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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  this is a good 2.4 car - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jonathan - April 4 - 4:53 am

  This car is actually a good car. Yes Ive had my problems with it but what used cars dont you. When I bought it it had a major problem that the company fixed. But after that minor problems. It is by far the most powerful 4cycl engine Ive driven.

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  Fun to Drive - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Good to Go - April 4 - 3:30 am

  I love this car! I compare it to the Subaru Outback because of its versatility. Ive only had it two weeks but I can tell the gas mileage is great. Only problem Ive come across is putting gas in the tank. The pump constantly shuts off like its full even when I just start pumping. Very annoying, takes 10 minutes to fill tank. Anyone else have this issue? I checked on recalls or campaigns and found none. Other than that, great car.

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  My first car! - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By L33y4 - April 3 - 5:50 am

  I recently bought this car used with only 50,000 km on it. It was extremely cheap, and thats why I got it. Its my first manual transmission, and its so fun to drive! Nothing has gone wrong yet, and hopefully wont for a while! Though the 2 middle air vents dont work. I didnt realize it until after I got the car. Im sure its fixable though. Before this I drove a cheap little Korean car, and compared to that thing, the Sunfire looks and feels like a $40,000 car! I will never drive foreign again! American cars have more fun features to offer with better quality too! Besides the body lasts forever on American.

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  Awesome Family Vehicle - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By Julie - April 2 - 6:36 pm

  We bought our Montana because we has small children and wanted the convenience of the back seat access for car seats. It has been a wonderful van for us. Love the easy cleanability of the leather seats, the access to rear seats, the ease of lowering the back seat for more cargo space. We have had no major repairs. We have taken good care of our van and had regular maintenance, which makes a world of difference. All mechanical systems still working great. Its a comfortable van, easy to drive and great for families.

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  Greatncar - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By ehc - April 2 - 9:36 am

  Ive had no problems with my Solstice. The transmission is the only drawback -- stiff to shift and poor choices in gear ratios.

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  Bonnevilles are the BEST - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By mightymouse75 - April 2 - 6:50 am

  This is my third Bonneville. I love them. The SLE model with leather and heated seats and moonroof and remote start and the list goes on. I have owned it since 149,000 miles and now have 190,000 4 years later. GREAT car. Now I finally need valve cover gaskets. Not too shabby. I would buy another in a heartbeat. If you are considering one just do carfax and see what problems "it" has had. If it looks clean, then buy it , you wont regret it!!!!!!!!!!

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  Awful Build Quality/Reliability - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By cpuuri-3 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  At 6 yrs and 83k miles, I have a few more problems to list. Now the power door lock actuator (front, passenger) works when it feels like it ($52/part). The clear portion of the other headlamp fell off ($72/part). Dealer tried to BS me about WI climate and it not being a frequent problem (Ive done the research). Still losing about a quart of oil/change, and now the high pressure hose coming into the power steering module is leaking. I rarely get above 20 MPG, now. I have reached a dilemma, do I buy a Honda, or use the $3k I have in GM Card earnings?!?!

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  nice when it starts - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mandy00000000 - April 1 - 2:00 am

  I love this car I really do, when it starts. We bought this car a year ago with 7800 miles on it and have 35000 on it now. Soon after I bought it I had troubles with the car starting. It usually takes 2-3 times to start (not all the time) Ive taken it into the dealership 3 times about this and they just tell me that its a computer quirk and there is no cure for it. I would have no complaints if it would just start the first time.

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  Impressive - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Stevo - March 31 - 1:33 am

  I purchased this car over a month ago, and the driving still impresses me. It has excellent handling around curves and turns, and stay right with you wherever you want to go. The car gets decent gas mileage, and provides awesome acceleration for a 4-door. Unfortunately the coupes are basically the same car with less doors, so the back passengers will lose space to sit, but in my 4 door there is more room in there than you think. 4 full sized adult males could comfortably go on a road trip in this.

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  Replaced My Boring Toyota Camry - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Aldo - March 30 - 3:13 am

  I purchased my Grand Prix because my wife has a 2002 Grand Prix which has 83,000 miles and the only repair was a wheel bearing. I have replaced tires and brakes but these are normal maintenance. I replaced my 2001 Camry, with the 2005 Grand Prix, the Camry was not a good car, I purchased it brand new and it had issues at 25,000 miles which were under warranty, but the last two years it was starting to cost me big bucks, it was time to get rid of it.89,000) Iwas always comparing my Toyota with the 2002 Grand Prix, which I purchased with 16,000 miles. Toyota makes a good car but mine must have been built by trainees. When I saw the 2005 Grand Prix and I took it out, I fell in love with it.