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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  Awesone Car - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ammy hendrickson - December 26 - 12:00 am

  My husband bought me this car and I love it. It looks like it cost more than it did. Corners very well and the sound system is the best.

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  Vicious and Delicious - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Bill - December 25 - 11:03 pm

  I love being able to roll up next to someone driving an Acura or Infiniti or BMW 3/5 series and then smoke them off the line. They had no idea. Ive not had one problem with the car. The best experience is driving this car around town and everyone looking at it because you dont see these cars everyday.. And the ride is very comfortable.

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  Average Luxury Car - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Jessica - December 25 - 8:13 pm

  Ive had my 4 cylinder G6 2007 for about a month. The first problem was it has warped rotors. My car was a lease with only 20,000 miles on it so I dont understand why it has warped rotors. The mechanic says that it could easily happen by slamming on your brakes while going through a deep puddle of water at high speeds. Yeah sounds simple but if thats the case that sounds like an accident that was not reported. Next, either I like to drive too fast or the car is slow at kicking in speed. I previously had an 2003 Alero with 121,000 miles and it drives very similarly to that. Not good or my Alero was in excellent condition (and it was)But for an 07 I expect more. Overall the car is great!

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  We Drive Excitment - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Drive Excitment! - December 25 - 12:03 pm

  I bought this car because I have always loved Pontiac syle. Its a two door and looks mean. It has very good power from a v6 200hp, 240 supercharged but not worth the extra $$$. Reilability of these engines are suppose to be unsurpassed. Handling is very good and you can take curves and stuff faster than normal cars. As for some of this reviews below, these cars DO NOT have a timing belt! This is the old timing chain, pushrod, dependable motor that has been around forever! (since the 70s) As for the bad... Its not common to have a steering itermediate shaft go out... Bad GM design. *dealerships tend to try and replace the Rack and Pinion to cure this sound* beware its usually the shaft!

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  Great car, good ride - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Robert Cacciotti - December 25 - 9:23 am

  Car is very easy to get in and out. Seats are great, one of the best seats that I have sat in. 3.9 liter motor runs very well. Top works great. Best of all it does not have a dollar sign on the hood i.e. benz, bmw, lexas, Volvo ect. For the money great buy in my book.

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  Worse Car Ever Owned - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By ShameonGM - December 25 - 7:06 am

  From the second day I purchased this vehicle, we have had nothing but problems. Our first year alone it was serviced 14 times. I wont even start to describe all the problems. From bumper to bumper , we have had problems. Poorest handling, poorest acceleration, when you hit a bump the doors feel like they are going to fall off. We are on our 3rd set of tires, we cannot keep an alignment on it. Unfortunately for us, we have tried to trade for another mini van of better quality, most car dealers will not accept them on trades and if they do , my kids bicycle is worth more than the van.

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  Very disappointed - 2009 Pontiac G3
  By BB - December 23 - 4:06 pm

  Thinking of heading to the Lemon Law on this car...going in for the 3rd time in 6 months for check engine light having to do with the gas vac. canister...Wont take this on any kind of a trip and would like nothing better than to be rid of it...Hate to look at the dashboard when we turn it on.

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  2006 Pontiac G6 GT 4dr Coupe (3.5L 6cyl - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By tb24336 - December 23 - 10:16 am

  My car leaks all the time. I had to replace new front brakes and front roators already twice. I have own the car less than 2 years!! When I turn my left wheel it makes a odd clicking noise. Also, when putting the car in reverse. The shifter gets stuck!!

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  Ultimate Sleeper - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By John Bruning - December 22 - 8:33 pm

  Okay, so the Monero didnt make it in the U.S. market. Under any other name, it would have been a hit, especially if the price had been competitive with the Mustang GT. Purists didnt like the exterior, non-muscle car styling, so the GTO died after 06. Those of us who own a modern GTO know the truth: this is one of the fastest sleeper cars ever built. The 400 HP V8 sets the Goat on its haunches with a toe-twitch. It handles superbly and the stiff feel of the steering wheel is a huge improvement over the numb and the mundane. Forget the Mustang GT. Forget the Charger RT or SRT8. None of those three muscle cars can touch the all- round performance, handling and power of the 06 GTO.

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  Buy This Car Now!!!! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By John Bruning - December 21 - 10:06 am

  Just purchased a G8 GT, liquid red. This is a big car with the handling of a tiny European sports car. Turn radius is amazingly tight. Power is incredible-almost as good as my 400 HP GTO. The On-Star system is a tremendous value, as is the hands free phone. Interior is spacious and comfy. This is a car to take on a back road in the hills. It loves curves and turns. It is a joy to drive. Pontiac & Holden have hit a home run with this beast. Im sold on Pontiac, and GM will have my business for years to come.