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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  GXP - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By commander - October 5 - 4:33 am

  I hav owned this car almost a year and have loved it since day one. This is not one of those cars that you will regret owning several months later.

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  All in all, pretty content - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By amanda - October 1 - 12:23 pm

  Bought this vehicle wrecked and replaced front end. Four months later the brakes locked up and I wrecked, having to replace the front end again. If you keep it out of sticky situations, its a good car. Intake is really low on it as well, so its best to not take it through a deep puddle. Wheel bearings are out at 70,000 miles too. I like the vehicle and reliability, but its best to invest some money in new brakes and such when you buy one. All wrecked G6s are wrecked in the front, making me think other people have had the same problems with their brakes. But, I think any vehicle is going to give you some problems.

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  I like mine black, please. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Antonio de Armas - October 1 - 10:00 am

  Sunday morning coming home from Toys RUs drove past the Pontiac dealership and stopped just to look around. Never saw or heard of this car before. What is it? Had to bend down to see the side plate, GTO 5.7 L. What? Got behind the wheel, nice! Salesman comes out of nowhere and sits on the passenger side. Want o test drive it? Gave me the key and I started the dammed thing. Rooom! I could feel the power in my hands as the seat vibrated, room, roooom. Shifted to drive and the whole car tilted backwards. Stepped on the accelerator and I felt the G force as I was pushed against the seat. Awsome machine!!!! Bought it. Expensive and a thrill to drive.

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  05 gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By david baum - September 30 - 7:46 am

  car is way fast and handles like no othe pony car ever. right out of the box just all the car . big bang for the buck too.

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  Love this Car !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By admac - September 29 - 5:43 pm

  I ordered this car in June, and still have no firm date as to when it will arrive. So being the impatient kind, I started looking for one on E-Bay. I got a great deal on one of the first 1000. This car is all and more than what I expected. Everywhere I go people ask what it is and where they can get one! I bought this as a fun, cruise around every now and then car, but I just cant stand to park it!!! If you are looking for a great looking small car, but dont need much storage space, this car is for you.

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  GXP Black - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By tonyGXP - September 29 - 4:20 pm

  My gxp is loaded without navi, what can i say?? Go and drive one!!! Its nicer than anything in its class, foreign & domestic. Fast, handles like its on rails, stops better than any car ive ever driven, i get compliments on this car without people even looking on the inside ( exhaust especially)how & why would you buy an accord or camry or an impala ss (even with a v8) i paid 27k for mine sticker was $33,396, beat it, you wont be able to.

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  Hot ride - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By J. Holliday - September 27 - 3:03 am

  IÂ’m the original owner and I now have 7 years and 95k on my GP. I disagree with othersÂ’ statements that this car has a poor build quality. My problems have been few and far between: all electronics are fully functional, havenÂ’t had to replace window motors, no problems with AC, leather seats in great condition, transmission shifts seamlessly, no squeaks or squeals or other undesirable noises, no badges or moldings have ever fallen off, 54k out of first set of tires, still have original brakes (unbelievable), no engine troubles or bad oxygen sensors, sound system better than the premium system in my DadÂ’s Lexus, my brotherÂ’s 2000 Accord has had far more problems. Acceleration as good as new

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  BULLET PROOF - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By THE FURY - September 26 - 7:06 am

  YOU KNOW,I HAVE TO SIDE WITH THE OTHER FORTUNATE OWNERS OF THE UNTOUCHABLE WS6. WHEN COMES TO THE REMARKS THAT YOU EDITOR PEOPLE ARE MAKING ABOUT CHEAP THIS AND POOR THAT, IT MAKES ME WONDER AS WELL ARE YOU SURE YOU WERE TESTING A TRANS AM OR WAS IT A 1980S TURBO SUNBIRD. THE ENGINE IS IN A CLASS BY ITSELF, AND THE BRAKES.....LETS JUST SAY I WASNT THE ONE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSECTION STOPPING FROM 90MPH AGAINST THE SO CALLED "ULTIMATE DRIVING MACHINE" (540i) TO BE EXACT!!!!

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  what I think of my Pontiac Montana - 1999 Pontiac Montana
  By Harold Bryant - September 25 - 7:46 pm

  I bought the vehicle new. It has 51000 miles on it. Tires are about a year old. Im 76 years old and am wanting a new one like it. It has an extended warranty good until august of this year.

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  Fun & economy! - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By happytoes - September 25 - 1:50 pm

  I am loving my 2008 Pontiac G6 convertible with greater mileage than I expected (32 MPG hwy/22 city). Just so fun to drive, & observe the admiring glances at the car. The acceleration, relative quiet of ride, on-command manual transmission, sound system, fit & finish are up to the most finicky standards, for the price range. Such a great value..I am very happy with this car (former Buick LaCrosse CXL owner)