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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  DONT BUY GM - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By dontbuyGM - March 18 - 10:00 am

  Had my car less than 6 months and it started falling apart. VERY POOR quality car. The paint is peeling off all over. Front end of car is messed up, Ive been told it was more than likely damaged at the factory. ****GM mechanics SUCK!! I have had 6 dashes, 4 left panels, 3 right panels, 3 consoles, and the stereo replaced!! ALL because the "GM CERTIFIED MR GOODWRENCH MECHANICS" are careless when they work on my car!!! And guess what GM customer service does NOT care I have called numerous times!! BEWARE OF HOW FAST THIS CAR CAN FALL APART!!! BUY A FORD INSTEAD!! I WISH I HAD!!!!!

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  Average Car but Cheap - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By rsyang123 - February 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought the car b/c it was extremely cheap w/ all the discounts. Not worth very much for trade-in value. Havent had any major problems yet but numerous minor defects. Doesnt have the solid feel to it. Poor gas milage - only ~23 mpg for even the highway.

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  Repairs plus Repairs - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Kevin M. - February 17 - 12:10 am

  Just lost the tranny the other day with only 62,000 miles and most of the miles on the vehicle are highway miles. The heating system has been a disappointment from day one. Power Window and Door Locks have been more problems that what they are worth. Over $800 were spent on trying to diagnose why the service engine light was on, only to have it come on again and have the dealer say a valve is going out in the transmission, but it wont hurt to drive it - right? The van was religiously serviced but apparently the American quality just isnt there. I have a problem when you pay over $25,000 for a new vehichle and it has major system failures only after 62,000 miles.

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  Never Again - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Disappointted - January 29 - 2:36 pm

  Ive had more problems with this car in the last two years than any other vehicle Ive owned.It shakes when I try to stop, it makes clunking noises when i turn, it continues to crank after already crunk, cuts off, water in the head light, pins in the sunroof keeps slipping out, brakes issues, and many more issues.I will not ever buy another Pontiac.Very poor quality vechile. Some issues not covered under warranty even though so many are having the same issue. Great customer right.. NOT.

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  Huge Disappointment - GM lost me - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By SM - January 21 - 10:40 am

  Bought the car last month and have nothing but problems. Just got back from the dealer and they tell me there is nothing wrong with the car. A near vision-blurring vibration, engine misfires, transmission sticks in second, and the stability control turning itself off then cannot be turned back on are just a few of the complaints. Ive been a GM guy and in the auto biz for almost 30 years. 12 major malfunctions at 1k miles Paleeeeze. GM seems to have lost it as far as Im concerned. If you have issues with your car like I do, you will find out what "The New GM" is really all about. Based on my current experience, I would not recommend any new GM product. My car is a lemon!

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  Im never looking at another Pontiac. - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By never buy pontiac - January 17 - 2:43 am

  I got my G6 in May 2008. Complained about the brakes up the first two weeks of me buying the car. (7000 mi @ purchase) I have been to the shop complaining about brake numerous times! The car is always ticking and making a squeaky noise. I have no clue what it is. The check engine light has came on a few times. I want to get rid of this! Sticking with Honda and Nissan from now on! I would never buy another G6 or suggest that anyone else does!!

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  Horrible Car - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By amye87 - January 16 - 6:46 am

  I bought this car almost a year ago and it’s absolutely horrible. The first mistake I made was buying it from Car Hop. They charge double than what it is really worth. Within 4 months I had to put a ton of money into it, the brake pads were bad, tires were bad, it needed ball joints amongst other issues. The reason I went with Car Hop is because they claim to be cheaper (not overall) and they allow you to get liability insurance instead of full coverage. Definitely not worth the price. I do like the look and feel of the car, and everything in terms of air, radio and controls work fine, but the internal problems are far too severe. I would not recommend this car to new buyers or lookers.

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  I bought a lemon - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By donna - January 8 - 10:00 am

  I bought my car 3/2006, brand new, and I have experienced several problems with this car. 2 years ago there was a loud noise coming from the engine and I went to the dealer on 3 occasions and eventually they fixed it. This Saturday while driving, the car just stopped with no warning, in the middle of traffic, on Crenshaw Blvd. I complained to the corporate office the 1st time about the noise and complained about it this time. I was told by the dealer that the engine was frozen and that I needed to pay for them to take the engine apart to see what was wrong. I paid for an extended warranty and smartcare, and I am still being held responsible. I did everything that I was supposed to do. Danger!

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  2002 Bonneville SE - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Bennett - January 6 - 8:00 am

  We would not recommend this car to anyone. We have problems with the sunroof leaking, the windshield leaks, the control for the heated seats doesnt work. We had it replaced twice. The steering wheel has a hang in it when turning left. The antifreeze that is recommended for this car clogs us the radiator, and there is a gasket that leaks water into the motor.