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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  Great car for Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By RMIII - August 26 - 11:13 am

  I, like anybody else, read all the reviews before buying. All I can say is dont listen to people who are trashing it. With my work I rent approx. 15 cars a year (Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, Chevys, Fords). I honestly cannot say any car was better than the G6. Overall is a great car to drive. We got a great price on it, thousands less than a honda. Interior is worlds ahead of the old Grand Am it replaced. It actually has a personality. I never thought I would own a GM car, but I was actually impressed with this pontiac. If you go into it looking for a Lexus at $16,000 you wont happy. If you take it for what it is, its a great car for a great price. GM still does build some quality cars.

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  No problems - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By heavenbndt - August 26 - 6:00 am

  Ive had my 2001 grand am for two years now and have had no problems with it. It has power I didnt expect it to have and moves good in traffic. The gas mileage is good compared to my ford truck and it is a comfortable ride. I love my car and felt it was a good deal.

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  Gas Mileage! - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By kadog - August 25 - 8:40 pm

  Great car overall. Looked for about a year. Just had a baby so needed something 4 door with room and great gas mileage. Did not want a minivan. Only have 2k miles on it, so far no problems other than a slight rattle on the dash from plastic piece vibrating loose? Hence the 7 on build quality. Hesitant to buy Pontiac, my dad was a Grand Am fanatic and they always had problems, dont know why he kept buying them. Found out it was basically a Toyota Matrix and I was sold. Like the sportier look of the Pontiac, better warranty also.

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  Nice, fast, clean - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Nathan - August 25 - 6:56 pm

  This is my first GTO--the car was more than I could have hoped for. Pictures dont do this car justice. Its comfortable, fast, and looks good. This owner gives the 04 GTO two thumbs up. I am a large framed person, over 300 pounds and I fit in the car with no problems. Plenty of room for me and passengers. I would by another but I we get snow here in Ohio and sports cars dont do well in the snow. I have not had the chance to get this car on the track but I will the first opportunity I get!

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  I No Longer Have The Cheap Car Blues - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By NCDEEWILL - August 25 - 8:20 am

  Ladies and Gentleman. Hallelujuh, the cheap car blues are over! I have recently purchased a 2.4ltr G6 sedan and I am loving every minute that I drive this beautiful creature. First of all the aggressive sports stance and stunning good looks of my black beauty turn heads. Never had anybody ask about my Civic. Never. Secondly, if you press on the gas this car will run away faster than a stripper from a tent revival. (In case you didnt know thats pretty quick)The engine very smooth and even with the automatic tranny the car is able to get the power to the ground and thus, move quickly. That said, I would suggest this car to the budget minded individual who doesnt want to look like it.

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  Second Owner Experience - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ruffrider2k2 - August 24 - 7:19 pm

  Purchased car with 50k miles in 2009 as 2nd owner. Carfax showed well maintained. At 130k miles now. Have had to replace rear window motor twice, catylitic converter 70k (free), both cylinder head gaskets 80k, fuel pump 80k, brakes 80k, two sets of tires 85K &100k. Upgraded to better tread on second set of Yokos with 30k so far. Get intermittent turn signal failures and switch noise when not in use. Security light on rarely, but does not disable engine start. Transmission hard shifting occasionally and have to shut and restart engine to resolve. May be electronic or going out. Oil changes and maintenance regularly.

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  Never Again - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mikki - August 24 - 7:26 am

  Not a good car through rain and puddles. It only has 27,000 on the odometer and the trans is shifting hard, clanking noise every now and again in front. Brakes have been fixed once and checked three times. They still squeal. Mechanic says its the brakes they put on cars these days. Also has blind spots. Paid $22,000 and is simply not worth the money. Im trading it in A.S.A.P

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  Pontiac is the Best - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jeanne - August 24 - 4:06 am

  I am a 54 year old woman who has had nothing but Pontiacs. I wanted the 2005 Grand Am because it was the last year they were making it. I bought it new. I loved my 89 and love this one even more!! You cannot go wrong with a Pontiac!

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  2005 sunfire - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By C.J. - August 24 - 1:06 am

  Fun to drive, good acceleration, good mileage. A few rattles. Good in snow. Good value for the $.

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  This Car Saved My Husbands Life - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Denise - August 23 - 10:36 pm

  I have read numerous bad reviews on the G-6, but I have to say I truly believe this car is the reason my husband is still alive. He was almost run off the road by another vehicle trying to move into his lane on the interstate causing him to lose control, hit a guardrail and flip one and half times. The car is a complete loss of course, but my husband walked away with one stitch in his elbow and an abrasion on his hand. The interior cabin (except for the airbag and the windshield busting out) was completely untouched. Everyone including the employee at the junk yard could not believe my husband walked away. I will miss my pretty blue car but I will forever be grateful it saved his life.