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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  Good Car for the Money - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Robert Hodges - April 23 - 1:40 am

  This car is a good value. The interior is comfy and it gets great gas mileage. Best of all I have only had minor problems with it and they have been really cheap to fix.

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  Love my vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Nervisnel - April 22 - 8:10 pm

  I love my 2005 AWD VIBE> I have never has a car that I loved as much as this one. Everything about it is perfect... Comfort. handling, gas milage. I have 700 miles on her now and just gets better every mile. I love the dash , seats. Well as I said. EVERYTHING>..

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  Wash and Wear - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By docta96 - April 22 - 7:23 am

  We have had a variety of AWD continuously since 1974 and this represents the best combination of all. It is an outstanding blend of economy, comfort, utility and reliability. We often drive long distances in inclement weather and the AWD Vibe handles everything exceptionally well and without drama or failure while allowing us to always arrive on time. This is my wifes favorite vehicle and she cares for it assiduously. I have recommended it to many others, along with the Matrix twin.

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  My fast, fun purple goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By patty - April 21 - 3:53 am

  I love my GTO. It is fun and I feel very safe in it. It is a head turner and a get way to start a conversation with other fast car lovers.

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  Cool Ride! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Wild Bill - April 20 - 6:23 pm

  Ive had my Solstice one month today and I have over 2100 miles on the odometer. The best 2100 miles Ive ever driven. I love my car, all my friends love my car and my wife likes my car. Im also meeting a lot of new people because of my car. This car does not drive like you would expect a small car to drive. The stability is great and it sure does hold those curves. There is not much trunk storage space but who cares! I just love to drive those back roads and stay off the freeways. I thought that it would bother me to have to drive my new car so much but Im having trouble staying out of it! I look forward to those warm, sunny winter days so that I can put the top down and cruise!

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  4 Doors Can br Sporty! - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By KensGT - April 20 - 7:00 am

  This car is a joy to drive! With the heads up display to the nice quality sound system. The car rides very well and handles 3 adults and 2 kids in good comfort and gets up and goes extremely well. The car is 7 years old and I must say it has held up well, Pontiac did a good job on this model. I give it 2 thumbs up for is looks too!

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  2009 Pontiac Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By mshuell - April 19 - 5:06 am

  Our 2009 Vibe now has 8000 miles. It has been perfect in every way. For a small engine, it scoots right along. At 75 mph on the highway its as smooth as glass. The car gets great gas mileage. 32 mpg in mixed driving and 35 mpg on the highway. I definitely bought the right car.

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  07 Grand Prix N/A - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kruzy - April 17 - 1:46 am

  3rd Grand Prix after owning an 01 GT, and an 03 GTP. The gtp was ballsier, but the 07 n/a really puts you in the seat just as hard upon acceleration. Body lean doesnt seem bad at all, and body design is nice.

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  More than Meets the Eye! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Samurai - April 16 - 2:43 pm

  The biggest bang for your buck! A refined machine that is easily underestimated. The exterior is sweet and the interior great. The interior design is made for the driver (that is the purpose of driving, right). I hate how the imports overly centralize the dials and in some cases the gauges right in the middle of the car. The interior is simple and not over done like the imports. Their designs tend to be a lot busier. The power is just right, handling great.

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  Fun, looks good but poor quality - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By CEH - April 16 - 11:10 am

  Bought the car new. Still like the car, but expensive to maintain. Have had lots of minor problems and some major ones. Water leaks around doors and trunk, lumbar support switch replaced several times, Bose radio led disappeared, heater fan replaced, headlight plastic replaced, power window switches quit working, auto feature on rearview mirror does not work, fuel pump replaced, brake light wiring shorted out, etc. Major problems: Car vibrates when accelerating. Dealer replaced HUBS and axles and motor mounts three times as well as brake rotors. Alignment did not help. New tires did not help. New wheels did not help. I just live with the vibration now.