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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  solstice fever - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By lester - July 24 - 5:16 am

  This car is absolutely incredible. i traded in my bmw z4 for this and i couldnt be happier with the decision. when the turbo kicks in, hold on to your shorts.

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  Love to drive it - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By New Pontiac Lover - July 24 - 2:00 am

  I have always been a Honda lover, then I drove the Vibe! My husband convinced me to try and I was sold! Great gas mileage and good looks have peoples heads turning, Neptune Blue is a great color you dont see often. Moons and tunes pkg. ..GREAT.

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  It was perfect - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Dave Peterson - July 24 - 2:00 am

  The riding was flauless. Ive always grown up in a AMerican made family and the Pontiac GTO has had nothing but improvements from its older models. It can still live up to its standards.

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  Cyn Duh Rella Goes Topless - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By Cyn Duh Rella - July 23 - 7:00 am

  Car is my first American Convertible (I know shame, shame on me). Other than getting used to larger gas consumption.. She purrs deeply as she approaches........Lots of Fun!

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  Great Car - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jeff - July 22 - 9:26 pm

  I have used this car primarily for work and put between 30,000 to 40,000 miles per year. My 2001 Bonneville currently has 157,000 and still drives like it is new.

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  So much fun to drive! - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Tracey - July 22 - 1:56 pm

  This is my first Pontiac and I absolutely love it! I love the looks of this car, the handling and the price. I have a beautiful, bright white exterior with a two-tone black and tan interior and I couldnt have picked a better looking combination. I have never had a 4cyl engine before and it has plenty of pickup and power. The only thing I have noticed is a slight driver side window whistle on the highway. Other than that, this car is prefect. The 4- and 5- star crash ratings make this a great buy!

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  Trans Am Forever - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Trans Am Man - July 22 - 2:00 am

  Awsome looking, sleek, powerful, awsome stereo, comfertable, 30mpg highway, reliable, what more do i need to say?

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  Great Value - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By M Stiles - July 21 - 11:16 am

  This vehicle attained excellent gas mileage - consistently 30 mpg, not in the low 20s as I was led to believe, and it gave me great satisfaction during the months of $4 per gallon fuel prices. Comfy seats, nice large trunk space and flip-down seats, good control and easy to drive. No major repairs were needed. The negatives: shortage of cupholders, some road noise, red dashboard lighting. Overall, an excellent vehicle for the average driver.

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  My frist new car - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By dynapackardcomcast.n - July 21 - 4:33 am

  I love my grand am I bought it new and drove it for eleven years never had any thing go wrong with it . great gas mileage, I gave it to my daughter this year and bought a new one. I changed the oil as to the manufacture and had all the maintenance done that is suggested. I replaced the tires at 75,000 miles. This car was made to last. It has good get up and go for a four banger.

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  My 3rd 3800 series engine - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carl - July 18 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned an 86 Park Ave and a 92 Olds 88 prior to buying this car--both with 3800 engines. The 3800 is solid. My car has 31,000 mi. I look forward to keeping this car for the next 15 years. I bought the car used a year ago and have put 6,000 mi. on it. Theres only 2 problems: the keyless remote needs new batteries and the rear seats could use a little more leg room. However, on the pro side, the car handles great in the city and on the highway. Plenty of power in any situation. Im 6 ft. tall and feel fine in the drivers seat. Some folks grip about the interior finish--I think its fine. Overall, I still love the car after a year and would recommend it.