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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  Performance, Utility, Economy and Cool! - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Scott - March 2 - 3:40 am

  Traded in my SUV for the more efficient Vibe (sounds like a trend, doesnt it? Luckily, I only ended upside down by about $900 on the deal). I was never a big fan of the older vibe. It just looked like a grocery getter, bland, wagon-like and just something moms and old ladies would drive. But the 2009 Vibe caught my eye, particularly the GT trim. Its sleek, sexy and with the economical yet punchy 2.4 L option, I was sold. This is the 5 speed automatic version (theres no option for this, hello Edmunds!). Small but roomy, powerful but economic (29 MPG on average!), great interior (the seats are SO comfortable), and this car is hot! Getting a lot of stares! I would recommend this car!

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  A lot of Car for the Money - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Mimi - February 28 - 11:36 am

  I traded in my Gran Prix GTP coupe for this car because the GTP was out of warranty and it used pricey premium gas. I have been pleasantly surprised by the cars handling and preformance. It drives like a Pontiac!

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  Great car! - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By crames33 - February 27 - 12:10 pm

  I bought a 2003 bonneville when it was 8 years old with 86,000 miles and it was in perfect condition! Besides routine things, I never had work done on it. It got great gas mileage on the highway and was a smooth comfortable ride. I recently totaled it when we got a snow storm but I walked away completely fine! It still drove and the engine sounded fine but a lot of body damage was done. Im looking into getting another bonnelville. Great cars! Very roomy (especially the trunk) and looks sharp too. I would definitely recommend this car for anyone especially for a family car.

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  175K Sold At auction for $3900 - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By KennyG - February 27 - 9:23 am

  Repo man took it at 175K. Miss my Vibe. Drove like a tank. Changed the oil religiously, didnt burn a drop. Can you imagine it sold at auction for $3900 with that kind of mileage?

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  My Bonny - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Cadzilla_53 - February 27 - 1:10 am

  I bought this car with 42,000 miles on it. It now has 120,000 miles on it. It has been a great performer, gets great gas mileage (30 mpg highway) and is still very solid and rattle free. The stereo has killer sound. Everything works on it like it was designed to do. Am thinking of buying another one, but this time the GXP.

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  Bought Ours New in 2000 - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By Airhippo - February 26 - 8:40 pm

  We purchased this van new in November 2000 right before the 2001 hit the market. This Van has been an awesome mode of transportation. We still have it and our Teenage Daughter loves driving it to hall her friends. We had some minor AC issues at 75,00 K and had to have the head gaskets and heads redone at 120,00 Wife drove it and it got hot. That cost around 2,000. But other than that this has been a vehicle well worth the drive. We still have it so that says all. around in.

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  Good ole American car - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By middleage - February 25 - 9:23 am

  I originally bought a 99 gtp that went 154000 miles before a deer got it. Couldnt bare to pay close to 20k for an new econobox, so bought the last of this generation in 2007 for half that. It is a comfortable muscle car. Acceleration and long distance cruising are its forte. Handling is okay but sloppy when really pushed. The transmission does this clunk at times when starting from a stop?? The "leather" is more like vinyl and the rear seats are not adult comfortable over the long haul. The hvac setting doesnt work in the first 2 positions. The brakes fade under repeated hard use. A 5 speed [m]transmission would have made this car much quicker. 15 mpg city 26 mpg hwy. Feels solid but fat.

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  Great little car! - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Kris592 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  I tell ya I was a little sceptical of buying another american car but I figured since its basically a Toyota we couldnt go wrong. Ive really come to enjoy all of the great features of the car. 15000 mls later and absolutely no problems!

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  Having doubts - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By SueSue - February 24 - 10:00 am

  very good looking car. milage, excellent. price, a bit high for the quality of workmanship. Too much plastic. Metal very light and flimbsy...feel like tin. I do not expect to be able to keep this car for more than 3 years, unlike other cars that Ive own for over 15 years, I own a 92 Grand Prix SEL...excellent car! I also own a Volkwagon Vanagon 86, still running like sa clock. And like that you may see, I take care of my cars and if they are made to last...they will last with me. I do not feel this will be the case with the Sunfire. Having my doubts, hoping I am wrong. Thank you, Sue

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  awesome - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By coolkitty1971 - February 24 - 10:00 am

  Great car with lots of style and reliability