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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  GTO...YAAAH...THE REAL DEAL - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOGRRR - April 2 - 10:00 am

  The GTO is the real deal....a wonderful car...no problems after 6000 miles...good on gas....comfy...interior cabin quiet....a lot of bang for the buck...styling is subjective...i think its "gorgeous"....

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  Love Trans Ams - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By ShellsSSR - March 31 - 9:30 pm

  I have been driving a Trans Am since 1981. My first one was a 1979 4.9 gold one that was 2 yrs. old when I bought it. My best and favorite one! I drove it for 200,000 miles and had the engine rebuilt. Loved that car. Drove it for 17 yrs. Then ordered my 1997 Trans in 1996, then my 2000. Ive been giving her a rest because now I also own a 2004 Chevy SSR. I really like vehicles. We are G.M. people only because of my brother, Mike, who worked for them before his sudden death in 11- 05. Miss him severely. I used his gm discount on my 2000, so I probably will never let this car go. My car is very clean,never in any kind of crash, babied like no other (except the SSR) and only has 50,000 mi.

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  HOLY CRAP! - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Matt With a Trans Am - March 30 - 2:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned. This is the best car I have ever driven. This is the best car I have ever ridden in. Need I say more? I will! This car has amazing bone snapping torque, face-lifting horsepower, and head turning looks. I have quite a few mods, custom rims and cowl hood. I dont get looks, I get stares. When I pull into the Jiffy lube to get oil changed, the mechanics line up to gawk at the Trans Am. SIMPLY AMAZING!!!!!!

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  Sunfire - Great car, fun to drive - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By arf - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I bought this 2003 Sunfire for my wife to use for her daily commute to work - 80 miles a day round trip. With 40,000 miles in less than two years it has run like a top the whole way. No mechanical reapirs have been necessary. It is driven 90% highway miles and gets from 31 to 33 miles to the gallon consitantly.

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  In Love With My GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Lorraine Rosen - March 28 - 10:00 am

  The car is back! My son owns a Z-28 and is very impressed that Mom now has a Muscle car too!Its got the performance and handling to get out of its own way fast. Not since the 70s have I enjoyed a cars performance this much!Torrid Red and torrid fast!!!!!!!

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  Nice Car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ida - March 28 - 10:00 am

  I am only 19 years old and on my third car and by far this is the most outstanding car i have had. Best power, comfort, style. I feel like i am in an expensive sports car.

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  Thumbs up for the G6 - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By william - March 27 - 5:40 pm

  All in all the G6 GT is Americas best mid level sports sedan, crisp handling and quick acceleration, very modern dash lay out, very roomy, excellant fuel economy, the manumatic shifter is lots of fun, the sound system is awesome, deep bass and rich highs, I am very pleased with this car, look at same type of import sedans, they pale in comparison to what you get with the G6, the Pontiac G6 is the best thing GM has put out since the Corvette in my opinion

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  My Perfect Little Baby - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Kimberly Sigmon - March 26 - 9:36 pm

  My dad first introduced me to this car- he works for General Motors in Detroit, MI. I am so in love with it, and it is such a great price for what you get!!! I would tell everyone to get one!

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  stunner from down under - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By largeadam - March 25 - 5:10 am

  So, i am English with a penchant for American Cars; Compared the G35, the charger and the stang...clear winner was my new GTO. the g35 was average, well appointed but did not make me grin. the charger was made a nice noise, but i really wanted a stick (Duh!) the stang was a dissapointment; same money-ish but not a real contender. consider this....my GTO has a super sound system....but i still have not turned it on, i just drop the windows and listen...my wife has never seen me grin like the chesire cat from alice in wonderland....get on !!

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  Sporty Mom car - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By nmhst - March 25 - 2:00 am

  This car not only looks good,but drives wonderfully. I have three kids and they have plenty of room. The trunk space does not let me miss my SUV. Dont let the name "Bonneville" mislead you. It is not the big old bug car.