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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  2005 GTO Sport Appearance Package (SAP) - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By chuckdi - November 23 - 1:19 pm

  I bought an 05 GTO with 18K miles with the sport appearance package or SAP which includes quad exhausts, cool side skirts, SAP front bumper and grills. Paint is Cyclone Gray. Added a JHP color matched gage pod for volts and engine oil pressure, chrome tail lights with red LEDs, chrome aluminum wheels, GM Performance high flow oil pump, headers and 160 degree therm. Use ALT friction modifier to engine oil (6 oz.) and 1 oz. to power steering. ALT claims 48% reduction in friction. ALT is Advanced Lubrication Technology. Removed rear spoiler and painted trunk lid. At 54K miles, replaced rotors and pads and replaced auto trans fluid and differential fluid with GM friction modifier.

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  Stylish and Practical - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Frank - November 23 - 1:23 am

  The 3.5 V6 engine provides plenty of power and the coupe is very quick at all speeds. Although the G6 uses a 4- speed transmission, gas mileage is pretty good. The G6 ride is firm and responsive, but there is a moderate amount of road noise. The interior is much improved over previous models, but still not perfect. The chrome outlined dash layout and controls are very nice, but there is way too much hard plastic that gives a cheap feel. Especially the steering wheel. It is hard, uncomfortable and will slip in your hands. The cup holders are put where drinks will restrict your driving. Overall, a well equipped and stylish vehicle for the money. Would recommend.

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  Sweet. - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Geo - November 21 - 9:36 pm

  Love the car. Replaced a G8 GXP. Very refined. Very spacious. Very quick. Terrible in the snow. I will need to buy snow tires next season for the first time in 30 years.

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  Best designed van - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By carsmart - November 21 - 6:46 am

  Best price and best design. Plenty of power, great fuel economy and uses only regular unleaded fuel.

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  2008 GP GXP - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By awos - November 21 - 4:30 am

  I have had my red GXP for 3 1/2 yrs now. She got 48,000 miles on her and no problems, here that Consumers Report, Car & Driver and rest of critics. The car preforms day in and day out. Fast, comfortable and reliable. I am 62" and theres plenty of room Interior is standing up better than expected.

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  not like 2006 - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By butch - November 20 - 7:43 pm

  Well, had the remote start problem back four times still not right. Steering tight. Gas is not good. Miss the change holder. Heated outside mirrors. Seat are not the best for ride, they changed them from 2006. Wish I had my 2006 back. Pag gr.

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  very happy man! - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By very happy man! - November 20 - 3:00 pm

  I bought this car in Philly and i live 2.5 hrs north of that. It is AWESOME, mine is liquid red with black and red leather interior. I actually stayed overnight at a hotel in Philly and waited for this one to come in with every feature you could get. It drives like is has a grip to the road like no other, I test drove a BMW 3 and 5 series, a CTS and a LEXUS and this ONE came out on TOP! I lOVE THE HORSEPOWER!

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  I just love my vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Greg Halford - November 20 - 7:16 am

  I am a private "eye" and I travel over a large portion of the Midwest. Since buying this car I have been continually surprised at the pep it has and the fuel economy. It just glides down the road like the other " Big Guys ". I have been impressed with its comfort, roadability, and its handling. Im a big guy and I fit in it like a glove. My only "gripe" would be the fact that there is a lot of plastic in the interior and it makes it more noisy than I would like. Other than that Im a really happy camper when it comes to the VIBE. !!!!

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  2003 Bonneville with 160,000 miles - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Sean - November 20 - 5:50 am

  I am 18 years old and this was my first car. I bought the car two years ago with 130,000 and it ran great. I still have the car and its still going strong with 168,000 miles. The only thing i have had to do with it is scheduled maintenance (oil changes, balancing tires, etc). Fuel economy is great for a 6 cylinder. It has a very smooth ride, and i like the comfortable leather seats. It also rides quite well at 120 mph. One of the only things i do not like about this car is that it is quite heavy, and does not stop as quickly as many other cars I have driven.

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  Waiting for the hammer to drop - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By Chris - November 20 - 5:23 am

  This was the worst vehicle I owned in well over 28 years, we (husband and I owned 5 GM in those years). We bought this as a buy back in 03, bought the platinum warranty, thank God. The problems started within a month, ignition wiring, spark plugs seized in place and cracked, fuel problems, torque converter problems, head gasket problems, rusted through and through on the roof with a big gaping hole in 04, window stopped working, ac clutch assy, flush injectors, valve body and pressure solenoid in transmission, throttle body, electrical problems that prevented starts or constant running, reconditioned heads, intake and plenum, t-stat, drive seal for the coolant leak in engine. 1st year