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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  built on a Friday! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By dave barry penb - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Consistent problems with this well beyond wear and tear. Other owners of Grand Prix have been very satisfied overall, not I. Heres a PARTIAL list: 2 batteries; 1 alternator; 1 condensor; 1 compressor; 2 o2 sensors; 2 fuel filters; 1 steering gear bushing; 1 fuel regulator; 2 heat selector resistors; 1 stereo; 3 wiper arms; 2 sets of spark plugs rated at 160 000 kms I have 114 000; the rocker panels have rusted been repaired and rusted through again; windshield is separating from the car and there is a leak in the tunk so water has left it mildewy and now it is behind the back seat. A lot for 3 years of owning. Expensive.

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  GrandAmLemon - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GMEatMyTow Charges - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The dealer tells me I was given a Friday car and apologizes. GM refuses to allow me out of lease. Ive had electrical issue since purchased the vehicle which is 2 1/2 years now. The Car doesnt start about 2 times a month on average. Just got car back from shop today and once again they swear its fixed. The 2nd time I heard that this month! The whole experience has been a 2 1/2 year nightmare for me. I know I could sue and win 10 attempts to fix the same problem twice this month alone. But I only have 3 more months on their lease they wont let me out of less I sue. HEY GM EAT THOSE JUMP START & TOW CHARGES!!!!

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  GrandAmLemon - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GrandAmLemon - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The dealer tells me I was given a Friday car and apologizes. GM refuses to allow me out of lease. Ive had electrical issue since purchased the vehicle which is 2 1/2 years now. The Car doesnt start about 3 times a month on average. Just got car back from shop today and once again they swear its fixed. The 2nd time I heard that this month! The latest excuse The whole experience has been a 2 1/2 year nightmare for me. I know I could sue and win 10 attempts to fix the same problem twice this month alone. But I only have 3 more months on their lease they wont let me out of less I sue. HEY GM EAT THOSE JUMP START & TOW CHARGES!!!!

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  Disappointing - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By Jackson Johns - September 5 - 4:16 am

  I have an Accord. I got this car as a rental while my Accord was in the shop for a few weeks. Wow. Did Pontiac ever try out other cars? The seats were uncomfortable. There was no place to put my sunglasses. Only 2 cup holders. None in the back seats. It has a horrible turning radius. The engine was very nice. Overall, you can do much better than this.

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  Never Again - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mikki - August 24 - 7:26 am

  Not a good car through rain and puddles. It only has 27,000 on the odometer and the trans is shifting hard, clanking noise every now and again in front. Brakes have been fixed once and checked three times. They still squeal. Mechanic says its the brakes they put on cars these days. Also has blind spots. Paid $22,000 and is simply not worth the money. Im trading it in A.S.A.P

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  Loved it at first!! - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Karens commuter - August 14 - 10:00 am

  This car is a great car. Fun to drive, great looking, fits all sizes... at first the gas milage was 32, now it averages 26-28. Still good, but not what i wanted. There is no back support and if you commute, invest in a pillow!! That is my number one complaint. Other than that, I love it. (it looks bigger than it really is)

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  Pay me now or pay me later - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By exriguy - August 12 - 10:00 am

  At 60k we have replaced various parts related to the transmission, brakes, power steering, CD changer etc. Key fob batteries stopped working within 6 months. Every now and again it simply refuses to start altogether and dealer cant duplicate the problem. We will replace the car as a "fix." We also have strut noises and rattles. Bottom line is that you will the pay the same in the long run as if you bought a Honda Accord by the time you factor in repairs and depreciation. You may get it for much less now, but in the long run you will pay the same and be miserable along the way.

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  Cant wait to get rid of it! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ImpyTink - August 8 - 6:20 am

  Ive had problems with this car since I had it for only six months. Its always at the mechanics. I hate this car and I cant wait to lose it. I finally have a job that maybe I can lose it soon. Not reliable. Has left me stranded many times. I pray for it to get stolen.

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  worth decreases too fast - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By kim Pettus - August 2 - 2:00 am

  Overall satisfied, jsut ready for a change

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  No wonder Pontiac is in trouble - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By erif - July 30 - 12:10 pm

  We bought this car in January and put alot of miles on it, so far 21,000. We have had 3 sets of tires due to cupping. Pontiac did cover the cost but faught us on finding the cause. The result was the rear alighnment was out by 1.5 degrees. Tires cupped in 3,000 miles. Fit and finish wehn delivered was bad also. Then the icing on the cake... We had a passenger side floor that was flooded. And what did Pontiac say? It was normal to have some water enter the passenger compartment when going through a car wash with high p.s.i. water or heavy rain! I could not believe they said it was a normal occurance. They offered no fix, we are getting rid of this car and going back to Toyota!