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:

• 

  I love my little Billy - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By aplvn - April 30 - 7:06 am

  I bought this car brand new from the dealer in 2007 even though it was a 2006. I love the power, and the looks. I added an aftermarket sunroof (it wasnt an available option). My first time at the drag races in anything worth racing and ran 13 flat in an automatic. Even though I love the car, I would never buy another one. I have had nothing but problems with this one. Current mileage is 14911. Last week a sprag in the transmission went out. A/C broke twice, plastic chromes on console and steering wheel bubble from heat, glove box snapped, makes clicky noises all over that dealership cant fix. Floor mat clips are bad design (replaces 6 times), needs a convertible seat, Blaupunkt stinks!

• 

  The best car ever - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Amanda - April 29 - 4:46 pm

  This is such a wonderful car. Its my baby I love it so much. Im so glad i picked this car. it was this or the chevy cobalt and i picked the pontiac G6. I thought there might be problems with it because its the first everbut there was nothing wrong with it.

• 

  Love it! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Bob - April 29 - 2:03 pm

  I love this car. I get the best of both worlds.The quiet ride of a standard car and can still go topless. No rag top to be cut. It has great power and rides great!

• 

  Switching To Ford or Foreign! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By TonyaHarding - April 29 - 11:33 am

  When the Aztek was introduced, it was love at first sight! I just HAD to have one! Six pricey years later, I cant wait to get rid of it. I gave it a 5 for reliability because its never broken down and left me stranded, but only a 5 because its been one thing after another with this vehicle. Three A/C condensers,odometer went out so had to replace ENTIRE display, heat/AC control went out, dual temp control went out, head gasket, gas gauge doesnt work, driver side window, black trim paint started fading and peeling away when 4 years old, roof rack clamps rattle in wind, taillights and center brake light weathered & cracked @ 4 years. 5th GM car AND my last! Ford or foreign next time!

• 

  Love the room...watch out for manifold - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Cold Weather Guy - April 28 - 8:26 pm

  Bought this van when we started having a family...its a perfect family vehicle. The EXT offers seating for 8 AND room for cargo. Have used it like a truck (with seats out) and of course as the family vanster on extended trips... have really been pleased with everything - except chronic problems with the intake manifold gasket. Original plastic part couldnt be torqued properly... extreme temp changes in northern climates led to expansion/contraction which caused leaks. Replaced manifold gasket at 47,000 and again at 66,000 mi (thankfully before antifreeze could gum up engine). GM has re-engineered the part (and assure this chronic problem has been fixed)... the second repair GM paid 80%.)

• 

  Ignition problem - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By RainaJoi - April 28 - 4:56 pm

  This is my second car. I bought it for the price and the fuel economy. I have a 5-speed and get 29mpg City. I would highly recommend it as a stylish alternative to the "bubbly" fuel economy cars. It rides beautifully and quietly for a standard. However, I have had it back to the dealer TWICE because of problems with the ignition and my keys not being recognized by the car. They said it was not a "recall" on the car, but there is a "bulliten" on this problem. So, beware.

• 

  Should have bought a CarFax - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Disappointed - April 28 - 12:30 am

  I bought my Pontiac G6 almost 2 years ago & absolutely loved it. My husband is 69" & could fit in it nicely, loved the sporty feel of it but you cant drive fast with the windows down because of the loud humming noise. About 6 months after, we began our many trips to the dealership for new struts, squeaky driver seat and now lower control arm and ball joint on both sides & swaybar. Im very thankful I bought an extended warranty. I have always owned GM vehicles but with the problems Ive had with this car and the trouble Ive had with more than one GM dealership, I will NEVER buy GM again and my grandfather and mother-in-law both retired from GM. This car was my worst purchase in my life!

• 

  Mechanical Difficulties - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Calyn - April 27 - 10:00 am

  I have driven the Pontiac Aztec for almost 3 yrs and I have had difficulty with the condensor for the air conditioner 2 summers straight. The condensor was leaking and cracked both times and had to be brought to dealership for repair of the same problem. The information lights continously come on and display inaccurate information. The air-bag light comes on and stays on. Outside of mechanical problems, it is a fun car to drive but I would never purchase another one of its kind and I would encourage not purchasing a car before it has been on the road for at least 2 years.

• 

  Jeremys 1996 Pontiac GrandAm GT - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jer Jer - April 27 - 10:00 am

  This car is the best ever!! I love it!! I bout this car in 1998 and it is the best! It runs great and it looks realy sporty!!

• 

  All Around Vehicle - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By joebenko - April 26 - 2:00 am

  Fun car to drive. Responsive to the wheel. Great small features such as automatic sound level change with highway speeed. Plenty of cargo room and easy to set-up. Unique design that everyone is now coping. When i first drove, we called it the butt-ugly car that was beautiful