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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  98 GP GTP - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By lradue - December 17 - 2:00 am

  This car is fun to drive. It has lots of power, good handling, and very reliable. The gas mileage isnt the best, but you should expect that with a supercharged 3.8L engine. I would recommend this car to anyone and I plan to get another one after this one dies on me.

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  A Superior Choice - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By RayRod - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Previously, I had a 98 Grand Prix GTP. I loved the car and probably would have bought a new GTP if Pontiac hadnt revamped that style, in my opinion, for the worse--no more auto climate control, tighter interior space, etc. The Bonneville GXP is definitely an excellent upgrade--it has all the features I had come to love like the HUD, performance and style. The exterior styling is great, the V8 engine, 18-inch wheels and sporty suspension make this car fun and comfortable to drive. The best color scheme is the graystone metallic, since it really compliments the interior trim colors. The cockpit is great--day and night. Ive shopped around, and this car is best in its class and beyond.

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  Initial Impressions - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By S Keith - December 15 - 10:00 am

  Have owned this car 3 months. Very satisfied with quality and economy. Only real complaint is the driver position is just a bit different and it is difficult to get used to. Arm rest could be a bit forward, which would help. Havent recorded gas mileage less than 26.5 MPG, which for short trips and automatic is GREAT. The relatively small engine (1.8L) has adequate power.

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  Great Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Marc Schalk - December 15 - 10:00 am

  A very nice car. Fun to drive

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  Thoughts after a year of ownership - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Tim Dodge - December 15 - 6:50 am

  I admit I was a little uneasy at first downsizing from our large sedan to a compact auto but rising fuel costs and poor reliability of the sedan forced our hand. Well any misgivings have vanished. WE LOVE THIS MACHINE! Great handling (love the AWD in our snowy NY winters), good gas mileage for a AWD (average of 31 with the top mileage @ 36 on the open road, around 26-28 intown) and most of all flawless reliability of this sistership to the Toyota Matrix. Although the ride is a little bumpy compared to the pillowy ride of our sedan it is amazing how we can drive this car 14 hours to the Myrtle beach without tiring. The car is sufficiently peppy in power although dont challenge any Hemis!

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  Best car Ive ever owed! - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By holly4troy - December 15 - 3:03 am

  I am in search of another car due to a collision with a deer and am so disappointed because I loved both my Sunfires I have owed. My first was a 2004 yellow Sunfire and most recently at 2005 orange Sunfire. They both were always reliable, never had any problems with either one except for the CD player in my most recent. Never could get it to work properly without it wanted to eat a CD. Other than that, I LOVED both cars and wish I could find another! ** I had to select a model but both were automatic and not 5 speed but automatic was not an option to choose.

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  Refined Muscle Car w Subtance over Style - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By StealthLS2 - December 14 - 8:53 pm

  Re-introduced in 2004, the GTO early press reviews raved about the driving experience, interior and build quality, but the exterior styling left everyone underwhelmed. Many of us who fondly recalled the GTO’s of the muscle car era felt the new version didn’t live up to the memory, and sales didn’t meet GM’s expectations. Oh so many missed a great car. Open the hood and you will find one of the best motors on the planet, the General Motors LS2, a 400 horsepower V8 that can motivate you to 60 in under 5 seconds. Stealth looks combined with the LS2 power plant make for a modern muscle car with capabilities that require you take a deeper look to fully appreciate.

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  Love it! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jlripl - December 14 - 8:03 pm

  In 2003, I found a car I loved. A sporty red 4 door 2000 Grand Am GT. Test drove it and took it home, no problem. Three months later, it was totaled. Head on crash with an extended bed, extended cab half ton pick up truck. I refused to drive for the next three months until my dealer found me a 2001 Grand Am GT, just like my old one. I have absolutely adored this car. I wouldnt trade it for the world. I think I put so much faith in it because the older version got me through a horrible accident with only a broken arm. I have had very few problems, and would recommend it. Ive had it for four years, bought it with 47,000 and it now has 127,000. Runs great. Had one issue with the key.

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  2009 Pontiac G8 - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By sexxy86 - December 14 - 3:48 am

  Love my G8 when I first saw one I was like I have to get that car it looked good, I did just that own mine for 4years now. Did have problems when I first got where the engine kept coming on it was do to the gas cap it had to be replace which it was happening to a lot of the G8s. The other thing I have had problems with is the sit on the driver side the shift had come a loose had to have it fix 3 times in 4 years, other than that its a excellent car it keeps the heads turning all the time.

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  Commuter car only! - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Andddy P - December 13 - 8:00 pm

  I am very unpleased with my purchase of this car it does not get the gas mileage it is supposed to i will be lucky to get 20 miles to the gallon. The interior looks like something you would see at a dentists office, and the exterior design makes it seem as if it would have a nice amount of hp but instead this sunflower is equipped with 115 hp. I bought this car 08/07 and it had 9,000 miles on it but i should have looked at more reviews before making my purchase