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:

• 

  Awesome car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Greg Carlson - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Have had the car for 5 months and like it more on every road trip taken with it. MPG has averaged over 35 even in city driving with the A/C on. Lots of comments from people about the unique style of the car.

• 

  Old Faithfull - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Timmer - May 27 - 10:00 am

  I used to own a 1989 Pontiac Grand Prix SE and was amazed at how reliable it was; under every bad weather and road condition you could feel safe and assured. I recently purchased a 1997 GT and have found no fault with it as well, other than a few minor scratches and dings. Its nice to know that qaulity didnt skip a generation. I cant believe how good of gas miliage I get with the 3800 series II V6, which I here is one the Top 6 Engines for qaulity in the world. I like this one and hope it will last me along time. Cheers Pontiac

• 

  Montana 99 - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Wendy Kihl - May 27 - 10:00 am

  Weve been so pleased with our Montana we are considering a 2003. We have driven Plymouth and GMC and this has been our favorite so far. The ride and gas mileage are terrific. There have been no major repairs in 4+ years. The overhead console, power seat, steering wheel controls, front and rear air, to name a few, have all been excellent options. The only down side to the vehilce is that is doesnt seem to retain much of a trade in value, which is disappointing.

• 

  good car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By geniebob - May 27 - 10:00 am

  had very little problems with car and dealer fixed them under warranty. tires wore pretty fast about 32000 miles. ride quiet, no mechanical trouble, dependable.

• 

  good car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Bobo13 - May 27 - 10:00 am

  ive had the car for 2.5 years and have a couple of problems. I had to kick it in a nowhere back of the woods place in wisconsin cause a module blew on me. but after that ive had no problems cept that ive had to replace my brake pads every year.... but thats prob cause of my exsesive speeds and hard braking. IM prob gonna buy a mazda 6 for next car though....

• 

  Still fun, more reliable than expected - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By terminaldegree - May 27 - 8:06 am

  I have a manual transmission base model as my daily driver. It accelerates, brakes, and corners well while managing to be decently comfortable and returning great highway MPG on cheap 87 octane gas. Its the quintessential cheap sporty car. Performance add-ons I recommend without affecting reliability include a dual exhaust, Pro 5.0 shifter (WAY more precise), a Torsen limited-slip rear (expensive but very different experience than the open diff), and the ubiquitous aftermarket stereo system. When cleaned up it still gets a lot of compliments.

• 

  My Red Pontiac Grand Prix! - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Automan - May 26 - 9:06 am

  I love my car. It is red w/the 3.8 V6 and the decklid spoiler! I love to drive it everywhere. I always get compliments. My car has 77,000 miles on it and I get asked if it is brand new. It has ice cold A/C w/ 5 air vents! I would never trade it in for anything but another new designed Grand Prix. I feel safe and more than comfortable. I was once at a stoplight next to a new mustang, Sorry, but I left him and his pony in the dust!

• 

  Favorite Car Yet - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By BlueShark13 - May 25 - 4:46 pm

  A fun car to drive. Its very sporty and has great pickup for only having a 4cylinder. My fiance is always bugging me to let her drive it as well. Overall, a great car and my favorite yet of the 4 cars I have owned.

• 

  The best car Ill ever own! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By jere - May 25 - 8:20 am

  Ive only owned my 04 GTO for a little over a week now, but have loved them ever since they re-released them. In this short time, Ive come to the solemn reality that this is the best car Ill ever own! Everything about the way the car drives, handles, accelerates, brakes, was designed to perfection. Everyday I make a boring drive to a boring job, but Im smiling ear-to-ear both to and from! My GTO is black, with black windows and black rims- very sleek. Anytime Im just cruising around, I constantly see people turning their heads to watch me drive by and listen to the wonderful low rumble. I havent pinpointed it yet- but there is just something about this car that is just menacing.

• 

  great vehicle - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By stephen t oakley - May 25 - 1:03 am

  vehicle is a solid great handling vehicle with 32 MPG hwy and zero to 60 in 7.2 seconds,,, overall quality of fit and finish is 10/10. great engine and give a feeling that your are totally in control. rides like a much bigger vehicle and other than limited interior storage, great buy at 23k...sto