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:

• 

  AZTEK IS AOK - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By alan & connie - March 18 - 10:00 am

  The Aztek is a great vehicle. Comfort is the best and gas mileage is 23-29. Everyone who rides in mine says the ride is terrific. I tell everyone to just get in it and drive one and they will be sold. No problems on my 2003 yet, 10,000 miles and only slight a/c problems on my 2001 that were fixed under warranty.

• 

  Judging Books by Their Cover - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Willinois - March 18 - 10:00 am

  It handles just like a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP, which is very good. The interior has many conveniences the others dont. The Aztek is a car you have to drive prior to making a judgement upon it. AWD is great for those of us in Northern cities.

• 

  Love it!! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By moneypenny - March 15 - 6:20 pm

  I love this car. It was love at first sight. I did not even drive it before I signed the papers. I drove a plain silver one but had to have the orange one.

• 

  10 years of foreign, now GXP - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Chak - March 15 - 1:56 am

  Both wife and I saw eye-to-eye after test drive of GXP, buy it. Very quick to highway speed - sport suspension, braking all excellent. At 62, pushing the envelope on room, bit more than OK. Cockpit dashboard @ night is awesome. Live in town with many Lexus, BMW, Audi, etc and this styling stands up to all of them, performance does too. This is great choice and too bad they are discontinuing them.

• 

  2001 Firebird, V6 3.8L, 2DR Hatch w/TTop - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By My Baby - March 14 - 1:16 pm

  My first car was a 73 Firebird 2DR Coupe, V-8 350 and I loved her. My latest is this 2001 and I love her even more. I cannot imagine owning something else in place of her. She has plenty of power even with the V6 and she is a joy to drive.

• 

  On/Off Public Roads - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Sandra Dicks - March 12 - 5:33 pm

  Vehicle purchased for AWD capability. We live in cottage country on 2 mile privately maintained gravel road in a snowbelt area. Have put 6000 miles on vehicle since mid August 2006, including a round trip to Florida of about 3000 miles. The Torrent has been a delight to drive and handles well in all weather conditions including snow, slush and ice covered roads through through the mountains. Although not quite as roomy as our previous 2003 Pontiac Montana it comfortably holds all our luggage, golf clubs/pull carts and two Bikes (hitch mounted). Our trim level includes leather, 17 inch wheels and premier Pioneer audio system. Acceleration and handling is good, except for turning radius.

• 

  My AZTEK2001 - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By BUDD - March 12 - 2:00 am

  This is one of the better and safest ride on the road today and mine is front wheel drive only and it is one of the better suv in all of the other one and yes I would buy another one if and when I wear this one out or trade it in on a new one which I hope will not be any time soon.PS this is one hell of a SUV.

• 

  THE BEST ONLY GETS BETTER (GTO) - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mike D - March 12 - 2:00 am

  I was the previous owner of a 1967 Pont.GTO and I loved the car. This car I hope will only inhance the immage of the name Pont. GTO. I just hope its as reliable as it looks. The front looks a little like the Pont. Grand Prix. I presently own one, and its a Great Car and fun to drive.

• 

  Great Car! I love my Bonneville - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By 1998bonnie - March 11 - 1:59 am

  I purchased my 1998 Bonneville SE in 2004 with 76,000 on it, now it has over 143,000. Being that it was sitting on a Chicago used car lot for I dont know how long, I didnt know if it was a good deal or not buying through Ebay. After I got it, I have several things done to it. Its still a good over all great car. In 2011 I had the anti-freeze problem fix with gaskets replaced, upper plenum (Upper air intake) replaced, water pump, radiator, spark plugs, wires, all hoses, all sensors, and starter replaced. Even though nothing was wrong, I still wanted to be safe than sorry. The new radiator sprung a leak and I fixed that with Bars Leak. I also replaced the stock muffler with a Flowmaster.

• 

  Absolute Beauty - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By L C - March 9 - 12:00 pm

  This car thrives on the lead foot driver that can resist temptation. This car can also double as a contemporary family sedan.