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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  My GT1 Grand Am - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By JDD - January 5 - 2:00 am

  This is a great running AMERICAN car. As usual, most people overlook cars like this due to the perception that Foreign made is "better made". I feel this car is going to be very dependable, and for the time I have had the car, its fun to drive, ok on gas, easy to park. Looks good even sitting still--far better looking that the current "rice" look seen far to ofen: civics , corollas, etc., with spoilers over a foot tall on the trunks of their rusted 4-bangers with a cannon size exhaust outlet and enough racing stickers to almost prevent the drivers seeing out of the windows...

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  Awesome Car for the money! - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By Ashley - January 3 - 10:23 am

  In the time I have now owned my 2008 Pontiac G5, I have absolutely found nothing I have not liked about he vehicle. It was a steal at the price, with the five year warranty, plus it has all the extras that I wouldnt have been able to afford if I had bought the competitor vehicles such as the chevy cobalt. The car handles great, gets competative gas mileage, no better or worse than any other small car, and it is so quiet while running, and has great brakes in comoparison to other cars I have driven. It was definitely a great buy for my as a college student, but it wouldnt be something I would reccommend to a really tall person, as it would be too tiny, or someone with kids.

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  Excellent - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Carrie - January 2 - 4:56 pm

  I was researching a 2005-2007 Vibe and one could not be found that did not have extremely high miles. That should have told me something. I purchased my Vibe on 05/03/08 and absolutely love it. It is very fun to drive and handles great.

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  Awesome car! - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Rachel - January 2 - 3:06 pm

  I bought this car in 2006 with barely 25,000 miles on it. I never had ANY problems with it, aside from totaling it last week. This car was never to the mechanic and ran very smoothly. The one thing I wouldve changed would have been a roomier back seat. The cup holders were also in an unpleasant spot. Extremely reliable car! Im going to miss mine so much!

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  Great Car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By bb - January 2 - 12:50 pm

  I have had mine almost 4 years, bought with 40K, now 90k.. Amazing, only thing replaced was brakes. I live in Colorado, drive up mtn passes all the time.. plenty of power and great in the snow (not sure what the other person was saying down below).. typically get 30 mpg in mixed driving, close to 40 on the hwy only. Its so much bigger than it looks, can put my mtn bike inside without taking off the front wheel. I like the clearance as well, helps in the snow and offroad

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  my car - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By janae benedict - December 31 - 10:00 am

  the 2004 sunfire has really good gas milage. it has alot of room and a big trunk. its fun to drive and it always gets looks when i drive down the street

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  My 2004 Grand Prix GT2 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mary Humphrey - December 31 - 10:00 am

  I have traveled in deep snow pounding rain and have never lost control of my vehicle. This is the second Grand Prix I have owned and I dont think I will be changing models for a while. I buy a new car every 2-3 years and I am very happy with the grand prix.

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  good choice - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Darl - December 31 - 2:26 am

  We were looking for a good mileage vehicle to replace our 1990 Dodge Caravan. Bought this new. Have 3000 miles on it now. We have gotten as much as 30 MPG. Always in high 20s. With the ice and snow we get here in Indiana the AWD has been a definate plus. We find ourselves creeping up over the speed limit with out even realizing it it is that smooth. The only dislike we have about it is the drippling rear windshield washer. No spray just dribbles dealer states that is the way it was made!!

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  First Car - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Roman - December 27 - 9:23 pm

  I bought this car after having nothing but trucks sinc I was 16. I took one look at this car and it was love at first sight!! It only had about 65k on it and was in mint condition. I love everything about this car except for the rims that come on the special edition package, a minor setback. I have had no problems yet and I hope to not have any either. I love the gas mileage coming from a diesel truck that was getting around 11 mpg Yikes! It will get up and go with the best of them and stay up pretty good. It does govern out at 126 but I dont think thats a prob since I wont be going that fast all the time..

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  Fantastic - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By sneece - December 27 - 8:46 pm

  I just totaled my 02 Grand Am and I miss her sorely. For the 5 years I had her and the 104K miles I put on her, I never had to replace anything on her that wasnt expected. I kept my up on my oil changes and took good care of her with tune-ups, alignments and everything. She was a great car. I never had any complaints and I drive in Atlanta!