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 Car - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By nice car - April 3 - 2:26 pm

  I got this car for free since it was no longer accommodating for my Dad (the very low seating position and getting in and out is difficult when your 72 years old and have hip/knee problems). Replaced all the brakes and rotors (all 4 were warped...no idea why). Put in about $200 for parts and did the work myself. Only problems now are non-functioning electric window on rear passenger side and an oil leak (one from sending unit and a rear main seal). I dont plan to fix these since I dont ride in the back seat (sorry passenger) and the oil leak will probably be expensive....I will fix it if it is just the oil sending unit....wont do it if it is the rear main seal. Got the car 9 months ago

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  14yrs - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Joseph Cole - April 3 - 3:14 am

  I have had my Grand Am since oct of 2000... she had 13k miles on her. she now has close to 150k on her. just recently had problems with the engine. My timing guide snapped and now I replaced it bout to start her up and hope for the best. 14 yrs and she still has the same alternator and starter from factory. only had to replace the upper rad inlet n the bcm in the 14yrs I have had her. very good car. plan on keeping her till she all rusted out n can no longer drive.

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  GTO---Gas, Tires, and Oooooooooooohhh - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO DAN - April 2 - 7:26 pm

  I have owned 3 GTOs....1968,1969,and a 1970. I have owned the 70 since 1979. My son and I are rebuilding the 70 from the frame up. This will take several years and I need horsepower!! When I first saw the 2004 GTO, I was upset! It was missing all the markings of a GTO (single exhaust,no hood scoops,etc..etc.)When I saw the 2006,I test drove it. What a ride!! I love this car!! Please dont tell my 70. The build is perfect. No flaws,tight fit,comfortable, FAST and gas mileage!! I chose the automatic and it shifts perfectly and matches the engines output no matter what the throttle position. I cant believe they stopped making it! The best way to describe the car is a 4 seat corvette!! GO GTO

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  Best car yet! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By jpontiac - April 2 - 3:09 pm

  This car was the 4th car I have owned, and I was warned always to not buy this brand because of the way pontiacs usually turn out to be, But I love my car! its by far my favorite and im pretty sure I will drive this car until it just wont go anymore! I just love the way it drives and the way it handles, also its very spacious and great to take on long trips! The people who are having many problems are victims of cars that were not maintained and to be honest the way that they drive. If you drive it easy it will last you forever :)

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  Goodbye big SUVs, Hello CUVs - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Uncle John - April 2 - 2:00 am

  I finally downsized and got rid of a GMC Jimmy which was nothing but trouble. I picked the Vibe since its got the heart of a Toyota and the body of a Pontiac. The car hugs the road around corners, handles better than any vehicle Ive ever owned, and has a 5 star crash test and gets 30 mpg. locally. I got the 5 speed with the moon and tunes package (Sunroof and 200 watt sound system) and the safety package with side air bags and antilock brakes. The storage space is amazing with the back seat folded down. I bought a 4X6 foot indoor/outdoor charcoal carpet at Home Depot to line the storage area. This car is so much fun to drive as a 5 speed.

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  i love my grand prix se - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mz mylkshake - April 2 - 2:00 am

  i bought my grand prix not too long ago and i have not been dissappointed it had 68000 miles on it when i bought it and a few small knicks and scratches but i love it nonethe less, it is so fun to drive and although i could not get the gt i wanted the se has alot of kick i love the room i have i love the car all im missing is a sunroof which i may add myself

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  Do not buy this car - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Beth - April 1 - 5:13 pm

  I bought a used G6 GT last March and have had nothing but problems with car. First the paint started to chip off the car. Then the break lights started to work opposite (not consistently) which made it almost impossible to have fix. I ended up buying a new BCM (600.00 computer) at 34K. After this, my CD changer broke and I had that replaced. I also replaced the brake pads and both outer tierods and tires (which wore out because of the tierods). Now the power shifts when the car is driving. The lights on the dash will surge to the radio and the rest of the vehicle. The radio will also shift from one side to the other. All in 10 months.

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  Best car since 1996 impala ss - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By FUTURE CLASSIC CAR - March 31 - 11:03 am

  love this car. prior owner of 1996 impala ss & this car is better build & really performs. it is very pretty & classy. get compliments all the time. if pontiac would advertise this car more, it would help their bottom line.

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  NW Bonneville Review (2001) - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Hank Schmitten - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Very happy with this car. It replaces a 1993 Bonneville SSE with more than 140,000 miles. Great improvement over a previous great car. Only minor gripes are with the head rests which are set too far back to provide best protection and comfort, and the inability to see into the glove compartment. You just fish blind to find anything stored there.

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  Great value for the Price - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Devnek - March 31 - 10:00 am

  Has all the features that I wanted in a larger size car. Has great pick-up and leg room (Im taller and drivers side leg room in many cars leave a lot to be desired).