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:

• 

  Damn nice car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By nikivee - November 10 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the nicest news cars Ive bought it years. The fit and finish is like nothing GM has sold here in the past. BMW like quality abounds. Plenty of power to boot.

• 

  The review - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By tom_ - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Why have we not imported australian cars before. They rock. Nothing compares to there cars, especially not the cars produced in America.

• 

  Built Cheap Wont Last - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By cldavis - November 10 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car in April of 2004. Really loved it until it began to fall apart. Wheel speed sensor went out a week after I bought it--it is a $500 part and not to mention the cost of taking it to a dealership to get it fixed. About two months after that, the crankshaft pulley broke and my auxillary belt slipped....another big expense. The power seat motor, along with the red lighting on the clock also went out. The brakes were also a huge problem with this car. In 5 months, I had the pads replaced twice! I liked it at first because of its sporty looks, but thank goodness I traded it in on something more reliable!

• 

  Run rabbit Run - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Troy Ott - November 10 - 2:56 am

  Check for leaks, head gasket, overheating

• 

  06 GTP is piece of crap!!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By chuck203 - November 9 - 4:17 am

  the 1st yrs i had this car is what great, but then the flood waters opened, at 49.000miles major oil leak, had that repaired, i have replaced brakes and rotors 3 times in 2 yrs, had 2 replace tire rods and ball joints, car still shakes when u brake, passenger side headlight keeps blowing out, c d player, quit working, Gm wants 600.00 4 a new 1 & 2 top it all off transmission has went out all with less than 100.000 miles on it...I c why pontiac went Under!!!

• 

  wow - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By S shields - November 7 - 8:13 pm

  I love the car, the only thing is I am tall and wish it has telescoping wheel. (feels like I am reaching for it)

• 

  great car - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By c baker - November 6 - 8:33 am

  I searched the web for a car for my daughter that was low cost and fuel efficient. I got it when I got my vibe. I liked it so much I kept it and will get her one when she graduates from High school.

• 

  A white knuckle experience! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Robert Spinden - November 6 - 2:40 am

  This car is nothing but amazing! With its 400 horses under the hood waiting to go it deffinately has some "get up and go." The best part about the car is nobody has one! Ive never seen on the road. Its a sleeper, nobody knows whats under the hood. People point at red lights and ask you about it at the gas station. They recommend premium, so it can be a spendy trip! My buddy had his 2005 GTO up to 156 mph and he said it was still climbing. It handles great around the corners, and is truely a great ride! Dont buy one! So there are less GTOs out there for people to drool on!!!

• 

  Mostly Content! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By QTPIE - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I like the car- I prefer the newer body styles, but I think it handles well. Had to fix EGR, thermostat, axels, and throttle body sensor ($600), but I love the extra room and comfort of this car! I do think GM needs to focus on the reliability of their cars, but overall, Ive been very satisfied with this vehicle.

• 

  So ugly its cute - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By morgan59 - November 6 - 2:00 am

  I was out looking to buy my 3rd Ford Exploer. Then I ended up at the Pointiac dealer looking at an Aztek, at 1st I thought it was ugly then as I looked at it, it got cuter I looking inside of it I was very impressed. I drove it and was sold I went back to my Ford dealer and looked at what I got for the same money. The Exploer was so plain,the new silver pastic inside the sport is cheap looking and feeling So back to Pointic I went. Bottom line My AWD Aztec is great. Theres more space than the exploer more power,BTW most the new SUV types coming out theyre as far out styled if not more than the Aztec. ie: frist drives 05 cars in MT,C&D, auto week etc.