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:

• 

  so far not bad - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By birdhouse - August 30 - 12:40 am

  The car seems to be pretty good. I traded a 2001 honda EX 6cyl for it. My biggest complaint is that there is no light in the glove box (shame on you G.M.). I also do not like the high performance tires. I will be lucky to get 15,000 miles out of them. And they make high sounds when you hit any little thing on the road. The trunk popper is very user unfriendly. The steering is a bit unusual. In Florida we really dont need heated seats. That could have been an option. All in all, I like the car and time will tell the rest.

• 

  Great First Car! - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Lindsay03 - August 28 - 3:53 am

  This is my very first car, and Im still loving every bit of it. Though weve had to change the front brakes once at about 84000 miles and just replace the signal flasher (?), which was only about $150 (But that was doing the labor from my dad). Even though it has only about a 12 gallon tank, it still gets fairly good gas mileage. I figure I got about 19 to the gallon...could be worse.

• 

  Im Happy - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Happy - August 27 - 10:03 pm

  My 2007 Torrent is the first brand new vehicle I have ever purchased. I was used to driving a Camaro, but wanted something roomier and better in bad weather. I haver been very pleased with my Torrent. I get approx 22 to 23 mpg which I am happy with. I agree with everybody else in saying that the parking break and cup holders should be restructured so they could be used at the same time, and also the location of the cigarette lighter is hard to get to when you are using the cup holders. Everything else is GREAT! I would definitely suggest a Pontiac Torrent to anyone.

• 

  Theres something about it ? - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By John Logan - August 24 - 5:06 am

  I always was attracted to the "look" of the Vibe and theres still something about it that attracts me. After one year and 23,400 miles I have to say its a good little car. The gas mileage is good, traveling with 2 adults and 2 kids is comfortable. Its nice to see a American car company offering a somewhat affordable common sense little car thats reliable and sporty as well as functional. Even though its a Toyota at heart, which certainly isnt a bad thing ! better looking than Matrix...

• 

  2000 Grand Prix GT - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mark Bowles - August 23 - 6:36 am

  After 108,000 and five years, I am happy to report my Grand Prix has been very reliable. I am surprised based on Consumer Reports evaluations. This has been a great car!

• 

  My wifes car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Marshall - August 21 - 10:43 pm

  We bought this Vibe new in June 04. Its great for getting around town. Mileage is disappointing, but the short drives, automatic, and high silouette come into play there. Quality of construction seems good except for thin exterior paint...what we have come to expect with clear coat finish I suppose.

• 

  Pontiac Solstice - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Art Schuetze - August 20 - 3:00 am

  Truly a significant vehicle. It is tops in design. I loved the original Corvette, Mustang,T-Bird, and Cougar Convertible design and this is the most significant since then. It is a pleasure to drive. There is no perfect vehicle, but with the styling this one is a knockout. I am 66" and I fit decently in it. I tried the Miata when they first came out and there was no way I could fit in it. I bought the vehicle in Red at no extra cost. I had originally set myu eyes on a basic PT cruiser Conv. in Red, but they dont make it in Red, you have to pay an extra $6000 to get it in the tourning class. Hats off to Bob Lutz and Pontiac for a fabulous and resonably priced Roadster.

• 

  Okay for economic reasons - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Heather - August 18 - 11:53 am

  I bought this car in 2003 when I as a single mother who needed a new car. It was not the best decision I have ever made. The car is very uncomfortable and loud on the road. The gas mileage is great but I will not buy another one. There are better economic choices.

• 

  Great Vehicle - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Aztek in VA - August 17 - 10:00 am

  I upgraded from a 1998 Cavalier. The Aztek was a great price for an SUV-type vehicle. The Aztek offers a smooth ride and the 3.4L V6 provides the power. The exterior design was a turn off for me at first, but after researching vehicles and the more I saw the Aztek, the more I like the design. It looks very cool and I get plenty of compliments from friends and strangers.

• 

  Sunfire SE 2dr 2.4L - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Rick B. - August 17 - 12:40 am

  Car has served its purpose in the almost 10 years of ownership. The car has a pretty strong rust problem I dont notice on other Sunfires. Our body ground from the battery cable rusted out and that caused some wacky problems with dashboard lights. That was the only time it left me stranded and wouldnt start. The back speakers are an issue on all 99 Sunfires. Apparently the wiring breaks and then the rear speakers work when they make contact. Instead of finding the break, I ran new wires. We also have an oil consumption issue nobody can figure out without taking the heads off. Its been burning oil for at least 50,000 miles, about 1 qt for every 2000 miles.