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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  Good Car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By spd98 - March 17 - 10:00 am

  I have loved this car although it was abused before I took ownership. With a little bit of work it turned out to be a great car. I am trading it in on a slightly newer GTP model.

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  I Love My Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Animale - March 17 - 10:00 am

  All I can say about my Vibe is WOW. The car ride is solid,verry quite for the most part. The gas usage is great. The colors offered is out of site its hard to choose. The interior options is great, with all the options that is offered their is nothing to want for. I get a new auto about every 18 month and I can honestly say that, I will mostly likely get another vibe,this is one on the nisest car I have ever owned.

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  Very Great Car - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Matt - March 17 - 12:53 am

  This car is great. I had a Saturn and this car is great. The design of the car is really a car that GM seems to have done right. I think that the one thing that needs to change is that keyless Remote need to come on the value package. But all in all fun to drive and looks great

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  GXP - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By John - March 10 - 7:50 am

  I love getting behind the wheel of this thing. The power and sound of the exhaust is so sweet, with the heads-up display and the design of the dash. This powerful sedan will be with me for the next few years guaranteed. I am very impressed with what GM did with the 5.3 liter in their newer cars now. This was an awesome step by G.M.

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  Love this car - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By D J McCue - March 9 - 10:00 am

  Bought this GXP in Feb 2005; actually bought it for my wife; not only does she love it , but I like to drive it; I grew up in the muscle car era and this reminds me of it. Love the Northstar V8. The car has been very reliable with decent mileage considering the power available City 14.5/Highway about 23. Love the HUD, memory driver features(seats & mirror, plus radio. Ours is Black with Grey interior; its a real head turner. The car is garage kept and has very low mileage (driven to/from grocery store by a little old lady; we are in our late 60s). Her previous car was a 1996 T-Top Camaro RS, with 3.8L V-6, also low mileage, 10 years, 34,000. We plan on keeping the GXP a Long time!

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  Safe, but fun car! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By rachel - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I have had my pontiac G6 for over a year now and i absolutely love it. A month after i bought it a deer jumped onto my windshield (on my side) while i was doing 65 mph, i slammed on my brakes and my car slid off the road. I, as well as my two passengers, walked away without a scratch. I havent had to replace anything on my car since ive had it. I love love love my car and i would recommend it to anyone looking for a safe, sporty, and reliable car.

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  Sad to say bye - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Robert Nolan - March 8 - 9:56 pm

  this silver 4d gt ram air, all leather,monsoon sound, sun roof, power everywhere, really made a statement,especially after I installed Altezza tail lamps and added some pinstriping. Now this is my wifes car, she is a middle aged teenager,and loved the power,and auto daylight headlights, purchased it at 23,000 miles certified, (just traded it off on a 2005 Chrysler pacifica touring) at 57,000 miles,absolutely a problem free car!!!! added brakes in front and protenza tires, thats it! great gas mileage, Id have kept it a lot longer, but my wife has been diagnosed with MS and it is a strain to get in and out now, as a sports car are low to the ground. Fun car..but had to go #&^%*@!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR!!!!!! - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By lovemysolstice - March 8 - 9:16 am

  I bought my new 08 Solstice(base) 5 weeks ago and am loving every minute of it. Most of the reviews list similar negatives which are true, but as for the storage issues, lack of a spare tire, fussy top operation, plasticky interior and ridiculous cupholders, etc..., I would not want any of these items improved if it compromised the beautiful looks or low price of the car. Performance in my base model, while nothing exciting, is adequate. I am 6 215 lbs and the car is plenty comfortable, although I am wishing I had gotten power windows, due only to the fact that the window crank protrudes in to the area where my left leg rests and is a bit uncomfortable. Did I mention that I love this car?

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  Blue Streak Dream - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Michell Obrochta - March 7 - 8:43 am

  I purchased my G5 on 8/28/06. So far I am very impressed. This 4 cylinder engine is very powerful. Shifting is very smooth with the 4 speed automatic transmission. I live in a very hilly area in New York state and have had no problems getting up these hills. If you have looked at this car then take a second look. Breathtaking!!!

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  A very nice ride - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Scott - March 6 - 4:30 am

  This is my second Vibe. I upgraded to the GT because I wanted more power and versatility with 6 speeds. I was not disappointed. I am getting 35+ mpg hwy, and about 30 in the city, which greatly exceeds my expectations (and EPA ratings). What a great car, and fun to drive!