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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  GET EXTENDED WARRANTY - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Never again - April 22 - 10:00 am

  Motor 3.1 has intake manifold problems, rebuilt engine at 46,000. altenator 50,000 replaced all window motors. Trans went out at 68,000 and now timing chain just broke at 85,000 and the radiator leaks. Also changing the back 3 plugs is a pain in the a$$.

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  Brakes, Vibrations, and Steering Column - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Tom Wallace - March 14 - 5:23 am

  This car is the biggest lemon we have ever purchased. From day one, it has had an extreme vibration that no one has been able to get rid off. The car has 44,000+ miles on it. After 2 new sets of Michelin tires, countless tire balances, alignments, badly warped rotors at 43,000 miles, sticking calipers, drivers seat that shifts when taking curves, and 2 fixes to the steering column, we still have bad vibration, brake problems, and a seat that shifts - to the tune of about $3000. Oh yes, also had water coming in from under the car as well as in the trunk. I hate this car! GM will not get another sale from me.

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  AVOID! - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By Awfabee - March 12 - 12:03 pm

  Bought the AWD because we were moving out to the country. It was a company lease return, impeccably maintained. As soon as the warranty expired, we IMMEDIATELY suffered the infamous GMC intake manifold gasket debaucle. Since then, nothing but problems, mostly with the wheel hubs, bearings, and ABS/AWD sensors. Turns out a vehicle named "MONTANA" with AWD cant handle a bumpy gravel road. Worst vehicle weve ever owned... period.

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  Depressing - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By MontanaBlues - February 26 - 2:00 am

  Ours is a 2001, has 22000 miles on it. What has gone wrong? Where do I begin. The oil pan leaked and needed repair after 4500 miles; the power slider was recalled - "repaired" and then had to be repaired again at 6000 miles; the engine leaked antifreeze around 9000, needing new hoses; the transmission overheated while towing an ALUMINUM fishing boat (oh yeah, we have the "towing" package), and the thing squeaks and rattles so bad we sometimes think some of the structural welds have failed. We will never return to a GM minivan. The Odyssey or new Quest look good for us.

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  Disappointment - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Steve - February 10 - 1:46 pm

  I cannot say enough about how unsatisfied I am with this car. It is a complete lemon. Air conditioner quit at 40,000. New tranny at 57,000, and new engine parts at 61,000. I still owe more than its worth and am looking to sell it for much less. I am very disappointed in this vehicle only because I love the space and its fun to drive. But now i own a $20,000.. $7,000 car, after paying 10,500 for it and putting almost the same back into it to fix it. Wish i had never purchased a Pontiac

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  Bad Choice - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Unhappy owner - February 4 - 6:53 am

  I clearly made a bad choice by purchasing this vehicle (it happens). This has been in the shop more times than I care to count (tires, electrical, dvd player, both stabalizer bars, radio quit), the problems are endless and it only had 40,000 miles on it. Cant wait to see whats to come ! At least they dont make it anymore, and spare someone else the frustrations.

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  Most uncomfortable car (seats) ever made - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By betsy - January 21 - 10:00 am

  Bought 02 GP several months ago -am still trying to sell, but no one will give me close to what orginally paid. The most uncomfortable seats ever! At 54", average ht for women, I cant reach the gas pedal (located 6" farther back than the brake). This is a terrible design flaw as my foot slips off the gas often. When pushed forward, the seat goes "up", making my head touch the sunroof/visor. Also, seat belt cuts off circulation to my legs & I constantly tug at it (Im quite thin too. The car has a few good points, but comfort and ride are terrible, plus insurance costs are outrageous for a 4-door sedan.

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  Buyer beware - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Raymon - January 20 - 6:30 pm

  Replaced the air conditioning unit 6 times the first 4 years. Major electrical problems. No way to open rear hatchbach if latch fails. Except by destroying the gate interior panel. No warrantee package covers interior repair. Not a good experience.

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  The money Pit - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By k krus - January 17 - 10:00 am

  this vechiles resale is the worst I have ever seen , It has had more problems than any other car I have ever owned, and then you cant get rid of the thing because it has drop so much in resale value.I would not recommend the AZTEK to anyone.

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  Ugh! - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By kdsay - December 29 - 8:13 pm

  I was really excited to get my new minivan, with the DVD player and Dual sliding doors, but within 1 year after purchasing my 06 Pontiac Montana it has gradually fell apart, I have have to replace 2 sets of tire and tire rods and all brakes and other part having to do with the front tires, everytime I fix one thing something else false apart, the back windshield wiper just started going one day and would not turn off? The back blinker has went out several times and the front driver setbelt is broken and is going to cost over 200 to fix!! The seats are all ridiculously stained!I have had my van professionally cleaned several times and the stains will not come out! Even water!