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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  Love my Tek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By kritta16 - December 14 - 10:00 am

  So comfortable you will want to fall asleep! I traded in a Vibe for this much-better made vehicle. You can fit 4 kids and 2 adults with no problem. I have hauled a twin-sized mattress with no problem. Rides like a dream. Driving is a delight again. Quiet ride. Cannot say enough good things about this vehicle. If you drive one, youll fall in love with it.

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  Not too sure. - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By SUE - December 14 - 12:56 am

  Bought this car from my in laws. What a bad choice. It was low on miles when I bought it from them. Fuel censor went, and they never replaced it. It was just 32 days after they purchased it. They had done some minor repairs on it. They barely drove it. So when I bought it 9 yrs old with 114k on it. I though I was laughing. I have now put it up to 154k in about 1 1/2 yrs. And the transmission just pooched on me a few days ago. The engine light comes on often, the breaks go, the gasket needs changing. No heat in the winter or air conditioner in the summer. And its been fixed repeatably. I am glad to hand over this hunk of junk.

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  Want it back - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By 67carjunkie - December 13 - 4:40 pm

  I loved my car until I got hit on the back right side. Edmunds said that it has poor side crash test mine survived the crash much better then the 08 civic. Was not the fastest car but it was decent just couldnt get me out of the crash. Edmunds also said not that fast but I beat a brand new mazda 6 with a 04 sunfire that had 4 cylinders.

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  Great car! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Teresa - December 13 - 11:13 am

  Purchased this car for value and the fact that it was a hard-top convertible. It has been awesome! The car drives great and is well designed both on the interior and exterior. It is fun to drive and I always get attention!

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  Excellent Car - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Pat - December 13 - 6:53 am

  The Pontiac G6 is an excellent car. So far I have had no problems with my car.

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  The best muscle out there ... - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By John G. - December 12 - 9:10 am

  My car is actually a 2002 Trans Am Firehawk. Im in my 20s and wanted a T/A all my life; lives up to all the years of dreaming. The car corners on a dime. Acceleration is smooth and quick. Great exhaust note. The interior doesnt live up to the exterior, however. Not horrible, but youd expect more from a car that was top of the fleet for Pontiac when it was out. When Pontiac makes this car again (and they will, only a matter of time) they should improve this, along with reducing cabin noise. Trough wander is annoying at times, but thats inherent on most cars with wider wheels and tires, and only happens when driving on older, worn roads.

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  My son totaled my 04 vibe and I got an 05 - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By daisy - December 11 - 10:43 pm

  I like everything about the vibe. I like the styling and all the options. Some people do not like the luggage rack but I think that it makes the car look sporty. I was surprised that the 05 Vibe does not come with cross bars on the luggage rack. I was not willing to pay extra for that.

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  Sad to say, but a bit of a disappointment - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Cathy P - December 11 - 3:13 pm

  The car is a great looking sports car. Possibly the best on the market. But looks are deceiving. It lacks in power and interior design. The radio and XM are wonderful. The two toned interior is beautiful but Id lose the cheap plastic. As far as power, its a dud. The exterior design is gorgeous but not practical when driving. There are too many blind spots which is dangerous. The soft top is cumbersome to put up and down. When the tops up visability is worse. I traded in my 2007 Solstice for an MX5 which was way more fun to drive and roomier.

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  Wow!! - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Amy - December 11 - 2:03 am

  I bought my Grand Prix 08, last year. My husband took me to a place right off base. And i saw a beautiful white/pearl car staring at me! we have a daughter who is turning 3..and let me tell you. the car is sooo smooth! everyone who gets in,..their first word is (WoW) this is a smooth car! plus its big enough for a family..yet compact enough to be sporty! my husband loves my car! and my favorite feature is when you first get in, every single detail curves around the driver! I would say, its made to fit you!! Not to mention, in these economic times, we get about 19/24mpg yet its cheaper then the camry and the malibu!

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  Loving it - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By jen - December 10 - 10:53 pm

  I did my shopping around and the G6 is the best overall buy I could find. I test drove a lot of cars out there. The G6 won. I got a great price, haggled and got leather for free. Totally loving the XM! I only wish that it had radio options on the steering wheel.