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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  Poor interior design and quality - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Ed S/C - January 13 - 4:03 pm

  I bought this car because Consumer Report recommeded it. I cancelled my subscription. The location of the air and heater controls is a nightmae with an automatic. I have large hands. :-( Also get a scratch on the cheap plastic interior, it will never come out. I have never owed such a cheaply made car. Other than that, the paint came off, the brakes squeal, the front seat is a nightmare for comfort, Bottom line is that car really SUCKS and G/M should be ashamed to sell it.

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  Good van when its not in the shop - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By Randy - December 15 - 5:06 pm

  Bought used in jan 2005. Replaced rdm the first month. Steering rack alternator head gaskets a/c compressor evaporator coil wheel bearings x 3, 2 instances of broken wires to speed sensors replaced fluid in rdm replaced actuator for awd function. Good thing I was able to purchase the extra warranty. 2 bad I didnt get the 4 year plan.

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  Not worth what i payed for it - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By sullyhaute - November 26 - 9:10 am

  The interior design is cramped. I am only 6 ft. tall and I feel like i am way too big for this car. It will get up and go, but that is about the only thing good I can say, I have already had to replace turn signal bulbs, the paint is peeling off the front bumper and mirror covers. I had to replace exhaust clamps, I have to take it in for re-aligning. I would expect this from a old beater car. but this car still only has about 62,000 mile to date.

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  Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Derek - November 1 - 5:43 pm

  Do not buy! I bought this vehicle a year ago and have had nothing but trouble with it. So far Ive had to replace the intake gasket ($1000) head gasket ($1500), heater core ($500) and shifter ($500). I bought this vehicle at a reputable dealership thinking it would be OK, boy was I wrong. So far the tally has come to $3500 in repairs and of course the warranty covered nothing at all. Every review I read at the time said it was a great vehicle. It is anything but a great vehicle. Your better off getting something else

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  GM GOING DOWN HILL - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By DELGRECO - October 29 - 6:36 pm

  I received my new Solstice in Dec of 05. It does look good but thats the only thing good I must say. Ive sent it back to the dealer about 10 times with problems of water leaks and the rear end leaking oil they kept it for a month rebuilding the rear 3 times and decided that they couldnt fix it right that it would be better to change it. The other problem is the AM radio stations has static they tried to repair it but couldnt but instead for me to live with the problem. The only help GM customer service was willing to compensate is to pay for one month payment on the vehicle. What a smack in the face that was for that the car is paid for. Newer again buy GM .

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  Unreliable - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By maliki304 - October 22 - 2:00 am

  This has been the most unreliable car I have ever owned. In six months I have had to replace many things such as struts, washer pump, battery, alternator, along with several other lesser things. I will not buy another GM vehicle.

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  Dont buy one for the looks - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By melissa - October 13 - 3:33 am

  The first several months, it drove like a dream. I fell in love with the design. Big mistake. Back door sides have been popping off, transmission has been going out, replaced starter, keys get stuck in ignition, only the passenger window will roll down, the vechile now shakes when under 45MPH, twice a year the windshield wipers need replaced, no trunk light, console cup holders have fallen off. This all happened within 3-4 yrs. of having the car. I have always taken care of my cars, but no matter how good I treat it, everything keeps breaking. My rear view mirror fell off after several months. If you have money to spend then this is the type of car youll want.

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  Bad and expensive - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By pontiacsucks - October 4 - 5:46 pm

  This car has left us stranded on the road twice (60,000 - 70,000). First, instrument cluster failure ($650 repair). Second, ignition switch failure ($216). In between the transmission wouldnt shift from 1st gear. Cost $2450 to fix! It is a POJ!

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  Horrible! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Mom - October 3 - 6:16 am

  This car was so cheaply made. We had to replace the passlock system twice, fuel pump, drivers side window motor, something else under the hood that was $600 (My husband isnt home and I cant remember the name of it) and the list goes on and on. We have poured roughly 5-6 thousand dollars into this car since we bought it. On repairs that were required unless we wanted the car as a lawn decoration. Pontiac should have stepped up and recalled so many of these problems. I will never again in my life buy another GrandAm, or anything within that family.

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  GranDAMNED - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Stupid - August 24 - 10:00 am

  GrandAM is a nightmare to drive on wet and uneven road surfaces. The vehicle has a tendency to push on left turns and sometimes delivers an abrupt swerve when turning to the left on dry roads. This condition almost caused an accident on the PA Turnpike. GM dealers repsonse was the typical "couldnt duplicate condition" but refuses to remove the McPherson struts for thorough examination. What ever happened to the old reliable GM Corporation? As a diehard GM fan I am now looking to imports as replacement. Never thought I would see this day!