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:

• 

  Another Repair - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By A. Motorist - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Car purchased new from dealer. Have replaced every power window motor at least once and two, twice, @ 2-400 each. Transmission is loud when shifting. Continued problems with gear shift and not being able to remove the key when vehicle is placed in park. Another $600 repair. Interior doesnt wear well. Air conditioner is unreliable at best. Every dealer gives a different story as to what it would take to repair. UNRELIABLE CAR. NEVER AGAIN

• 

  Great Car! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Ellen126 - July 21 - 2:00 am

  Does everything needed and more

• 

  Great Vehile - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jimirayguy - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I needed a vehile with good gas mileage and power to drive on the expressway. After looking at many vehiles, I found the Pontiac Vibe to be the best. Without spending $25,000 or more. Fun car to drive, handles good and mileage avg. is 26.7 mpg.

• 

  cogswells clinical trial of autos - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By donnajean - July 21 - 2:00 am

  handles well, tight turns. Easily washable seats. Had windows tinted. Headlights are dashing. Sun roof powered is a great option. Adjustable side windows a plus. Rxcellent gas mileage.

• 

  fun to drive vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By john king - July 21 - 2:00 am

  I am over 6 feet tall and weigh about 230 lbs. My family is tall. I had been waiting for years for a car with good interior room front amd back and this is it. It is also easy to exit and enter which is important when you have older passengers. Ergonomically great. I got awd and had to give up some fuel economy. Sun roof,rear door and window access make it all fun.

• 

  awesome ride - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By blue_eyes_rc - July 21 - 2:00 am

  this car is a real head turner. It has enough power to suck you back in your seat when you tromp on it. The seats are extremely comfortable and all the controls are within easy reach. There is very little if any road noise and she handles like a dream. If you like a nice, comfortable ride but also like to be the grandma that turns heads this is the car for you.

• 

  Anniversary Edition 2003 - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By KevinGuida - July 21 - 2:00 am

  This is my first GrandAm.I love driving this car!It does everything for me and shuts everything off when I open the driver side door automatically.Great sporty styling carried thuought.This model was loaded with the anniversary package so I like it even more. Great handeling and comfortable to sit in.Fun to drive .

• 

  Like Two Bats Out of Hell! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Richie - July 21 - 12:46 am

  I have followed this car since I heard about it being available in the US. Overall this car is the best bang for your buck if you want a sport sedan. I looked at a few imports and some other domestics but the G8 won hands down dollar wise. The engine is excellent. I live in NYC and the gas mileage is low in the city (10-12 mpg) and when the highways are packed I see the same results. But when the highways are clear I see 20+mpg easy. For daily driving the suspension is fine, seats are comfy, exhaust is quiet but open up the engine and it sounds sweet. I had this car for about 2 months and I still smile when I turn her on.

• 

  Love it /HATE it - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Number One - July 20 - 10:00 am

  We bought this new and had it dealer maintained regularly since new. First 2 years OK, then PROBLEMS. Electrical, electrical, cooling system, intake gasket, etc... We love the van when it works but became more and more afraid of what would break next. Sounds like a fairly common problem - check the messages on some of the other boards. We took a hit on our trade but dumped it to buy a NON-GM minivan. Sad and too bad - GM we must part ways. Previous Pontiac was not much better - I guess now we learned. CANNOT recommend this van unless you want to just sit in it without driving anywhere.

• 

  Love my Pontaic - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By A. Iati - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 5 years ago and have had nothing major go wrong with it at all. Its quick, super grippy to the curves and sharp. Its been very good to me and as long as you take care of anything that you own, it should give back in return. The car has years of life left on it...