seals or the wiring for the taillight issues I replace the taillights and head lights almost on a monthly basis.

• 

  Love the car but too many problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By aczorn - May 12 - 10:00 am

  Replaced brakes(rotors and pads)at 19000 miles (warranty), power steering rack replaced at 30700 miles (warranty), replaced front struts and strut mounts ($1157.60) at 40308 miles, coolant light began flashing off and on because of a leaking intake manifold gasket. Had to replace it (918.00 - dealer absorbed the cost). Turn signal switch replaced - 139.15. Driver side window motor had to be replaced - 360.00. Brakes have been replaced (rotors and pads) twice in 2002. Instrument panel fuse blew. I am still paying the car note. Whats next?

• 

  Outstanding Value, a Few Minor Issues - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By bill - May 11 - 11:33 pm

  Ive owned my very fun-to-drive Vibe GT for ~2 weeks and so far I love it, although I agree with others that there are a few things that it could use improvements which keep it from being a 10. I love the styling compared to its competitors (much cooler looks compared to Versa, Matrix, Fit, 10 Mazda3[what did they do to this cars front end?]). I love the value; it has everything you need a few great extras, and you can get a loaded GT for ~$19K if you shop around (again better than the competition). Nice standard extras are Monsoon w/ XM radio, OnStar, steering wheel controls, leather accents, ABS, traction, 18" alloys. Also love the cargo versatility of the hatchback.

• 

  Yellow Jacket 6spd - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By RJ - May 9 - 1:03 pm

  This car has 1960s Muscle car performance with all the modern comforts. My last GTO was a 1970 and the 04 GTO puts it to shame in just about every way except for looks. The new GTO is reliable, fast, gets good milage (for a performance car) and is very comfortable. I drive this car all through the Michigan winter (traction control and all season tires make this possible with RWD). My zero down 24k 2yr lease is $300/month. A lot of car for the money.

• 

  Frustrated...but still love the car. - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By CRS312 - May 8 - 7:23 pm

  I bought the 2007 gt coupe edition brand new in late 06. Since then, I have had nothing but compliments on it. I really do love the car, but I had a recall on the door drains though, and now when there is a good storm, afterwards my speakers crackle and dont work right. I have been back and fourth with the dealership and they cant find anything wrong! They just keep replacing the speakers. If it werent for that I would absolutely love the car!!! everything else has been fine so far and there are 34,000 miles on it. Well you cant have your cake and eat it too I guess!