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:

• 

  12 years and still running - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By cpa0217 - October 3 - 6:46 am

  I bought my Montana new 12 years ago. It currently has 172,000 miles on it. Overall, I have been very happy with it, but I have had a couple of moments. Ive had to replace the intake gasket twice - clearly an issue with this vehicle! Everything else was a result of age & normal wear & tear.

• 

  Grand Ams Turned To Junk Cars - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Better Unknown - October 1 - 2:00 am

  Due to a severe vibration in the right front of this vehicle that Pontiac could not figure out where the problem was, I sold this vehicle for a Honda. Gas mileage was also unacceptable.

• 

  Loved it but ready for something new - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By airiel13 - September 29 - 6:07 am

  Ive had this car for nearly 4 years! And Ive replaced just about every important part needed for the car to run!! Ive spent over $1000 on my car, not the best but if your willing to have to fixer upper buy this car!! Plus the interior is poor quality, and why brown???

• 

  Buy Something Else - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Displeased - September 26 - 10:00 am

  We have loved driving this car. Looks great! However, we have had several problems with it. Rack and Pinin had to be replaced at 1000 miles,and since then at least once a year, transmission problems, catalic converter had to be replaced, carbarator had problems, dash board panel peels, had to be replaced. Shakes and Rattles in side, High road noise. Cup holder is for two cups, but it will only hold one.

• 

  Its okay, but... - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By MiaT - September 25 - 7:10 am

  Im getting about 16-17mpg around town, and that is without much traffic and long desert roads. Have had the engine bolts tightened and still get rumbling when in idle. Door windows starting to get scratches. Was told they were off centered and will have to be fixed. Air conditioner starting to break too and have an appointment to get fixed also. Not the best vision (blind spots), but have driven worse. Not a lot of head room in back for tall people, but great for kids. Wish I had better things to say about it. I must have gotten the lemon.

• 

  2000 Montana Extended Van - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By GM3 - September 20 - 10:00 am

  Should have bought Japanese! Good, comfy vehicle (kind of like riding a sofa!) When I had to replace intake manifold gasket it cost about $1000 because of labor! Any more repairs and I am trading! Look at Siennas, Oddyseys or MPVs and save yourself the trouble!

• 

  2006 Pontiac G6 Horrible Quality - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By mcompton1021 - September 19 - 6:03 pm

  Again, another 2006 pontiac quality problem. I have a 2006 Grand Prix with many issues and my wifes 2006 G6 is worse. This one was bought new by her father for graduation. It now has just over 30,000 miles and has had the driver side mirror heater go nuts and melt the casing, had the power steering rack completely replaced, the vanity mirror broke and was replaced, and numerous other parts were all replaced under warranty. I wanted so bad to be a advocate for american car manufacturers but I have given up at this point. Still less than 35000 miles and the car has been in the shop so many times. New problems keep appearing but now not under warranty so cannot afford to fix

• 

  Got worse with more miles - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Scott - September 16 - 8:46 pm

  Car seems to have gotten worse with more miles. I now have almost 29,000 miles and Ive already had to replace the brakes, turn rotors, AC stopped blowing recently, numerous alignment and tire issues, needed to get the steering column lubed (now its starting to make noise again), had to have passenger side airbag sensor replaced once and serviced two other times. Unfortunately it feels like the reliability is not there. It feels like the more miles I get on the car the more things go out. Car handles well and cruises real nice at high speeds on interstate. I feel like Pontiac just threw this car together real quick. I will shop around more next time.

• 

  OK for the Price - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Steve Harper - September 9 - 4:33 pm

  We test drove a number of other small sedans/hatchbacks before deciding to purchase a Vibe. The ride quality and offered features seemed to be a cut above the rest of the pack. However, so far we are not too impressed with the build quality (center wheel caps fell off, sunroof leaks, rear view mirror vibrates, paint easily scratched; instrument panel rattles/squeaks in cold weather). Also, the gas mileage is only OK (averaging 24 mpg in mixed driving). Traction in the snow seems to be reasonably good.

• 

  Cant Say Im Thrilled - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Susan - August 27 - 4:00 am

  As my first SUV, I loved it at first. Then hit the winter and I felt like I had no car around me. Slid everywhere and even did one 360 - fortunately, no injuries and no damage. Put weight in back, but wheel bearings could take it. Its a beautiful car, but I just dont feel safe. And a year ago I was able to get up to 23 mpg - now lucky if I get 19. Whats up?