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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  To my surprise!! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By carolyn stack - December 3 - 5:43 am

  I love driving my new G6 convertible it has great pickup. its fun to drive, i can talk on my cell phone with the top down and hear perfectly clearly. The wind resistance is awesome. i think it has to do with the front windshield..i was also surprised at the truck space with even with the top down. i love that it is a hard top, it maykes all the difference, even with the top of it has a ton of room inside back and front and its very stylish

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  2nd Vibe - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Lee Blanton - December 2 - 8:36 am

  We just bought our 2nd Vibe! The ride quality, solid feel, gas mileage and cargo capacity of my wifes Vibe just couldnt be beat. I drove a base front wheel drive but it just didnt have the same solid feel. We bought our first Vibe last year in April and have been very pleased. Great cars and fun to drive!

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  Pontiac Aztek - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By WILLIAM MICHAUD - December 2 - 12:06 am

  Despite the negative reviews I have read, I find this vehicle to be a great handling SUV. It is quiet, has great features, gives decent mileage, and is fairly comfortable. The only problem I have encountered to date is the rear hatch release, sometimes requiring 2 or three clicks to open.

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  Love it - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Matt - December 1 - 5:03 pm

  I did a lot of research about this car before I decided to buy. Great ride and drive. Seats are as comfy as you will find. Great car all around, one of very few cars that is comfy on a long trip. Fuel Mileage is about 20.5 on a long trip with cruise at 75.

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  New to me - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By skitterbug - December 1 - 2:50 pm

  My 08 grand prix is 2 yrs old w/ 60k miles. Ive only had it 2 days but so far it seems like a good car. The interior could use some work, Im 57 and I feel like im going to hit my head on the roof w/ the seat completely lowered. On the other hand my 2 children cannt see out the windows in the back because the seats are too low. My son is 43, 5 yrs old and in a booster, the window placement is way too high. Plus Im use to driving SUVs and I dont like how low the car sits I feel like I have to pull myself up out of the car. Time will tell I love pontiac and this is my second one. My sunfire lasted 7 years w/ tons of driving and little maintence hope this one holds up as well.

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  Lousy car, Lousy dealer - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Heff - December 1 - 8:30 am

  This was my second GP...what a disappointment! The A/C was repaired 3 years in a row. Once under warranty and the last two on me. The A/C was not working again this year, so the car is gone. Given a different reason each time, supposedly, but the result was always the same - no A/C. Water leaks, bearings, undiagnosed vibrations, excessive road noise and tire wear, a stereo system with speakers that constantly cut out, and non-stop computer problems made this car the worst I have ever owned. The most the dealer would say - well, that happens some time. Ive purchased several cars from this dealer, but never again. Likewise for the Grand Prix.

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  A G6 with some miles on it - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By vortec442 - November 30 - 2:10 pm

  I looked at several cars and with gas climbing the G6 seemed to have good power and a good fuel mileage. It lives up to all that. Biggest problem is the electric steering is going out and dealers are scratching heads trying to fix it (I have been to 2 dealers 3 times) engine is making some noise when cold and loosing a little power.Interior parts are cheap with a few cracks and breaks.If the car can be fixed this is still a peppy little car with a great price tag, that turns heads a carries a great 5year, 100,000 mile warranty. Prior I owned a Grand Am, very similar. Also very roomy. My father is 62" 300+ and rides in here no problem

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  Great 1st Vehicle - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GTGuy - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Bought this as my first new vehicle and ordered it before it was in the showrooms. Still drives like a dream without any problems. Sporty, reliable, and fun. I highly recommend this vehicle.

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  Love My Grand Am - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ricknj56 - November 30 - 2:00 am

  Have 102,000+ on it and it still runs almost as good as the day I brought it home. Power Window and Alternator had to be replaced at my expense, but thats all the expenses I have incurred other than normal maintainence (Oil, brakes, tuneup, etc...)

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  I Love My Aztek - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By theonlydwm - November 30 - 2:00 am

  The Pontiac Aztek has lived up to all my exspectations. This is an excellent vehicle. I would purchase it again. I realy hope Pontiac keeps it in the future.