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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  Vibe Baby Vibe! - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Nate - September 24 - 12:00 pm

  This car has mojo It has both fit and function. Best of all, Im getting no less than 29 mpg highway with a full load and AC running out of a 2.4 L 5 speed automatic. I give it a 10 for the price.

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  A winner - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Bill - September 23 - 2:20 pm

  We purchased the Vibe after much research, to replace our 2000 Impala. The Vibe has great interior room. Functional and fun to drive. The 2.4 motor has enough pickup when merging into traffic. It looks good too!

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  Great gas mileage! - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By mbc - September 21 - 6:36 am

  The Vibe provides a great ride and gets super gas mileage. Yeah, the road noise on rough surface roads is a little noisy, so turn up the radio a little, get over it. Enjoy all the other positves about the Vibe. Cruise, great radio sounds, daytime running lights, fog lights, rear opening glass, plastic on the back of the back of the back seats when the seats are folder down for hauling. Storage pockets everywhere, in the doors, center console, left side of dash, glove box, and another storage box under the gear selector. Give it a look, you wont be disappointed.

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  Best SUV on the road - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Ralph Isenberg - September 19 - 7:50 am

  Wife bought a 2001 AWD GT and loves it. Leather seats, ice cold AC, towing package which we have used a couple times to tow a car from out of state. Drives and rides extremely comfortable, the 3.4 engine has plenty of pickup and pep.

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  Montana Taxi - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By lg3fan - September 18 - 3:33 pm

  I bought the Pontiac Montana Ext. AWD used back in Feb of 07 with 52,345 mi and using it as a taxi. Ive had great luck with the Montana and never had any major problems with it except normal ware and tear. It runs constantly for 24 hous a day. It now has 159,789 mi on it and runs like brand new. It has plenty of room and is very very comfortable for seating of 6. The AWD system is exceptional.It goes through anything. If anyone needs to by a mini van, this is the one to buy! I would buy another one in a heartbeat with no question.

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  good - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By roggatz - September 17 - 10:33 am

  wife loves it. easy to drive, could use a little more room in the rear cargo area

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  Best Rig Ever - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By 2bizzy - September 17 - 10:00 am

  AWD 1sb+ w/tow:Drove it around the block and bought it. Had to pinch myself to remind myself that I was "driving". Great ride, mpg, visibility, drivetrain, sound sys; Smooth 4-wheel disc brakes;Roomy, surefooted AWD, safe side airbags, lotsa nifty features for the money; reconfig/removeable back seats, console cooler and built in air compressor for tires, mattress,kayack & stabilizers for loads. Just love this rig!

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  04 GTP Comp G Outstanding - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Milfordman - September 17 - 10:00 am

  Picked up 04 GTP this week. This car is awesome. This is my third Grand Prix and this is certainly the best. Great acceleration and handling. XM radio is worth every penny..go out and get one.

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  Great little Pontiac - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By brent - September 17 - 5:40 am

  This is a true Pontiac with its style and features and far less price then many in its class. I live in Montana and have never had a problem with snow in the back country or just going on a sunday drive ( I have the AWD ) Just a fun little SUV to drive.

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  Red Solstice - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Jim - September 15 - 3:53 pm

  Great Car and super service and support from the Dealer. The car is a great fun car and priced right.