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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  Looks nice, not so reliable...... - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By California - August 3 - 10:00 am

  Luved the car at first, very first new fast car... Have always done regular maintance,used only fully synthetic oil,treated this car like my baby, Have brought this car in more times than I want to admit, luckily the dealership talked me into the full warranty or I would have been hosed, the power sterring pump went out, alternator at 60,000, abs light has come on twice to be fixed,anything that was electrical went out!!! signals, daytime running lights,fuel gage, and of course the most expensive the tranny... I luv the looks of it and it got me lots of looks, fast, but just really dissapointing with everything that has gone wrong with it.

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  Fun to drive - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By karpj25 - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I couldnt be happier it is my firt new car purchase and it is the best thing I could have bought Im so happy with it if your looking for a fun family car this is it!!!!!!!!!

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  Too New To Rate But Liking So Far!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RMCLECMBS - August 3 - 10:00 am

  I am not a GM fan but bought this car for my wife who absolutley loves her new GT2 with leather and sunroof. Fit an finish is excellent. New styling is well done. Re-do from previous model hits the mark. Avoid the cloth interior. Seats are very firm and take some adjusting to get used to but lateral support is excellent. The 90 degree openings rear doors and forward folding front passenger seat are well engineeered and practical. Ample interior room and spacious trunk. Tight and quiet - firm handling.

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  2006 Pontiac G6 GT Sedan - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Greg - August 3 - 5:16 am

  Absolutely love the car. It is a very good riding car as we take it on all vacation trips. Quiet & exceptionally smooth ride! Highway mileage is normally 35 mpg running 65 mph... Thats nice on trips too.

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  VIBrate-ing - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rich - August 3 - 3:13 am

  The Vibe is a great deal more than I even expected! The ease of handling, peppy response, fine gas mileage and roomy cabin area are amazing for a car of this size and price. I gave up a foreign SUV - and Im completely happy to come back to Pontiac!

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  Fun to drive - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Beth - August 2 - 10:56 pm

  Love it. Lots of fun to drive. Handles well in all driving conditions. No, blind spots.

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  G6 GTP Sedan - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By jrusa1 - August 2 - 11:33 am

  Im two weeks into ownership. After driving numerous "sport" sedans, this was the first one to really stir some emotion with me. The engine has really nice pull, and the handling is great! The car is not quite as nicely put together as some of the Japanese and German sedans I drove, but what it lacks in fit and finish perfection it makes up for in style and performance.

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  What is it ? - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By jay haga - August 2 - 7:13 am

  When i saw the commercial announcing the 08 G6 GXP street edition, I knew I had to have one. One week later she was sitting in my garage. I never expected all that she gives. performance is great, from the 3.6vvt,the six speed automatic, and 2.77 gear ratio. Quick as a house cat out of the hole and cruises at less than 2000rs. She feels very nimble cornering and goes great in the snow. I find the seats very comfortable and all controls to be where they should. everywhere I go someone will come up and ask "what is it?" Pontiac has definetly hit a homerun in my opinion. Looks, style, performance (shes not a race car but a great commuter), and fuel mileage for the 21st century.

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  FUN CAR - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GI JOE - July 30 - 1:56 pm

  I have had this car for a year and a half and love to drive it every time I get in it. I have owed and driven Z- 28s, El Caminos and a Malibu, but none can corner like this GTP with the compitition package. It also handled the ice and snow of last winter with out a problem. When Im accused of buying it as a mid-life crisis car I point out that with 4-doors it is a family car. (I think the fusion orange with silver racing stripe throws them off) I dont know what its top speed is yet but I do know that at 117mph it is still accelerating.

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  Best choice yet! - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Lesterd - July 29 - 1:10 am

  We HAD to replace a car. It had over 300,000 miles on it, so we get an Aztec. It has the a cd player and the basic 6 speaker sound system, and air conditioner, and ABS. Everything else is standard. I also just recently received my permit, I have had if for 5 months. It has been an awesome driver, I love it. It is pretty darn powerful for a V-6. I hit 95 passing a truck just plain flooring it. And the standard sound system is so amazing. I put it on full blast playing the song "My Michelle" by the Guns n Roses and I could hear it during road construction 2 blocks away. We also just had to replace the oxygen sensor, and now it is a beast. It is way louder and way faster Recomend it