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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  built on a Friday! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By dave barry penb - September 14 - 2:00 am

  Consistent problems with this well beyond wear and tear. Other owners of Grand Prix have been very satisfied overall, not I. Heres a PARTIAL list: 2 batteries; 1 alternator; 1 condensor; 1 compressor; 2 o2 sensors; 2 fuel filters; 1 steering gear bushing; 1 fuel regulator; 2 heat selector resistors; 1 stereo; 3 wiper arms; 2 sets of spark plugs rated at 160 000 kms I have 114 000; the rocker panels have rusted been repaired and rusted through again; windshield is separating from the car and there is a leak in the tunk so water has left it mildewy and now it is behind the back seat. A lot for 3 years of owning. Expensive.

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  SSEi review - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By FXE - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The Pontiac Bonneville SSEi is a sensational bargain for the power, comfort, and overall room it delivers. For the price point it is hard to compete with it. If you are wanting to compare it to the foreign market it really doesnt have a direct comparison until you get way up into the larger BMWs and Lexus. The Bonneville doesnt compare in quality or design with the larger exotics. Its only true competitors reside in the domestic market, (Buicks and Cadillacs). The only drawback to the car is that it is FWD. A full horsepower northstar, along with RWD would make a lot closer to competing with the larger car foreign markets.

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  GrandAmLemon - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GMEatMyTow Charges - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The dealer tells me I was given a Friday car and apologizes. GM refuses to allow me out of lease. Ive had electrical issue since purchased the vehicle which is 2 1/2 years now. The Car doesnt start about 2 times a month on average. Just got car back from shop today and once again they swear its fixed. The 2nd time I heard that this month! The whole experience has been a 2 1/2 year nightmare for me. I know I could sue and win 10 attempts to fix the same problem twice this month alone. But I only have 3 more months on their lease they wont let me out of less I sue. HEY GM EAT THOSE JUMP START & TOW CHARGES!!!!

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  GrandAmLemon - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GrandAmLemon - September 14 - 2:00 am

  The dealer tells me I was given a Friday car and apologizes. GM refuses to allow me out of lease. Ive had electrical issue since purchased the vehicle which is 2 1/2 years now. The Car doesnt start about 3 times a month on average. Just got car back from shop today and once again they swear its fixed. The 2nd time I heard that this month! The latest excuse The whole experience has been a 2 1/2 year nightmare for me. I know I could sue and win 10 attempts to fix the same problem twice this month alone. But I only have 3 more months on their lease they wont let me out of less I sue. HEY GM EAT THOSE JUMP START & TOW CHARGES!!!!

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  damngoodcar - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By frank geisler - September 12 - 10:00 am

  liked everything about this pontiac. my next car will be a gtp

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  Great family minivan - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By Steve from Philly - September 12 - 6:00 am

  The extended model is the way to go for larger families - plenty of cargo space. After 5 months and several ski trips we are still very pleased with this car. The GM Buypower purchasing experience was great - all the dickering by email, came in to sign the papers and the deal was EXACTLY as represented. No typical car dealer bull****. Try that with Hondas "You can test drive it if you buy it first" approach.

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  4th Pontiac Grand Prix - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Dena - September 11 - 2:46 pm

  This is the 4th Grand Prix that I have had. I love these cars & hate the fact that GMC has stopped making them. I recently rented a 2010 Lacrosse for a road trip, & missed my car a lot. Grand Prixs are reliable from my experience, & will take the best care possible of this one. Drives like a dream, comfortable, enjoy everything about it. I just put new rims on it and have had several compliments already. I am very protective over this car, & know that I will get years of enjoyment with it. Nothing negative to say, I have been Blessed.

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  Great on gas, but poor engine - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Kristy - September 11 - 11:03 am

  I bought my vibe because I have heard such good reviews, and I liked the fact that it is a Toyota in disguise, but I am truly dissapointed. The check engine light came on and when checked out, it turns out I need a catalytic converter, also it has started losing oil so a compression test was done and I need a new engine also, which is why my cat. converter went bad. I have been sooo upset because I dont have the money to just go and put a whole new engine in and I have to have a car. Regular oil changes have always been done in this car so we dont know why the engine has went bad. I hope everyone else has better luck with their vibe.

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  This Car is My Baby - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Oneap - September 11 - 5:00 am

  Bought the car in 2003 out of a lease. It is the second car that I have owned and a real step up from my previous vehicle. I fell in love with it the day I saw it at the dealer. The only work I have had to do in 3 years is flush the coolant (preventstive maintenance) and replace the original battery (75,000 miles). The 3.8L engine and wide track suspension make it a dream to drive. Even though it is a 2000, I think it is one of the best looking cars on the road - the gentleman at the car wash place are particularly impressed. The picture for the vehicle on edmunds.com looks exactly like my baby. It is great car and I intend to drive it for some time!

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  HOT SUNFIRE! - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Avrils Pontiac - September 9 - 1:26 am

  I love my Sunfire SE Sedan, bought it brand new with 103 miles on it and now I got it up @ 135854 miles and never had a problem with it except for brakes, been having problems. But good car, I did alot to it so far. HID headlights, LED foglights(Yallow and White), limo tinting, intake, custom muffler/ail lights, LED brake lights/side marks, blue neons under car and inside, Sony CD player with iPod connection, Viper car alaram, 17" rims with NItto Tires and working on Lambo doors next ;)