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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  Garbage. Please do NOT buy! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By prouddaddy19 - August 5 - 3:24 am

  I got this car from a local dealership closeby back in early Sep/2011. I loved it. It was the nicest car Ive ever had. Has everything! 2 weeks later, electronic accel control goes out and the radio reads engine power reduced Got that fixed. 1 week later it happens again. dealer says it was a faulty part so they fixed it. 2 weeks ago I noticed that when I press the brakes on the highway the car shakes horribly. Dealer says the alignment is good. Then last week I pull into aco-workers driveway, and the yellow wrench light comes on and says low coolant. Checked coolant and no problems. Right on the full line. Now today from coming out from wal-mart, starter seized. DONT buy this car! LEMON!!

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  Dont purchase - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By LYNDA - July 23 - 10:23 pm

  Car burns 1quart oil every 1000 miles, they say exceptable. Moaning from rear end, they hear but they dont know what is causing the problem. A/c quit and there is a tt bullentin on it . Car shifts horrible, and sometimes doesnt. Rear spoiler blocks vision. Trade in value is the worst! Today 6/8 ny newsday reports 10worst reliable car in the us! Dealer has been unsupportive to fix the vehicle.This is the 5th pontiac i have owned always showing loyalty to pontiac gm, note not anymore!! I will seek a better tradein and a better warranty!

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  BIG MISTAKE FROM UNHAPPY CUSTOMER - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jessica Scott - July 22 - 2:00 am

  If you are considering this car but having doubts Do Not Buy this vehicle. I made the mistake of buying a Grand Am brand new. I have had nothing but trouble. This car isnt even 3 years old yet and has been in the shop at least 5 times. It doesnt handle well at all in curves and the brakes and tires wear quickly.I urge you to Learn from my mistake.

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  Do Not buy GM - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By NetNut - July 13 - 5:46 pm

  I brought this van in Sep05. The ENGINE has been replaced 2 times. The Low Oil Presure Message and the ABS light are still coming on once a while. The gas gauge is fluctuating. The dealer still does not know how to fix it. DO NOT BUY GM.

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  2002 grand prix with many issues - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Margaret Paoli - July 4 - 8:46 pm

  Car has been in the shop more than any car I have owned since purchased new. Window problems, loose dash, intake gaskets replaced several times, wheel bearing bad at 34,000 miles, catalytic converter replaced, heater has never worked and Gay Pontiac service center never fixed when reported 10+ times in there service shop for all other listed issues, leather seats coming apart, loose door panels (possibly from all the window repairs). This is my second grand prix and 8th and LAST GM vehicle as I will be getting a Toyota on my next purchase and dont even want to start on the customer service or lack of when calling what was GMACFS now India handles and Pontiac division customer service.

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  01 Grand Am GT Worst Car Ever - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Matt - June 28 - 3:23 am

  In my opinion the Pontiac Grand Am GT1 is the worst car to ever roll off of an assembly line. While it only had 18,000 miles when I acquired it from a private party known very well to me who kept it very well maintained and garaged, both window regulators broke, the heater knob busted, constant "Check Engine" lights, terrible grinding from the front end (no it wasnt the brakes). Tried to change a headlight bulb yesterday, after an hour and half of trying to get to it ( I finally did) the headlight retainer ring broke. I will never ever buy another gm car as long as i live, especially not a pontiac, i wouldnt even buy one with someone elses money

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  Piece of Trash - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Ms. Farmer - June 9 - 9:33 pm

  I leased my G6 GTP in 2006 and the lease will end 2010 and I cant wait. I had the car in at the dealership many times on the sunroof, cd changer, blower, brakes, rotors, power steering pump, and now a gear shift controller. All of that has been replaced, but now the I cant get car out of park, after the dealership put in a new gear shift! This is definitely a lemon, and dont want to ever purchase another GM product. Cute body style, but its a piece of trash. Hurry up Jan 10, so I can take this mess back since that is when my lease ends. GM need to stop making this car and to get better parts so this car can be reliable, because its not! Shame on you GM!

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  rattles noises and squeeks - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By boots - May 17 - 2:00 am

  The slider doors squeek. The tailgate squeeks and rattles!!! Brake lines, etc. rattle underneath. Annoying squeek in the front end. Every day there is a new noise.

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  complaint - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By Sean Roland - May 10 - 5:56 pm

  bad experience - had engined opened three times, twice for manifold gasket (pink antifreeze problem) Also had the catalitic converter replaced twice (again because of the pink antifreeze).. GM hesitant to deal with vehicle, suggest I dispose of it ..

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  NOT Reliable - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By JJ from NJ - May 9 - 9:50 am

  This is probably the Worst car Ive owned. Only have 27,000 miles and so many things wrong from the back window popping out, body side molding coming off, overheating, transmission problem and the front bearings shot. Not to mention the service is horrible and the car doesnt hold value. It wouldnt be so bad if pontiac cared and stood behind their product. cant wait to trade it in and get a toyota