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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  Exactly what I was looking for - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By annrad - July 8 - 4:53 am

  I replaced my small pickup truck with the used Vibe as I wanted a front wheel drive vehicle with flexible cargo area. My work requires I get around in all weather, and I frequently carry pets, camping gear and stuff. We just had a rare snow storm here in AR, and this car got me everywhere I needed to go, it is great! I have the standard transmission, and am getting 31-32 mpg in town, better than I expected. The car came with the moon and tunes option, which is great fun. My only problem initially was that the plasic storage area to the left of the steering wheel kept falling open. I finally managed to remove and replace it, now its staying closed. This car is every thing I wanted.

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  Lumpy quality - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Marky61 - July 7 - 3:26 pm

  The good news is the Montana is a well designed minivan that eats up the miles comfortably and returns good gas mileage. The bad news is the van is built with cheap plastic inside that readily falls apart. The rear hatch pull strap broke in my wifes hand after only a few months. The transmission hesitates a little and I fear it will break down sooner than later. Wind caught the drivers door last week and yanked it hard against the hinges (fully open) and bent the top hinge. Talk about cheaply made! Now the door whistles on the highway. Looking for a good bodyshop that can fix it properly. These vans are very cheaply made!

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  Initial impressions - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Mikesan - July 7 - 9:46 am

  Just brought it home. At 6 tall and 184 lbs its a bit tight in the driver seat, but there is plenty of headroom with the top up. Engine is a bit buzzy and the shifter vibrates when in gear but shifts smoothly. Drove it conservatively for the 250 mile trip home and got 29 mpg! Handles like a go kart. Stopped for gas and two women came up and talked to me about the car. The first insisted that it was a Porsche. Talk about a chick magnet!!

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  Awesome family van! - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By Alaska Family - July 6 - 10:03 am

  My husband and I bought this van when I was pregnant with our third boy, anticipating the need for enough space for 3 car seats. We were looking for a used vehicle that would seat our family and visiting grandparents (at least 7 seats), with AWD (we live in North Pole, Alaska), and preferably something that would allow us to place all three car seats in the same row (our kids are almost 4, almost 2, and newborn). We found what we were looking for with this van! It is the only one I found used in our town with AWD that seats 8. The space is wonderful! We can fit all three large car seats in the middle row for easy access to buckle the boys in.

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  Waiting for it to bite the dust - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carrie - July 6 - 6:43 am

  I have had this car for about 4 years and have had several problems with it along with several breakdowns on the side of the road. My alternator has gone out twice, I have had a continuous oil leak that was supposed to be fixed, it squeaks when I drive it and no one can tell me what is wrong with it, there is always a problem with my alignment, and I have had problems with the electrical system - when I turn on the air conditioner my headlights will turn off. Not supposed to happen right? Also my gas gauge tells me the wrong amount of gas I actually have. I am trading in this car before it breaks down on me again. Thank god for triple A.

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  Nothing but GOOD! - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Liana - July 5 - 7:53 am

  I bought this car brand new in 2003 . I have NEVER had any trouble with it. I change the oil & have tune ups (regular stuff) but thats it. This is a GREAT car. Plenty of room!! Great for trips. I have the leather seats, 6 cd changer, moon roof etc. FABULOUS car! I would buy one all over again! I can ONLY say good things about this vehicle. I really do like ALL the room withour it being a huge SUV. If you have an opportunity to buy one, go ahead - do it without hesitation. This car has been extremely reliable!! Mine is not a 4 wheel drive but it handles great in the snow. GREAT car!!

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  Great car for the price - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By Shawn - July 4 - 10:16 pm

  Got this car last week it is fun to drive and has alot of power for a V6 love the Xm radio and Onstar is great love the turn by turn nav and the remote start is a nice thing to have, and the warranty is up to 100,000 miles so that made us like the car even more.

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  Crap on four wheels - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By angelajoe - July 3 - 12:58 pm

  We bought this car used only had a few thousand km on it. Since then we have found that the rims and tires are hard to get. The car is to low in winter this causes damage. Now cylinder 5 has a missfire and the plug broke off in the engine just completly siezed in the engine. Also the front brakes are wearing out prematurly would get rid of it but owe to much on it to trade it in but in a year i will be going ford this car is a total dissapointment. Way to much plastic and the interior feels and looks cheap but the outside looks okay.

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  Cute car... Not reliable - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By srb - July 3 - 11:10 am

  I purchased this car new 6/2007. I didnt even have it 24 hours and the convertible broke. 6 months later the rear and front main oil seal was leaking, the paint was flaking, the steering shaft was popping.

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  Amazing - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Chris J - July 3 - 10:43 am

  All the complaints dont define this car. Being a mechanic I know most of malfunctions are driver wear without maintnace. although there are somethings that just happen. the clunk noise in the front end is a strut plate the seals are just a litte flawed and owning many 3.8s the intake gaskets are only a matter of time. Fun to drive. Great gas mileage. Looks Sleek and has plenty of power and room if anyone complains about that tell them to get a mini van. Oh and one more thing. Start making them again !!!!