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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  Driving excitement.... NOT!!!!!! - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jay1187 - August 24 - 10:00 am

  There are 2 things that are the most important to me when buying a car. Number 1 is the engine and number 2 is the transmission. The 4 speed automatic is excellent. It has clean crisp shifts and any throttle position. Up and downshifts are perfect. I have a serious problem with the 3.8L. How can GM use a huge displacement engine like the 3.8 but only get 195 horsepower? I have 95 Nissan Maximas outperforming me! The Maxima has a 3.0L V6 with 190 horsepower and it still outperforms my 3.8L. The 3800 series II V6 has 51.3 horsepower per liter while the 95 Maxima has 63.3 H.P.P.L. The 2002 Max has a 3.5L with 255HP! Thats almost 80 HPPL!

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  George review - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Geo - August 18 - 12:23 pm

  Cold --- even in a mild climate, you freeze if the temp gets below 10. Windows frost over at any temp below 40, defrost doesnt help. Why RED dash display?? Weve known since 1970 when watches with red led displays came out... YOU CANT SEE RED LED DISPLAYS IN SUNLIGHT!.... RED DISPLAY IS USELESS IN SUN LIGHT. Seats do not fold out of the way. Front windshield needs to be made thicker, first hit with a peace of flying gravel, good buy window. Headgasket leaks, wheel bearing out at 80000 miles. I would expect this from a CHRYSLER product. And not last or least.... what it the engine thermostat doing imbeeded so far down in the engine it takes 3 hours repair time and a $250.00 bill to replace it?

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  not the sweetest thing - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By elizabeth - August 12 - 10:00 am

  I personally have not been impressed with this car. I think that it is a very attractive car on the outside & that is what attracts a lot of people to this vehicle, but I would recommend talking to someone who owns one before purchasing one. I wish that I had!!!

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  Electrical problems - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By Band Mom - July 31 - 10:00 am

  I have enjoyed this van EXCEPT for an ongoing electrical prroblem. I have had the van ffor 40,000 miles and I have had to have 3 electrical system repairs done. The cruise control keeps going out and then the brake lights go out. I am told that GM has a tangled mess of wiring in the stering column and it is a difficult repair to make and really get all the wires connected and keep them connected wwhile you put it back together.

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  Spent More time In shop than on Road - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By MommyC - July 20 - 10:00 am

  I have driven the car for only 5,000, but it has been in the shop over 5 times trying to get the Sun roof to stop leaking and popping. I am not looking forward to a winter in the snow with this roof. pontiac are considering a recall because of the poor performance / design. I do not like the way the roof flexes when the Sun Roof opens and closes.

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  Problems - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By mlk - July 17 - 2:26 pm

  Very pleased with the ride and handling. Problems with rear air, blows hot air even though it has been repaired several times. Low coolant level all the time, mechanic said I need to replace the vehicle soon becuase the coolant is leaking into the engine oil. Constant problems with the power sliding door - sticks open often, dont use it anymore. Great interior, still looks like new but cupholders broke soon after purchase- flimsy and ill placed. Driver side heated seats went out soon after warranty expired. Love the red lighted dash lighting. CD player gets very hot. Great with winter starting.

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  On my third battery in shop now - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By J Langley - July 11 - 4:26 pm

  Its a sharp looking car and I did really love it. But, its been in the shop three times ( its there now). Its just stopped running when I was going down the road. Wouldnt start the next time and the last time all the light started flashing and it died. Next time it will be a lemon and Ill get an attorney. It just cant be trusted. Im a women and I dont want to be stranded.

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  Horrible Ride 4 college student - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Brandon - July 8 - 9:40 am

  Im a college student so i needed a reliable ride! This was definitely NOT what i was expecting. Car was good at first then became extremely horrible. Kept up with the maintenance but the stupid POWER REDUCED spell kicked in anyway! Ended up trading for Nissan Sentra and will never look at an American car the same way!!

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  Not a bad car if you get good rebates - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Tevin2 - July 8 - 2:00 am

  My other car is a 96 VW with 165000 on it and the interior and exterior panels still fit better than my brand new grand am. Not impressed with the comfort of the seats not supportave enough. I had a little sticker shock at $27,000, but after rebates and gm discounts got it for under $20,000

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  GM denotes General Maintainence - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By GM JUNK - July 7 - 12:33 pm

  What a horrible vehicle. From the day i bought it, it was in the shop for an intake gasket then, a fuel pump, brakes, constant emissions problems, power seat, a/c, cracked exhaust manifold and the problems continue. No wonder imports retain value. With the quality of gm cars, there is no competition for imports. Keep-up the "great" work GM.