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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  Ugly? Maybe, but I love it - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Joe Gutierrez - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Im not sure how Edmunds.com could say that this Mini-van has too much roll in its handling, or that its underpowered at the higher end. As a confirmed sedan driver, I have always prized a car with a firm, stable ride. I really didnt want a mini-van, but decided on this one because of its sure-footed, firm ride. The 17 inch tires, on the FWD only, help it corner very well. I had no problem driving on this winters snowy roads either. The 3.4 V-6 has plenty, and its geared to give a nice kick at higher speeds as well. Of course, in the final analysis, it is a mini-van, not a sports car.

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  Great Prix - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Wish - January 29 - 10:00 am

  Love this car! Especially the throaty purr of the engine!

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  Fun and Excitement - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By shinnick79 - January 29 - 10:00 am

  I just purchased a 2003 Pontiac Grand AM in February of 2003. This car was deffinetly worth the money. This is by far the best Grand Am ever built. I would like to say congradulations to the Pontiac division. You deffinetly built a great car.

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  What i had expected - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Montreal driver - January 29 - 10:00 am

  this vehicule is totaly reliable, i enjoy driving each day this car, this car have a good looking and i like going anywhere, because its looking great in any occasion. I dont have any mechanical problem and dont expect any, i have the quad four engine which is really good. i dont know about the automatic transmission but i know that the manual transmission is really good and i dont need a V6 to get power, the quad four is good enough and i like performance, so normal drivers dont need really more, and this without going to 4000 RPM when really needed.

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  Nice Car - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By John - January 28 - 7:40 pm

  I bought this car to replace my 1999 SC1 Saturn. I was looking at the Toyota Matrix but the Vibe is the same car and I got a better deal. The ride is real smooth and is very easy to park in tight places. The only real gripe is you can not turn off the headlights, even in park. Most cars come with a off switch for the automatic lights but this car does not have the capability.

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  Mustang Killer - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Extender32 - January 28 - 6:26 pm

  I had bought a fusion orange G8 GT just last year but but after learning about the demise of Pontiac, I thought it was time to upggrade to the GXP. The car is quick (about as quick as my 06 GTO)and the exhaust note is super too when you mash the petal. The GT was flawless for the 10,000 miles and the fuel mileage was acceptable (24 MPG to/from work). I dont expect that there will be any problems with the GXP either.

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By webbr - January 27 - 9:20 am

  In response to 2004 Grand Am SE1 Written by: GrandAmmer on 03/28/2009, I wanted to comment that the reason there is not a dipstick to check transmission fluid level is because these vehicles have a sealed for life transmission!! I have owned this car for six months now and love it. I got it with 70k miles on it. I have the 3400 v6 4door version. It is stylish inside and out. It is also very peppy for a v6 and sips the gas. I average 25 mpg with mostly city driving. I get closer to 30mpg if I drive all highway. The stereo is also very nice for factory!

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  A great American muscle car - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By TransAmChick - January 27 - 2:20 am

  97 Pontiac Trans Am. Love my baby! I bought this car used (one owner), and its now 11 years old, but youd never know it. Its been very dependable and hasnt given me any major problems, except that I go through rotors fairly fast even though Im not hard on braking. Obviously not recommended for everyone, but its awesome to drive. Its my daily driver, and I put about 8,000 miles on it annually. Not too good in the snow, but if youve driven RWD before, youll know what to expect - Traction control helps. If you have a "beater" and can keep a car like this in the garage in the winter, thats the best option. Its a shame GM doesnt make these anymore; they are sorely missed.

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  Turns Heads - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By nucka - January 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is very appealing. People always stop me and ask "what type of car is that?" Some would like to call it a SUV station wagon but still think the body style of the car has something to say.

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  buy this vehichle - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By ijkarwoski - January 24 - 10:00 am

  Anyone who thinks this car is ugly is right,but dont knock it until you try it. I was not sold on one until I drove it. IT drives like a sports car.It is soooo smooth! There is room for bunches O stuff!! There is tons of head room for big persons. The possibilites of destinations are endless! It looks and feels like somesort of a futuristic speceship. People do not like it because they cant catoegorize it. Phooey on them!!!!!