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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  Miles Per Tank - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By David - March 21 - 4:33 pm

  The Miles per tank on our 2006 torrent are not good. With only a 16.6 gallon tank at 19 mpg we are only getting about 300 miles per tank. The needle drops fast and before we know it another stop for fuel. The 2007 has a 20 gallon tank!

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  Perfect Size SUV - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By ronvrll - March 21 - 12:10 pm

  Traded in my GMC Yukon for this Pontiac because of high gas prices. Though I would have to settle for less of a vehicle to save gas but I was wrong. Torrent is solid and is fun to drive. Tows my camper with no problem.

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  Fantastic Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Wonder - March 21 - 7:46 am

  I just purchased the 2006 GTP. What a ride. Beautiful lines and feel on the road. The interior retro, clean and comfortable. Great car for the price. I love it.

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  Great when it wants to work - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By keet - March 21 - 4:23 am

  The pontiac sunfire feels like a sporty little car for a four cylinder economy class vehicle. The acceleration is so-so and the car shakes at high speeds, but this is to be expected. What is completely inexcusable is how frequently everything breaks down and how unreliable the whole thing is. This car was used as a daily driver when it was only a few years old, yet within the first year the AC compressor blew out - twice. I paid for the full repairs. It blew out again within a years time. The shop told me that the compressors were garbage out the factory. The water pump broke twice in 4 years of light driver. I went through 3 batteries. This is all from light commuting! Garbage!

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  Beautys Only Skin Deep - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By Krazy Kat - March 20 - 10:00 am

  Dont judge a book by its cover. I thought it was one of the ugliest vehicle Id ever seen, when I first saw it, but now more than 2 years later I bought one. I took a look at the sticker, and on a dare, I test drove the Aztek. I loved the way it drove, and all the features it included. I couldnt pass up one of the best bargains on the market. Im still not crazy about the style, (everyone else in my family loves it), but it is growing on me, and I really like the way it handles/drives. One problem --- everyone in my family wants to borrow it.

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  Best SUV - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By St - March 20 - 10:00 am

  I checked this SUV out on Edmonds for about three months and comparison with all differant SUVs like Explorer, Envoy, Santa Fe, Escape, Xterra,etc. Incomparison with my 97 Explorer. It has a better ride, better gas milage, just as much room with the rear seats in and more room than the Explore with the rear seats out. And the price with the same options was thousands cheaper.

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  Pontiac Montana - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By timswearingen - March 20 - 10:00 am

  It has been a great vehicle

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  Great Value-Better Car than Cadillac - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By T-Fish - March 20 - 10:00 am

  After driving Sevilles for the last decade, we decided to try the Bonneville SSEi which is on the same platform as the Seville and $20,000 less. This is a better driving and riding car than its higher priced sister. It does lack a few options, V- 8, rear heated seats, wood trim, and the Cadillac mystic, but the super- charged engine is a great performer and lets face it, the Cadillac mystic is not worth $20,000. See what the Cadillac name means when the warranty runs out and you need any type of repair, $$$$$.

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  Lovin It!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RdRydnHd - March 20 - 10:00 am

  The 1999 Grand Am was the first car I ever owned...went with the intention of buying the Grand Prix and am so happy I went back and did it!! The cars performance is great, no problems, no issues. As a female above average height, 510 Im thrilled with the leg room. Every other car I test drove included some SUVs, my knee hit the steering wheel each time I went for the brake. Its roomy and I find it extremely comfortable yet its still fun to take out for a ride on the highway!

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  Maximum Bang for the Buck - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By gmgold - March 20 - 12:46 am

  This car is one of the very best cars I have ever owned. Especially considering the price. Even my wife who was very skeptical initially now agrees that it is quite a car. I have had no problems. Fuel mileage is much better than I would have thought. It is just a great car.