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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  Third Times the Charm! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ncix1 - March 22 - 1:06 pm

  As this Ameicans love affair with SUVs wanes, it was a pleasant suprise to test drive a "real car". After having owned (okay leased) one of the first 200 supercharged GTPs off the assembly line for the 1997 model year and later trading that for a limited edition "Daytona 500" GTP the new GXP comes out way on top. It is a shame I had to stumble accross it while the wife was test driving the new Soltice. She also is impressed, with the looks, power and feel of our new Grand Prix. If she wasnt Id be looking at convertible "garaging" the rest of the winter out. Pontiac states you may not be happy with the "beasts" snow manners, quite the contrary in the 3-4 inches we got caught in.

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  Love my G6! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Tiffany - March 20 - 7:30 pm

  I am very happy with my G6! I purchased the car in January and havent had a second thought about. This is the first car I have purchased on my own, and it was a very good experience. I would highly recommend the G6 to others. Just be careful, it drives very fast!!

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  Lemon - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Lemon Solstice - March 20 - 8:06 am

  Maybe I am the only one, but I have had MANY issues with this vehicle. Paint rubbed off under the hood, misaligned body panels, paint chips on door due to body panel alignment. A LOT of top leaks, interior squeaks, passenger seat rubbing against door, top making a lot of noise (not wind noise), gas gauge not functioning properly. Knocking sounds from motor, anti freeze leaks, and last but not least power steering leaks. some of the issues have been fixed, others are still pending, and some I am told are "normal". Other then all the problems I love the car

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  This car is sweet - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By nicman18 - March 20 - 2:43 am

  This car was one of the most fun little compacts I have ever driven and I would take it over any import any day

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  Problems...problems...problems - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By Bbechtel - March 20 - 2:00 am

  Want a "nickel and dime you to death" vehicle? Buy one of these. Both headlight covers have fallen off, $180 per light, intake manifold gasket blown after 32,000 miles (part was on national backorder for months), $800.00 to fix. Driver side window disfunctional. Clock light in radio not working, had to replace entire radio, $350.00 to fix. No satisfaction from GM, should be a recall on the headlight covers, everone is having problems with them. Should be a recall on the intake gasket, none as of yet. Id never buy another one of these.

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  Love My Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Aztek - March 20 - 2:00 am

  This SRV comes loaded with features which are standard on the AWD model not commonly found on competing vehicles for less money. Take advantage of the incentives now before the new year.

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  nice car - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By pettkej - March 20 - 2:00 am

  My car has ran like a champ. I havent had any problems and looks sporty and decked out for shows... great car

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  It just wont die - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By L Kampf - March 18 - 7:46 pm

  My Montana has 430000 K on it and and its still driving with out any problems, and its not like we took very good care of it. The mechanic bet us that if we dident take it for an oil change every 10000k it would die before 100000k, suffice to say he owes use 4 dinners now. All the interior instrumints are broken/ falling appart. The screne for the radio/ clock wont work. knobs on the rear fan speed fell off at 120000k but in the end people who buy vans really are not looking for anything that can get them and their cargo/ passengers from point A to point B, and this van is fantastic on it.

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  Finally Rid of It!!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Former Owner - March 18 - 12:46 am

  I just traded my Grand AM in this week. I had to replace the brakes within a month of the warranty expiring. The drivers power window conked out at 20,000 miles, luckily was covered by the warranty. At 40,000 miles the AC quit. This would have been a $1,400 repair bill, so I just suffered the heat in the summer. ( I live in the Northeast where its cold most of the year, so I was able to live with that). More recently, the radiator needed a $500 repair and 2 weeks ago the catalytic converter went out. Other minor things like leaks of fluid started. Including the AC, I had about $3,000 worth of repairs to make. with only 65,000 miles on it. Never again General Motors!!!

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  Brakes and Rotors - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Ben - March 17 - 2:00 am

  The quality of this car is highly unacceptable to me. Within the first 44,000 miles, this car has gone through 3 sets of rotors and three sets of brakes. GM considers rotors a "wear item." If you have not replaced your front rotors and your mileage is above 20,000 miles, prepare to replace them soon. This car performs great, is comfortable, and is very fun to drive. If GM could produce quality rotors, this would be the perfect car.