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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  Sweet Ride - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Mikey - June 8 - 11:56 am

  I bought this Pontiac Vibe used with 48,000 miles on it, and purchased an additional 48 month/50,000 mile bumper to bumper coverage warranty from my Toyota dealer. I average 27 MPG mostly highway miles, but would probably get better mileage if I did not keep the speedo at 80 miles per hour. I love the ride after driving a jittery midsize pickup truck for 6 years. I have owned cars from just about every company out there, and I can honestly say I have never been more pleased after 5000 miles of driving. This car meets all of my driving needs and then some. The fit and finish on this 48,000 mile car are still as new. I love it.

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  Love it! so why dont others - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By ianearthstarr - June 7 - 4:16 pm

  I just Love my Aztek and the dealer tells me Aztek owners all feel strongly about them. I like the "Tiger ready to pounce" exterior look and so does my fiance. She bought a Red Vibe and now that I have this vehicle she keeps trying to drive it and leave me withthe smaller car. We can fold the seats all the way up and stow 2 bicycles in the back to go riding on the Cedar Valley Nature trail, and then fold them down and take anotrher couple out to eat that nite. It handles well and has enough get-up to meet my needs and the gas milkage is acceptable. I fail to understand why reviewers say it is awkward to handle as most owners like the interior comfort and handling.

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  I like my car but...... - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By lowlovesu - June 7 - 2:02 pm

  I purchased my grand prix gt a few years ago at auction. It had 101tho. miles. The car looked good and ran well at first but then many big issues began coming up. It seems each time it breaks down its at least 300 in repairs, it makes a gosh awful sequel.The belt was replaced twice and it still squeals? Also my gas gauge quit working awhile back . It also has some electrical glitches because random lights on the panel go on for example the low fuel light goes on all the time as well as the oil and coolant lights (even when all these things are changed) and the open trunk light doesnt work at all. Also the car is rusting pretty bad underneath But for 12 yrs old and counting its a decent car!

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  Love this thing................... - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Daryl - June 6 - 12:36 pm

  Nice car. I hope to drive this till it drops. I have a peppy 6cyl convertible. Very tight. speedy and responsive. It is beyond me why this car didnt sell better.

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  Third time is a charm??? - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By meaghanmcb - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This is my third GA and I was hoping third times a charm. This car was fun to drive, BUT repairs were often, costly, and repeated. I replaced alternator twice in 18 months! Had to replace fuel line, brakes, struts & shocks, gas cap (twice-????), 2 fuel injectors at once, then another, window motors... I did routine oil changes, tune-ups, etc. Normal wear-and-tear expected, but... Very high maintenance in my opinion. I would recommend this car only to someone who needs a cheap car for in-town driving--with my experience the GAs go down hill after their 4th birthday :)

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  Wow! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By camaroj - June 4 - 10:26 am

  Amaing car i am the second owner and this is the best car i have ever owned very reliable and great on gas i do keep up on the oil changed ext the first owner owned this car from 1999 to 2011 this is my second year owning this car and i will say my only complaints are the front of the car is to low to the ground and allways scrapes and the paint near the wheel wells is rusting my car now has 380000 miles and still runs great. if they were still making this car i would recomend to use less plastic and parts chip and break easy but the car it self is very relaible!

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  A corvette that sits four - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Best All rounder - June 3 - 9:33 am

  This is what horsepower is all about. SMOOTH power, clutch & shifter. Wonderful sport seat with high quality gorgeous red leather. I specially like the plain Jane look housing the lion under the hood. Even though I am not too fond of the hood scoops, but who wouldnt welcome more direct fresh air flow to the engine. It gets better MPG than many V-6 out there. Fall in love with this car in one quick drive. Driving slow in this car is a life long skill to master. Dont be a cop magnet !!!

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  I love this car! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Penny - June 1 - 4:40 pm

  I had rented a G6 when traveling and fell in love with it then. Now that I bought one of my own, it is even better than I imagine. I havent found anything about this car I dont like.

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  Lemon City - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By MaryBeth - June 1 - 3:43 am

  I purchase this car brand new. I had the car for a week and the speed gauges went out. I had to change the oxygen sensors three times. The battery went dead after three months. The electrical system had to be rewired after 3 mos. The front windshield cracked after two years. The car burned up a full tank of gas in three days. The car began to overheat and a component was added to regulate the temperature. Four years later the transmission went out and left me stranded on the side of the road. The trans would cost me $1900 to fix with a warranty. To top it off the moonroof went out. I had 50,000 miles which is low mileage because it stayed in the shop broken down. MS residents beware

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  The Best Used Car Out There... - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By gilly - June 1 - 2:00 am

  When we bought our car in the begining of 2001, it only had 30 thousand miles. We have since then put another 30 thousand driving to/from Chicago and Pennsylvania and to/from Dallas and Little Rock. That little car is very dependable and can handle being run into the ground.