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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  WIDE TRACKER - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By shade21 - November 21 - 10:00 am

  NO PROBLEMS EXCEPT FOR A LIGHT BINDING IN STEERING COULMN WHEN TURNING LEFT OR RIGHT STILL IN WARRENTY AND HAVE EXTENED COVERAGE OTHERWISE PROBLEN FREE SINCE BOUGHT

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  Great car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By sj - November 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this vehicle used with appx 39k. It now has 54K and seems to be going strong. I did purchase new tires because the others were terrible. Its a fun to drive vehicle, handles well, has an excellent radio, gets good gas mileage and looks great on the road. Ive been very pleased with the purchase. Sounds like some others havent had such luck.

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  My Gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By kc - November 20 - 6:53 pm

  I absolutely love this car. The exterior design grows on you, and the interior is beautiful. Drive this car after you drive any mustang, and you will beg for the extra 5 grand you need to buy it. What a value, a 400 hp crovette engine, in a sleeper 4 person coupe for just over 30 grand... or just under if you play your cards right!

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  Pontiac last hurrah! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Nando82 - November 18 - 9:06 am

  I found my car @ Carmax. Let me start off by saying that it is a great car, good engine, nice sound system and roomy as hell. I got the G8 GT with the premium leather pkg and also the sport pkg, this car does turn heads in the street though!

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  Good Value Family Car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By currycook - November 17 - 11:00 am

  We bought the Vibe because we were on a budget and wanted a family car that we could afford but also would be reliable. The Vibe has not dissappointed us. It has been very reliable and even fun to drive. I was attracted to it because of the Toyota engine and it has been excellent. Our experience so far has been very positive.

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  Head Turner - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By paintman1966 - November 17 - 3:21 am

  Bought last year at 45k miles, have 56k now and its been great. Exactly like all the previous good reviews. Went on 340 mile trip from Maine to Vermont and back and avgd 38.4 MPG!! 95 mile roundtrip to Portland, Me and avgd 37.5 MPG!! of course I had my GF in the car and foot off the turbo. She loves the car and we are planning on buying a second one someday so we wont have to share. Location of PWR window switches is the most aggravating thing about this car. I put top up or down in @30 secs at stop lights. Co-worker has base Sol and test drove my GXP and says definite difference :) Been getting great comments on its looks from the beginning:

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  The Ugly Duck - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By johnnyl - November 17 - 2:00 am

  Thats really a Swan. Fun to drive. I can give sports sedans a run for their money. Great get up and go. Excellent features. Love both the interior and exterior.

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  heads turn - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By carol51 - November 17 - 2:00 am

  The vehicle is garage kept, and used only in the spring and summer which is why the mileage is so low. The color is pewter, the interior is black leather. It is an automatic. The only problem is the insurance because my son is on the family insurance policy. He is 19 and even though he doesnt drive it, the insurance company lists him as as occasional driver. It is the best sports vehicle we ever owned.

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  Still Love it - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Lloyd - November 15 - 6:53 pm

  Its been a year and a half. Had only one problem,pass side door lock stopped working. Car is a blast to drive. Dont care for the blaupunkt. Should have bose system. Otherwise very happy with car.

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  Great runabout - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Remi - November 15 - 6:20 pm

  We switched from a 5th wheel to a motorhome, and needed a small car to tow behind. The Vibe combines the japanese reliability with american style. It is fun to drive and great on gaz compared to my GMC 2500. The interior is roomy and flexible - I can put my bikes inside, which I could not in the Toyota Yaris I considered. The seats are comfy and the controls are well placed. I bought a set of 15 Inch Corolla rims along 195/65-15 snow tires - they fit perfectly - and I am having fun in the snow. With the various rebates, the Vibe came in at a lower price than the Toyota Matrix. This 57 years old owner is fully satisfied with his new toy!