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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  99 Sunfire GT - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Wrath - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car at an auction, after a serious accident. This only thing this car smokes, is other cars. Racing grand am GTs I win, Grand Prix GTs I win, Z24, base mustangs,comaros and firebids. Runs great, only probelm so far with it were the rotors. I had to replace them twice. Other than that this car is defenetely worth every cent.

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  Love my v6 firebird - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By anon@hotmail.com - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I bought my standard firebird model in April of 1998. The only problem Ive ever had with it was with the gas gauge not working correctly but the dealer fixed it with no problems after that. It has been a very reliable car. I had 2 Pontiac Grand Prixs before this car and I have to say that I have had very good luck with pontiac cars. One of my most favorite features on the Pontiac are the radio controls on the steering wheel.

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  Firebird - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Wrath - March 25 - 10:00 am

  This car is absolutely amazing, having test driven a comaro z28, and a mustang cobra, this car absolutely demolished the competition. This beautiful car is a must for any performance lover.

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  Im hooked. But not Sold!! - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Mak - March 25 - 10:00 am

  I rent the GrandPrix just about every other weekend. I love this car. It is fun to drive and has fabulous acceleration. I would love to buy one. However, tend to keep a car for more than 5 years and Ponitacs reliability is unproven. (read professional reviews as well as these) I do not trust the cars alternator, starter, or power train (transmission). I would definately recommend renting one and possibily leasing one for 2 years or less. If you buy get rid of this car at the 2 to 3 year mark, let somebody else be the case study for Ponitac. As soon as a see many 8 to 10 year old Grand Prixs driving around I might buy one.

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  Very Disappointed - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By kharv29 - March 25 - 10:00 am

  The car looked great. When we started driving, I noticed that there wasnt much legroom in the front passenger seat (the feet had to be almost together when legs were fully extended). I am only 6, so maybe that had something to do with it, but it shouldnt. Then the doors locked and the PLASTIC locking mechanism nearly fell off. You could see back inside the door panel. The VERY cheap interior plastics are unacceptable on a $20k+ car. Also, with only 2,154 miles on the car, one of the instrument panel dash lights goes on and off for no apparent reason.

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  F-Body convert - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By danno-SS - March 24 - 4:20 pm

  Traded in a 2002 A4 SS Camaro (SLP 335HP) for a 2005 M6 GTO, comparison follows: Engine: GTO. LS2 has noticeable better low-end torque than an LS1, . The LS2s electronic throttle body is responsive to even the slightest of inputs, ultra-smooth power delivery. Exhaust: GTO. True Duals give the GTO a deeper, more menacing tone than the optional SLP cat-back. Suspension: Tie. Much higher ride height and softer suspension in the GTO. The goat has great turn-in feel but not quite the same grip as the SS. The GTOs IRS does well in keeping the rear from skipping during maneuvers in broken pavement. Interior: GTO. No contest.

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  Sports car in disguise - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By ckone - March 23 - 9:20 am

  I have had my G5 preferred package in competition yellow for 4 months now and I love it. I like that there are not many on the road so people tend to do a double take when I drive by. Lots of people wanna race (maybe because its yellow) which I think is ridiculous with fuel prices being so high. I commute 74 miles one way to work on highways, freeways and city streets with lots of hills and I am averaging 29.5 mpg. Just as good as a scion tc but way cheaper.

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  A neat little car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rngoddess - March 23 - 3:40 am

  I bought my Vibe the first year they came out. I liked the look of it first of all, then driving it I LOVED it! The only reason I am trading it in is because I need a larger vehicle. This is a great car for a small family or a single person. Me and my 2 kids fit comfortably in it. When you want to go, you GO! This 4 Cylinder engine performs far above any other I have driven. I recommend it to anyone!

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  NO FRONT LEG ROOM - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By HOT ROD - March 22 - 10:00 am

  If you are taller than 59, god luck driving this vehicle. The shifter gets in your way and makes it uncomfortable to drive. Also, forget about seeing out the back of the car, there is a middle spoiler that is in your way!

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  Not bad - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By E - March 22 - 9:33 am

  Really good car! Bought at 112000 now has 185000. No problems whatsoever except for an O2 sensor. Still picks up and goes. 3.8l engines are bulletproof in my opinion.