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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  Bad ass 2000 WS6 - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By J Wier - December 12 - 2:00 am

  This car is pure excitement! It will get you as many or even more looks than a Corvette. It is as fast as a Corvette (excluding ZO6) for 2/3 the price. There isnt a better feeling in the automotive world than tearing down the open highway with the T-tops off and the sweet exhaust note of the WS6 Trans- Am!!!!

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  Looks can be deceiving! - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Not Impressed - December 12 - 2:00 am

  I love the looks of this car, However we have had to replace a lot of "things" on this car, no tire rods were on the car, rackingppion has had to be replaced 4 times, cadlic converter had to be replaced, several items, list to long to mention, in my opinion Pontiac should recall the models from the year 2000, to many "little" problems that have had to be replaced! Also the interior dash panel has had to be replaced because of peeling around the gear shift, radio, etc.

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  SOLSTICE - FUN, FUN, FUN!!! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By HSFX31A - December 11 - 2:50 am

  The only other sports car (if one can call it that) Ive had was a Lexus SC430. The Solstice is much more fun to drive, much better looking design and gives you the pleasure of driving a vehicle that is one with the road ... a GREAT feel!

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  Pontiac has Sold Me! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Iblyth - December 10 - 11:26 am

  Test drove one on the 24-hour test drive and ended up buying a black 2004 GTP COMP-G. I have owned other Pontiacs but I always wanted a Grand Prix and this car has not disappointed. Performance was unrivaled having tested other cars of similar size and price. Exhaust note and exterior looks make this more like a sports car than a four door sedan. If you load the car up with all the bells and whistles, you will find it to be one of the best deals around. Great job GM. As far as negatives go, this car has been spotless in the mechanical reliability department but I did have pin hole leak in the trunk and one interior rattle. Both issues were fixed without question by a great service departmen

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  Shop Around - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By marksviper - December 9 - 7:03 am

  I own a 350 z roadster and love it. But if you do the research most of the new so called hot rods only have a 4 cyclinders in them with only 5 gears no 6th gear. On the highway this is taxing on a engine. I, in a heartbeat, would have bought a Honda S2000 if it go to a 6c. Honda has won the last two indys!!! Drive them all before you buy. On the highway in last gear listen to that engine work Markviper

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  a fabulous ride - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By tech boy - December 7 - 12:13 pm

  I never expected so much performance from a vehicle in this price range. Especially not from a non import. It feels like an Acura or a BMW - at 1/2 the price. These cars are going to go up in price as this "secret" becomes common knowledge.

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  Retired Traveler - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Grahare - December 7 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Sunfire, the first was a 2.2 engine, while this is a 2.4. I have pinstriped it and added some enhancements to custonize the body. For an old retired guy, the kids give me lots of compliments and the car is great on trips. I am looking foward to the 190hp turbo in 04". West Marcus Montgomery, Al

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  4 months and 5000 miles & still in Love - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Rod - December 6 - 7:53 pm

  Has been just over 4 months since I bought my G8 GT. It has only gotten better with time. With gas prices down a little from when I bought it have switched to premium. The premium is not required but it do bring the G8 GT to life. Merging onto a freeway can be a little unnerving, if you step down on the throttle to aggressively, you go from 6th to 3rd gear and go from 45 to 70 in a heart beat. For a door factory (4 door car) the handling is awesome. This car does not fear windy roads. In manual mode in 3rd gear 20 mph corners become 50 mph corners. If you want to love a car like you did when the built muscle cars the G8 GT will fill the bill, and accommodate the family.

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  Why must Pontiac die? - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By PeaRat450 - December 4 - 11:26 pm

  I just purchased a 2009 Pontiac G8 with the 3.6L V-6 a couple of days ago, and Im saddened that GM is killing Pontiac. This car is absolutely the best car I have ever owned. I honestly feel that this is also the closest GM has ever come to the BMW 3 series. If Pontiac has to die, then why cant Chevrolet pick up the G8 as a Chevelle or something. At the price this car is an unbeatable bargain, and if I had the money I would by another one tomorrow (a GT). The only change I would like to see is for the 300hp direct injected V-6 to be installed. Then it would be absolutely perfect.

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  Love to drive, hate to fill-up - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Rob - December 4 - 9:46 pm

  Had it for three weeks. Still cant wait to get in and drive it. Extremely impressive performance, great stereo, slick looks, but unimpressive gas mileage - 17/24 mpg. Ad says "V6 Fuel Economy"...mis-leading to say the least. My daily driver is a 00 Bonneville that gets 25/32 with the 3.8 L V6. I bought it for the overall value and "driving excitement", not the mileage. Had a tough time deciding between G8 and Charger R/T. I think I made the right decision. Beware, gas cap door blew off in the automatic car wash! Dealer wants $80 to repaint it. I say it is a design flaw.