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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  Disappointed they dont make em no more - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Aztec Fan - November 4 - 11:03 pm

  I love my car! it is roomy and comfortable. gas mileage is considerable. i love that it is different. i would rather stick out with my "ugly" "garbage truck lookin thing" than not be noticed! i love that it has several cigarette lighters. the windows that go all the way down in the backseat are great. i love having all the extra cargo room in the back. i drove it from california to michigan and not a complaint about the comfort. i think the acceleration is pretty good. i used to have a jeep wrangler that was slow as molasses. i love that i dont have to get an oil change every 3K miles. my car tells me when it wants one. i wish they would make these still.

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  so far so good - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By anasanchez - November 3 - 10:10 pm

  I just bought my g6 this past Saturday so far so good, it has a smooth drive nice simple basic interior the chrome makes that basic interior look good i can fit my two car seats in the back with room for one person to fit (skinny) the trunk looks small but my massage table fits in the trunk perfect.The seats are comfy and I like how it tells me how much mileage Im getting from a full tank on the radio.

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  Great gas mileage - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By David - November 2 - 3:30 pm

  Fantastic car its comfortable just depending on what day it is some days its great others not so great i recently went on a 375 mile trip got fantastic mpgs epa estimated is only 30 highway and everyone seems to get it so i was very very happy when i got and average of 36.7 mpg which is fantastic for a car of that size and no i wasnt drive 55 like grandma i ran 80 - 85 mph the whole way and i had to slow down for construction then speed back up so it surprised the sh*t out of me when it got that good so far the only problem clunking noise from front driver side which is a known problem and i know what it is and GM updated the part in 2009 so in a G6 = fantastic you gotta get on

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  2004 Pontiac Grand Prix - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carrie Ontiveros - October 31 - 3:46 pm

  Having previously owned a 2002 Grand Prix, which was totaled in an accident, I sought another Grand Prix. I enjoy driving this car due to the quick pick up and go and the comfortableness of the seats. The interior is much sportier and appealing. Although I do prefer the 2002 exterior better. This car looks very sporty and drives very nicely.

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  My Tinker Toy - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By RobinDeVerna - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Love it.......Drove it from Ohio to Florida and it rode as good as my old Grand Marquis....and a lot cheaper on gas.

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  2003 VIBE - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By PatJack - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Used as a once a week commuter averaging 300 miles R/T,as well as in- town use. Great mileage,bulk load carrying, handling, comfort.

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  No Jive in my Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By SoCal Greg - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love with the Vibe AWD in the showroom. Bought it after a test drive and have had no regrets. Its a head turner and generates considerable comments from people in parking lots who want to know more about it. Forget the PT Cruiser - the Vibe is whats happening! Seats are a little uncomfortable on long trips but otherwise its ideal for us.

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  Miss My Baby - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By AutumnEliza - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a dream to own! I bought this used in the end of 2000 and have had NO problems with it. The interior was so comfortable, the drive so wonderful, I am having the hardest time finding another car to compare. Visibility is great in this car with oversized side-view mirrors and for a 4 cylinder, boy does this car have pep! You dont even need the V6.

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  lovin it - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By tyler - October 30 - 11:06 am

  I bought mine about 4 months ago and i love it. i had it supercharged about a month ago so now i have 560 hp and 530 ft lbs of torque. I was blowing the doors off of mustangs right out of the box, but now... i like virtually everything about the car except the shifter as everyone has said and the handling is just a little bit too soft. other than that its an awesome muscle car that can be tuned to beat anything for very little money. you need to get one... quick

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  Best Minivan- Pontiac Montana - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By pjk - October 30 - 3:06 am

  re: true cost to own. 9 years I would like to submit my true cost to own a 1999 Pontiac Montana I sold recently to buy my new Buick. Total repair cost for 9 years. $82 Two rear stop lights... price $12 One tie rod end ... price $50 first part to fail 8.5 years old. 75K miles Charge A/C ..... price $20 one can of refrigerant. total $82 The rest of repairs were two sets of tires two sets of brake shoes oil changes every 3K Thats it. Van bought new $17k plus tax. Van sold 9 years later $5100 $11900 total depreciation $1322 depreciation per year. This Van was driven 95% in the Pgh area .. salt in winter potholes,hills, average trip was about 3 miles. It still looked like new no rust