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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  2008 grand prix gxp - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By DUANE - May 19 - 10:00 am

  2008 grand prix is the best car I ever owned, absolutely love driving it. To bad Pontiac is gone, maybe it will return one day. Love the looks and power of this car. The designer should be proud. "American power and muscle, with great looks"

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  Put all import van in shame - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By good Quality - May 18 - 2:13 pm

  Best Value comes in great quality. This SUV look alike van does not have the "soccer mom" image. Roomy interior and lots of cargo space. Enough power for highway and uphill driving. Fuel economy is better than Mazda MPV. Montana SV6 runs on economical unleaded gas vs Nissan Quest uses only EXPESNIVE premium unleaded gas.

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  G6 GT Coupe - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Tom M - May 17 - 3:06 pm

  First full day of ownership and I am thrilled. Put 400+ miles on it thru Chicago, Great Lakes lake effect snow and smooth newly paved roads in Indiana and enjoyed every minute. Responsive, great acceleration for merging, handles Chicagos horrendous perpetual construction with ease and great mileage (27.6) so far.Love this car- and it looks great too.

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  Wow - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GoaTlOver - May 16 - 11:06 pm

  After spending 6 years in Italy, I was looking forward to buying a new Mustang. Boy, am I glad that I found a GTO still sitting on the new car lot in early 2007. This is an absolutely outstanding vehicle. The 6.0 and 6 speed tranny are a blast to use on a daily basis and they still get respectable mileage. I really cant believe that GM could not sell more of these. Thats ok though, I got mine brand new and saved about $5000 off of the sticker price.

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  GO Buy a G8 NOW! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By gtocpa - May 15 - 3:03 pm

  This is a GREAT car. Believe everything youve read and more. If you drive this car, you will buy it. It is absolutely incredible and Id compare it to any YUPPIE mobile. I have to fight my wife on who gets to drive it!! Go buy this thing now and show GM that when you finally build it right, we will come back! My kids get up every morning and say hello to the G8 - its that awesome.

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  love it - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Ben - May 15 - 3:26 am

  My Grand Prix is the best car I have ever owned. I enjoy the comfortable ride along with the great gas milage. The power is always there if I need it.

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  Review - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Sonny - May 14 - 9:40 pm

  My GXP is a head turner with wht/gold tricoat paint. Fuel economy is poor in city driving, but performance and styling outweighs this big gas guzzling sedan.

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  Love my G8 GT - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By jshane111 - May 14 - 2:26 pm

  After owning foriegn for a while, I was leery about buying American again after being burnt by quality issue in the past. However, after test driving Acuras we tried the G8 GT and fell in love. The design, quality, and of course the performance are GREAT! I know I should have look for better gas milage, but when you can have this much fun, this much perfoemance, and still get 25 MPG what the heck. Its a great car at a great price, way to go GM!!!

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  Awesome Ride for the Price!!! - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By pontiac_lover - May 13 - 10:00 am

  I have had no trouble whatsoever with this car! Its a blast to drive... sporty, sleek, and comfortable.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BobMc - May 13 - 10:00 am

  This is a fun car to drive. Great power, speed and handling. Its a very good value as well. I think the car surprises people with its power.