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:

• 

  My l997 Pontiac Grand AM SE V6 IS A 10 - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Pamela Brandt - January 8 - 5:23 pm

  I bought my 1997 Pontiac Grand Am SE brand new from the dealer. It has been a wonderful and reliable vehicle. This V6 3.1 liter engine vehicle never breaks down, body style is sharp, made very well. It drives as smooth today as the day that I drove it out of the showroom.

• 

  Great car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ohiocpa - January 6 - 2:00 am

  After 6-1/2 years and over 90,000 miles, this car is still running great and still looks great. I had to replace the fuel pump last year (approximately $700), but it had over 85,000 miles at the time. Other than that, Ive had no problems with this car. Other people who have borrowed my car comment about how easy it is to drive and how well it handles.

• 

  American Muscle for a 2004 Family - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By XSQUID - January 6 - 2:00 am

  The GP comp group is finally an alternative to the grossly overpriced BMW. Though the sporty GM lacks European refinement, it is a godsend compared to GMs of past. The car handles great for a front driver and easily runs with a 5 series on the interstate. Performance will be its strong point. Comfort for adults in the rear is minimal, but who really cars. You buy the GTP model for the cockpit performance...This is a drivers car.

• 

  Feel the Vibe - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By C.Hade - January 5 - 5:53 pm

  Great cross-over for the money, lots of fun to drive, handles very well, very good braking system and well built! Fuel efficient, nice int. and ext. styling. The kids can get in and out of the vehicule with ease in the rear seating area.

• 

  06 Pontiac Goat -- awesome - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By RidgeGoat - January 5 - 4:56 pm

  What a fun car to drive. I wanted a daily driver with some kick. Have had all the BMWs,Mercedes,Audis etc.... This car is power (400HP). Its just a great, comfortable car. I would rate it 10 in everything except gas milage (of course), I drive it 70 miles a day and its a pleasure. Has a great engine rumble to it. Stereo is pretty good, I do miss a compass and outside temp (loking to buy aftermarket rear view mirror that has it built in). To sum it all up, this car makes driving what it should be FUN! Plus there are loads of aftermarket goodies to buy. Go get one a have the next american classic. Sorry to see Pontiac saying goodbye to this rocket.

• 

  Great car - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Dan - January 4 - 6:10 am

  I was looking for a coupe so I checked out Nissan, Honda and Toyota. They all were ok but something just didnt feel right with any of them. I was driving past a Pontiac dealer and spotted the G6 coupe and it was love at first sight. It had everything I was looking for and more. Once I took a test drive and talked price I was sold. I paid $8-10,000 LESS than I would have paid for the Nissan, Honda or Toyota. Once I started driving it and checked my gas mpg I couldnt believe it. On the highway Im getting 28-30 mpg and city is 23-25 mpg and it isnt even broken in yet!! As a added benefit the car is made in the USA, it looks like American workers can do a good job too.

• 

  I still love this car! - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Nancy - January 2 - 3:16 am

  I purchased this car new and have been driving it for 7 years. With the rear spoiler and power sunroof it is very sporty and lots of fun to drive. Very dependable and handles well.

• 

  My New Sunfire! - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Debbie - January 1 - 11:00 pm

  I had a 1996 Sunfire for almost 10 years. It had 235,xxx miles on it when I traded it and it still got 32-41 mpg and loads of pickup!!! I loved the little car - had very little problem with it, but "her" age made me want to get a new car. So, I now have another blue Sunfire - stick shift like my old one --- and I wouldnt change a thing!!! I love it! Pontiac has done well by this car -- its so cool --- even by a 54 year old standards!!! Thanks!

• 

  Vibe Lover - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Martin - January 1 - 3:53 am

  I bought this car when I lived in Texas and was attending college in Pennsylvania. I went from a Corolla (which I loved) and wanted something with much more people and cargo space without compromising fuel efficiency. With this car being built by Toyota, it finished my decision. We have had no problems with it whatsoever and it now has 96,000 miles on it!!!

• 

  $ for $ Blows All The Others Away - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By jsjax - December 31 - 2:00 am

  I went on the car lot with no intention of buying a vehicle. As a matter of fact, I drove a Pontiac Vibe, but wasnt too impressed. I then saw an Aztek, and told the salesman I wanted to take it for a spin. WOW! I was impressed. So impressed I drove it home, showed my wife, she liked it, and did a deal in a matter of hours. Drove out with a FWD model w/ moonroof, stereo, A/C, power everything for UNDER $20k -- Drive out price!! Ive driven SUVs that cost twice as much that are far less impressive than the Aztek. Sure, it looks a little different, but once you get behind the wheel, youre hooked!