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 value and safe at that - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Howie Adams - July 8 - 10:26 pm

  My wife just totaled her Vibe after having for a few years. We owned from 20k to 82k miles. We had to change brakes and one set of tires...nothing else. Overall it had a nice sporty look and was comfortable to make long 1000 mile trips. I would highly recommend. Car was hit very hard in front and no scratches to driver. I wouldnt have thought of as safe as car as it is. Going out to buy another

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  Starting to show age - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By NY Dude is cool - July 4 - 10:00 am

  My GP is great but its starting to show its age. Sterring wheel controls stopped working and i needed new rear struts a few months ago, power window switch went as well fortuantly it wasnt the motor. The engine is still running great. And this is car is very structually sound, a few years ago a large tree limb fell on the car, and the car was driveable no broken glass or lights, door trunk and hood could open and close. Gas milage wasnt that good until I upgraded to a K & N air filer gas miliage went from 18-19 around town to 21-22n and highway went from 23-24 to 28-29.

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  overall-solid car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By csmith6107 - July 1 - 7:43 am

  So I purchased my 2004 Pontiac Grand Am for $700 from my mothers friend (previously I thought Pontiacs were terrible). I use it as a daily driver to get to school, work, hangout with friends, etc. The only complaint I have is the clicking sound that it makes. It sounds like the turn signal, but is more sporadic and very annoying. I have had it for about a year now and I love how it drives. It handles pretty well in the snow and can pick up pretty quick if needed. I find myself checking it out every time I park. Im coming up on 200,000 miles and am going to part ways with it soon due to the expense of a timing belt, definitely considering buying another one though!!!

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  Seems better than I expected - 2009 Pontiac G3
  By Dave - June 26 - 11:20 pm

  Just purchased with clunker deal. With all discounts ; clunker, GM , card and other discounts, bought $18,000 car for $8,000 plus Tax and Title. Just wanted a bridge car to hold me until all the Electric ,Hybrid and other new innovations come to market, but am pleasantly surprised. This a neat ,fun to drive little car.

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  Damn Good Vehicle - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Joe Cottone sr - June 26 - 8:46 am

  My lease on the 2006 is up next month & am looking to replace it with another Torrent, thats how much I like it. Gas mileage is 16 city 22 hwy, handles well, roomy enough for my 62" 350lb front or back seat. Dont need 3rd seat. I am looking for comfort & economy, the engine has plenty of get up & go when needed. Has plenty of added features that seem to work well when needed, good enough storage space. Great Looking Too!

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  love my pontiac - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By gi-gi - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Bought this one used, its clean with great pick-up. Fun to drive and everyone fits. Needs better cup holders.

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  I love this little car - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By fett - June 22 - 10:00 am

  I love the way this little car looks and drives. Its way more fun than any of the other cars I drove and for some reason it feels more powerful than the others. Its dirt cheap and perfect for every day driving.

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  Good car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By me - June 21 - 8:03 am

  Very good so far. No problem since bought. Good looking and great features. Fast speed up. Big storage room. Good sound quality radio. Separated (60/40) foldable back seats. Auto headlight and taillight, interior dim light. tire pressure monitor. Smooth shift transmission.

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  1999 pontiac grand am - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Max Valentine - June 16 - 2:00 am

  The 1999 Pontiac Grand Am I really love this car.The proformance,reliability,it get grate gas milage.

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  one tough car - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By denice - June 13 - 2:33 am

  in this sunfire we hit a deer and no damage was done. After owning the car for four years i hit a three quarter ton chevy and no damage was done (but caved in the door of the chevy. backed into a half ton chevy and no damage. and the last thing is i jumped out of the car and forgot to put it in park and the car ran into the house and it did not receive any damage. we have 112,000 mile and still get 27 miles per gallon. no major problems and scheduled maintance is the only thing we have had to do to it.