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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  Amazing car - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By branj70 - February 14 - 11:25 am

  I have an 06 6-speed in Spice Red and this is by far one of the nicest cars GM could have offered. The interior is as comfortable as a new Cadillac, and very original. NOTHING on the inside was borrowed from any other US GM cars, since its Holden. The only problems Ive had are the junk stock struts and theyre not difficult to replace. Also, its difficult to get replacement parts since you can only get them Australia, otherwise if you find them here in the US, youll pay through the nose. Its an absolutely amazing and powerful car, just take care of them!!!

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  A truely brilliant and special car - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By rennfahrer - February 12 - 11:30 am

  Not many words need be said of this car. Just notice the next one you see on the road that has been properly taken care of. Near perfect sportscar design and function. Yes the live rear end does try to spoil the party from time to time, but the sheer enjoyment of driving the last properly true muscle car made in the world is an event to behold. Enough with the hillbilly ferrari jokes. These cars have exceptional road feel and lateral stability! The LS1 and 6 speed work perfectly together, getting 18mpg in the city and around 32(!)mpg highway. OEM brakes are fantastic. My car currently has 100k tacked on and feels solid as a rock.

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  Great Little ute - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Great little SUV - February 12 - 8:46 am

  I researched and then some in my attempt to buy a small to midsize SUV, looked at the VUE and wasnt impressed, Envoy and Trailblazer are too overpriced, I saw the Torrent and took her for a drive and all i can say is that it I enjoy it thoroughly, nice get up and go, and roomy as hell interior, and price was great, i paid $21,000 for 2wd with the 17 in wheel package, I recommend it to anyone in the market for a small to midsize SUV

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  Excellent SUV - Fun to drive - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Stan - February 10 - 9:13 am

  Excellent SUV! Drives well and looks great. Gas mileage is decent, with the engine offering plenty of power and pep. Im 62", and I find the seats very comfortable with plenty of legroom. My Torrent has the "Crystal Lake" paint color, which sometimes looks blue, sometimes green, sometimes purple! GM has definitely improved on their interiors with this car

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  MY 2005 GTO - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Brian - February 8 - 8:06 pm

  By chance, visiting my wifes family in Marion, Va. I spotted this Impluse Blue 05 GTO, sitting at the front of the lot at an auto store .. I walked over and bought the GTO on the spot (without even a test drive) & drove the GTO back to our home in Horse Shoe, NC. It now has 1385 of the most enjoyable miles I have ever put on a vehicle. Wife & I love this car! NO I am not having a midlife crisis and YES, I do remember the GTOs of the 60s / 70s.. but, the NEW GTO has them beat--performance, ride quality, & comfort.

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  My Affordable Mid-Life Crisis Machine - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Hate to Stop - February 7 - 5:23 pm

  Wow! I got the G6 GT Convert w/the 3.9 V6 Sport & Premium Pkg, adjust pedals, side bags, the works. I am a big man (300+ 61") and still fit well in this car. When the top is down, I am even comfortable in the back seat. My wife is much shorter and with the adjust pedals and tilt tele steering wheel, finds a comfortable position too. The ride and handling are great. I drive a daily round trip commute of 70 miles and this car works fine. Turn off the traction control, stomp the gas and you burn the tires but this is a cruiser, not a dragster. I dont have a garage and didnt think a cloth top would wear well. A steel top was my only option and Pontiac has delivered! I love this car!

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  Last New Pontiac - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Ohioguy - February 5 - 6:56 am

  My 2008 G8 GT apparently will be my last new Pontiac. It is Pontiac number 17 for me, starting with a 1965 GTO. They certainly saved the best for last. I love this car! From its sinister metallic black paint to its red & black leather seats, it is a winner. Losing Pontiac is painful. Not continuing this car is a sin. GM - please wake up!

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  Great interior design - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jeffbx - February 5 - 2:00 am

  I replaced my 2002 Ford Taurus with this 2004 Grand Prix GT2, and the difference is like night and day. The Grand Prix is MUCH nicer on the inside than any previous model. Power is much better than the Taurus, and the ABS and traction control make a big difference on the snowy roads. I am very satisfied with this purchase!

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  My Congratulations to Pontiac - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By T. Giles - February 4 - 12:40 pm

  All i have to say is congratulations Pontiac for creating the car I have dreamed of. I upgraded from a 2004 Grand Prix, a car that i have thoroughly enjoyed for all of the 104000 miles i put on it and i was completely blown away. The G8 GT is in my opinion one of the best sport sedans ever produced. It is gorgeous inside and out. It doesnt have all that goofy euro sport sedan styling, just big fenders and a beefy body. 100% American muscle. I would recommend this car to anyone! Pay the extra for the V8 its worth it.

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  excellent - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By FST - February 3 - 10:00 am

  Fun , lot of space , good vision , confortable , I will buy an other one , buy in leather and full package or you will be disappointed , On star should be improved