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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  It was worth the wait..... - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Wright - April 19 - 5:00 am

  I saw this car when it was introduced in 2002 at the Detroit Auto Show. I knew I had to have one! It is everything I imagined and more!

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  Good Value - but questions remain - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Gary - April 17 - 8:13 pm

  Great Gas Mileage. Fun Car to drive. Fits smaller people like a glove. Some quirks that seem not to make sense such as Headlights always on(Can not be turned off at any time), Front windows recall(mine were fixed under warranty before recall), Front of car including hood chips very easily, and most nagging for me is the fan in the car is always on(air comes through vents constantly). These things get noticed after newness of car wears off!

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  Do yourself a favor and go buy one - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By McFly269 - April 17 - 4:26 pm

  Ive had my car for about a month now and I love it. The V6 packs a great punch, but can get you in trouble. When you hit 80 you still feel like you are going 40. The only thing I wish it came with was a navigation system. That was the only feature that had me looking at other cars, but when it came down to it the novelty and styling were too much for me to pass up on. The other feature that I didnt expect was the trunk space. This car has ridiculous trunk space for a coupe.

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  96,000 and still going!! - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ski1022 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car brand new and will probably drive it till it dies. VERY reliable car with very minor maintenance. Had the water pump replaced when the car was new but that was covered, but other than that just your basice oil changes, brakes, tires etc.

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  Love My Grand Am - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Benzcrazy1 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Grand Am in January of 04 (My First Car) with 63,900 miles and now has 66,920 and hasnt given me one single problem. I have had to change the Serpentine Belt (I didnt like the squeaking noise). I had the transmission serviced, oil changed, and new fuel filter at 66,033 miles. Hope to get have a long life with this car!

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  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By amfinanceguy - April 16 - 10:00 am

  This may be the car that renews my belief in American auto manufacturers. A true "spiritual cousin" to an M3 (could use a little better handling), if youre "sitting on the fence", do yourself a favor and save $20K over an M3. Quality build, fit, and finish plus that lovely American V8 rumble. What a pure pleasure!! The first car Ive bought since my M3 that has brought just a huge smile to my face every time I drive it.

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  Firebirds are sweet - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By mike - April 16 - 12:56 am

  Firebirds are sweet. They should have kept making them. They have the best handling and performance a car can ever give!

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  Wolf in Sheeps Clothing - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By nac4life - April 14 - 9:16 pm

  What more can you say? 400 HP. Quiet, smooth ride, handles good and can take off like a rocket in a heartbeat. Sure the y could have done more with the appearance but thats what makes this car such a good package. Yeah some people may have bought a bad one and come on here and rip the car, but youll have that with any model. Take it for a spin, you wont be disappointed. I sure wasnt.

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  my review - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By awd wagon - April 14 - 1:33 pm

  I drive on highway for going to work but live on country dirt roads and it handles very well on all kinds of roads.It also handles well in the snow.

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  No more Hondas for me! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GM Convert - April 14 - 11:30 am

  After an accident I got a Grand Prix as a loaner. Turning the key & hearing the rumble of the twin exhausts got my undivided attention. Good acceleration, gas mileage & style won me over! The V6 Accord & Camry get about the same mileage but both look like Grandpa-mobiles! Initial quality is great-I’ve not been back for anything to repaired-my Accord had many trips back! Upkeep is less & the insurance rates are lower than my ‘superior’ Honda. The GT is the best value w/extra toys, traction control, antilock brakes & twin exhaust. One rental week converted me– I haven’t owned a GM car in 20 years but I don’t think I’ll ever consider another foreign car again… this one is too good!