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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  I like his car more and more - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By M. Mikesh - September 17 - 9:26 pm

  My Vibe is a great little car, my first ever new car. I wanted a car with great gas mileage that would fit a 6 ladder, and was made in America. I like the fact that the Vibe drive-train and engine are made in a joint-venture with Toyota, which gave me more confidence in the cars performance over the long term. I want to drive this car for 200,000 miles, like I did with my 1990 Honda Civic. The Vibe consistently gets good mileage, has been nearly maintenance free for the first 50,000 miles, and still looks great. It seems slow when its loaded with 4 large passengers and going up a hill at 55 mph, but I can punch the accelerator and it will suck more gas and move right up the hill.

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  2002 Pontiac Grand AM GT - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mityhid - September 16 - 2:00 am

  The Grand AM overall is a very nice car. Other than brake rotors needing to be resurfaced at 41000 miles, and the fuel pump at 47000 miles, I have had no problems mechanically with the car. The fuel mileage is somewhat less than expected, I generally average about 20-24mpg. I have gotten 31mpg on a freeway stretch, but I have never seen mileage that high again.

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  Comp G Package - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Bob-onit - September 16 - 2:00 am

  Great car,highly recommend,fast,dependable,fun to drive

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  Never Again - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By HMB - September 13 - 6:36 am

  I have had my G6 for almost 3 years. It has 63K on it right now and the transmission slips/jerks sometimes when it switches gears. I have had it looked at 4 times and the last time they told me it needed a computer update and that would fix the problem. Hate to break it to them, but that didnt fix anything. PPl I talked to says it may be the trans fluid, but theres not anywhere to check it, you HAVE to take it to the dealership to have that checked. They said that wasnt the problem either. When you turn the car to the left the steering makes a clicking sound too. My CD player is starting to mess up on me, Im just tired of having issues with my car. Ill never own another Pontiac!!!

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  Practical, Sporty Looking City Transport - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Mark - September 10 - 8:33 am

  Ive had my Vibe for over a year. I am very pleased with its practicality. It replaced an Isuzu Amigo which was pure joy for 11 years. With the Vibe you get sensibleness - good gas mileage, surprising cargo capability, and a slightly higher (for a small car) seat height. Despite its sporty appearance, its no sports car, and it could use a little more power for mad city traffic. But when you figure in the good mileage, its generally worth the trade off.

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  Its back!!!! Go for it!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By rusty stevens - September 8 - 11:33 pm

  This gto made me feel young again! And, i am past 60! I owned the first model ever built! Cant beat the big v8 made by g.M.!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  pontiac gran prix - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mel ryan - September 8 - 12:13 pm

  I really like the car. Except for a few discrepancies I would give it a ten. Had to bring it back to the dealership three times for a water leak on the windshield, front breaks had to be replaced and a whistling noise from the engine. Noise was comming from the generator and not under warranty. It would cost me about three hundred dollars to replace or just put up with it. I chose the latter.

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  Montana SV6 has been great - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By BBRN - September 8 - 12:26 am

  We bought our van as a certified vehicle with 15,000 miles on it in 6-07. I travel extensively in my job in this van. Van now as of 2-09 has 81,000 miles on it. Only problem sensor for all wheel drive has gone out twice, first time the switch 2nd time the housing had to be replaced as well. warranty covered both times. This is a comfortable ride on the highway, goes great in snow. It will average from 18.5 to 19+ at 70 mph and I have gotten as as high as 22 mpg at 60 mph. However yes there could be more room between middle seats making getting to rear seats easier. The standard front console between front seats is a joke use aftermarket console. very satisfied with my SV6, like rugged look

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  Wifes car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jybo - September 5 - 10:00 am

  While the standard model with its automatic transmission will not win any races I still think this is an extreemly fun car to drive. I bought it for my wife and got the factory 17" wheels. This car was meant bought for her to get around town reliably and it does that very well. We have not had any trouble. Where it exceeded my expectations is in the handling, it carves the curves without complaint. The only issue we have had is open road wind seems to bounce it around pretty hadr.

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  brakes brakes - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jrr2002 - September 3 - 3:13 am

  its a nice car but therotars warp every 10,000 miles and the monsoon speakers quit! The chrome wheels are just wheel covers over the rim!!!!!!!! WHAT A JOKE