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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  4 months and lovin it!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Pike Papa - November 23 - 2:26 pm

  4 months, 6500 miles and loving it all the more. I purchased and Electric Blue GT coupe loaded except for Onstar, replacing a 2001 PT crusier. Guess I go for the "different" look in my cars. Love it love it love it! Fun to drive, hence the high milage. I am averaging 28.9 combo driving with the auto. Very impressed with that. The most out of my PT Cruiser was 23.5 for an auto. Many comments about the remote start for the winter which will come in handy here in Massachuetts as well, but works just as well in the heat of the summer. I leave the AC on when shutting down the car and remote start to cool as well.! First oil change at 6388 at 10% oil life left.

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  1999 Pontiac Grand Prix GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ferd0626 - November 23 - 10:00 am

  I got this car with 62,000 miles on it. Said goodbye when it reached 105 K. The car had good performance by late 90s standards, best 0-60 I did was 8.2 seconds. Steering was decent, but pedal feel was mushy and the headlights were very poor. Fuel economy was mediocre, about 24-26 hwy. Ride quality was average. Liked the exterior styling, especially the tail lights. Interior was not very good, the door and dashboard panels were cheap. Poor assembly, each power window went out at least once, and flimsy cup holders. Besides the windows, other issues included an intake manifold problem, loss of ABS and traction control after a couple of years, and the stereo went out.

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  GM Doesnt Stand By Their Products - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Kris - November 23 - 10:00 am

  With 20,000, our Montana failed inspection and needed all new tires, a new sway bar and new shock absorbers. GM is not standing by their product and refusing to reimburse us for the cost of repairs. I see this as a sign of things to come, so, were dumping this car as soon as we can and buying HONDA. The Montana is my fourth GM car, I would have been a loyal GM customer forever, but not after whats happened.

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  Great car for price - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By John Swanson - November 23 - 9:16 am

  I could not be more pleased with my Solstice. Now, I am not a car nut, knowing all the tech jargon, but I can tell you this is a fun car to drive, and the style, design and grace are over the top. I have people straining their necks to see what I am driving. I have perfect strangers stop me and ask about the car. I parked next to a Boxster, and someone came up to me and said he would take the solstice over the Box any day. The handling is great, you are the road. OK, It doesnt have the zip of those costing $15,000- $20,000 more, and the cup holders set behind you are stupid. But the non auto top is easy to put down and back up. Best car for the money I have ever bought.

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  I will never buy a GM again - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By eebrando - November 22 - 8:33 pm

  Well, I thought I had made a pretty good deal at the time of purchase but when you add up all I have spent in repairs (transmission, a/c (had only 48k miles at the time), traction system) I am driving a $30k PONTIAC. I hate cars.

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  Sweet! - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Pontiac RULZ - November 22 - 6:16 pm

  This car is the car of my dreams! It rides smoothly which makes me feel like Im floating. I love the space and all the things that come along with it!!!

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  Its A great Van! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Gandolf - November 21 - 1:56 pm

  I shopped around for a few months looking for a van and this was the best layout and design for our family that i found. The options were exactly what we needed and the fit and finish were excellent. The van is quiet and a lot of fun to drive. The braking is noticably better than other vans.

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  Legit - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By Collin - November 21 - 1:03 am

  I recently bought the GXP and I love it. If you include all the things you want it is a fun a great car to drive. I love the engine and I would recommend to anyone.

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  Pontiac Vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By CPS - November 20 - 10:53 am

  This car has a very smooth ride, I feel secure in the way it handles. It looks good on outside and inside. The stereo is excellent. Im very happy with it.

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  Lucky number 3 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Dora Mae - November 20 - 9:16 am

  This is my 3rd grand prix I had a 95 which I was not impressed with but decided to give it another shot with an 03 which I loved and then decided to trade in on an 04 for the more adult design. I would recommend this car to anyone. I have taken it in many road trips I bought it at 74k miles and it now has 107k less than 2 years later. No problems! My friends love it, my parents love it, and I still look forward to driving it everyday. My favorite car that I have owned.