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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  Great car, no wonder it got stolen! - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Betawolf - January 18 - 10:00 am

  Hey i bought my 08 grand prix this about a month ago, it got stolen last week. Very good looking car and has great power and acceleration. The fuel economy is a little on the down side thanks to the fuel thirsty V6. Interior looks modern and nice, with comfortable seats and a user-friendly cock-pit. The exterior is very stylish and sporty, with tinted windows, a spoiler, and sleek curves. I had no complaints with anything except my 2008 model had no anti-theft devices or onstar which in the end is why i do not have the car anymore!

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  Fantastic Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Norm B - January 16 - 9:26 pm

  The new GTP is a blast to drive! It is tight, responsive and comfortable. I am extremely happy with my purchase!

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  My GTO Experience - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Ray Willis - January 16 - 8:16 pm

  I bought a new 1964 GTO and a new 1967 gto convertible which were both very good cars in handling and performance. However, my new 2006 GTO is so much better in every way that the old GTOs do not compare. The only exception is the body style of the new GTO is not quite as good as it should be for true muscle car style.

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  G6 V6 Rocket - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By John - January 15 - 5:40 pm

  I just recently purchased my G6 sedan. This car is a rocket and one of the quietest cars Ive ever driven. A blast to drive and gets great fuel economy. Currently getting 33+ mpg. The only problem I have had with the car is the panoramic sunroof. It creaks when you drive over bumps or dips in the road. Other than that, great car. Id recommend on to anyone but, with the standard power roof.

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  MY GRAND AM - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By RJK - January 14 - 2:00 am

  I bought my 97 Grand Am brand new off the lot in March of 1998. It was the only one left, manual stick shift and all. I ended up loving it. Never really a problem for 120,000 plus miles. Recently changed some plugs and coils - that is it outside of brakes once.

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  Pontiac for life - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By sosajriam726 - January 14 - 2:00 am

  i love this car, i own this and a 00 gtp they are great and very reliable

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  Follow up comment - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By 09Vibe - January 13 - 6:33 pm

  Just a follow up to previous posting. One strange item missing from base models is variable intermittent wipers. After driving in the rain today and thinking that the option must be a separate add-on, I went back and checked the Pontiac website to find that they are not available on the base model. For those living in rainy climates, its an annoying omission by the manufacturer.

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  Love this car! - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mike_65_ - January 13 - 5:50 pm

  Bought this car a month ago and really am pleased with it. It handles much better then the 1997 Chev Lumina I had. It is fun to drive and is very good on gas and has great pep for a 2.2L. I get lots of compliments on the styling of the car. The graystone metallic is just my color.

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  Flamer - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By DRJ - January 13 - 1:40 pm

  Performance and gutsy sound from dual exhausts is sports car like yet is a family sedan. Impressed with 30 mpg on highway under 72 mph. Great exterior design. Had to upgrade the tires and stereo dvd player. Very visible orangish red color has helped accident avoidance.

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  Maybe youll find this helpful - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Dziewczyna - January 12 - 11:33 am

  I reviewed cars for months before I got into the G6. Ive owned it now 16 months and I have to say its the first car Ive had this long that I still like. Generally I get bored fast and want something new. It recently snowed in Seattle and I found the TC to be a royal pain. It wouldnt let me speed up to get the momentum to get up the hill. The TC kept coming on and my tires kept spinning. When I turned the TC off.. still couldnt make it up. Recently my windshield freezes on the inside. When the sunroof is open IT IS SO LOUD, almost not worth having it Ive seen others complain about a bouncing speedometer and Ive also had this problem took it to the dealer and they didnt find anything