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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  lic plate..Bcnyea - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By b_cnyea - February 18 - 9:53 am

  06 GTO A4 Cyclone Gray 6.0. When i was younger i helped restore my dads 67 rag top black on black..them wore the days! He let me take it to prom and every other Friday i got to drive it to school!! took the long road back home after school :) and now i got one of my own,hope fully i can keep it for many years and my son and i can restore it when its time.But for now its the best thing i have ever owned i have many stories to tell my son some day like my dad did with me his back seat has more room lol and when your 61 their is not much room in mine haha! its a fun car to drive and own and drive..keep it between the white lines!!

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  Wonderful to Drive - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By L.Long - February 18 - 6:53 am

  I looked at many new cars and went to the Auto Show and this car was the one that caught my eye. I was looking for backseat comfort(for other adults, large trunk and a sporty look and this car had it all. It drives wonderful and is very comfortable on distant driving.

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  What a mistake - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By fsjd - February 18 - 2:00 am

  Within the first month the trim fell off the car doors, the sun visor will constantly change location without manual malipulation, there is rattling noise from within the a/c vents; the air conditioning is insufficient, never reaches the back of the car. A big mistake and wish I had never bought this car. If I could sell it today and my money I would !!!

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  My BONNEVILLE - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Chuck Finch - February 18 - 2:00 am

  This is a very exciting and responsive automobile to drive and own, not only is it fun to drive it has class. You folks do not rate it high enough on your car ratings. This car is as good or better than the forign imports and you can take that to the bank. I will put my Bonneville against any of them. The Mercedes and Lexuss dont have anything over this car. This car will eat them up for breakfast. I know I have done it. I work for Daimeler Chrystler and they dont make a ride this good.

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  Excellent Choice - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By mover24 - February 18 - 2:00 am

  I purchased my Vibe new and it has been a great car. No problems and ver fun to drive

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  GREAT CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By pontiac G6 - February 17 - 8:53 pm

  I have no idea why people right bad reviews on this car. I get 30mpg+ on the highway. I just change oil as required,did front brakes once and thats it, 74,000 miles The car was cheap and owes me nothing. This is far superior to a civic or corolla,in comfort,style and economy.

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  My new Torrent! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Jim Knox - February 17 - 2:33 pm

  After a great ownership experience with a Saturn Vue (which my son now has), the torrent has much more torque, great five speed tranny, leather, luxury features like heated seats, XM radio, six disc cd, and its bigger for more cargo too. The ride is more controlled, quieter and less stressful on the highway - well worth the extra cost. The fit and finish are exemplary, just cant imagine what the buyers of German and Japanese fail too see in this fine GM product (Im a former foreign car only owner). GMs got it now, just hope its not too late for the General.

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  Rides like a SUV - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Ed Derendinger - February 17 - 10:06 am

  I had my Torrent for 3 months and enjoy the room, but for people looking for a SUV/car I dont recommend. Looks and drives like a SUV.

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  Little Issues but still runs..... - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Robert - February 16 - 10:03 pm

  I got this car from my uncle that originally got it from my grandma. I dont know what he did to it but he got tired of tryin to fix the car so he gave it to me. All it needed was a new waterpump. I also put in a new thermostast and got the radiator flushed with it. All i really need to do is get my two front door motors and regulaters replaced and my a/c, but this car drove tho, Spite its little flaws it still drove, and cranked. Now at 104,998 it runs great just got to put in the windows and a/c, and i may need to change the radiator soon too. Cuz it does get a little hot in the summer, but then again i had to change the temperature senor cuz it wasnt reading right so i may not.

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  Last of the Grand Prixs - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By peter christoff - February 16 - 8:16 am

  I think it was a big mistake for GM to do away with the Grand Prix. I love mine. I test drove a new G8, and was not impressed at all. The 2008 Grand Prix got a bad rap when they underrated it as just another carry over car that was ready to be put out to pasture,so to speak. I will drive this one with pride, and hope GM brings it back in a few years like the Camaro.