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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  Love my Lupe! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By jax - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I tell everyone I know they should buy an Aztek! It is one of the best vehicles on the road, regardless of what people say about its looks! Personally, I bought it for its looks...I did not want something that everyone else had....I have never been that type of person. The bottom line is that it takes a certain person to look past the exterior of a person or a thing. The Aztek offers much more than I could ever hope for in a vehicle...it is comfortable, extremely fuel efficient and has a smooth ride. I averaged 40+ miles per gallon while driving around the U.P. of Michigan...what does that tell ya? My Lupe is dependable & reliable!

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  What a great big little car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By sdr728 - January 12 - 10:00 am

  With my moving and all the little things involved with a new house, this car has bee great! On at least three different occasions I have had the seats down and the car loaded to the roof with stuff. Yet in my daily commute I get high thirties and even a 40MPG on occassion! This car is exactly what I was looking for!

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  What a Value! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By JGG - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I just love my Pontiac Vibe it is fun to drive, safe and versatile. The appearance is clean and the interior standard features allow the driver and passengers to travel in comfort. The fuel economy is great I am experiencing on average 30 plus miles per gallon combined city/highway and it improves when the ambient temperatures moderate. I live in Central Texas were the temperatures approach and exceed 100 degrees frequently. Great Car! I plan on buying one for my daughter when she begins to drive!

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  05 vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Steve s - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I love this car it has great styling and drives like an expensive european auto. I traded a Acura for my vibe and the features you get vs. price cant be beat

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  Grand Prix GTP, Pontiac Excitement!!!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Grand man - January 12 - 10:00 am

  I traded in my 96 Grand AM for the Grand Prix GTP. Should have done it earlier because of the awesome power and comfort of the GTP. I test drove other cars but none were as fun to drive or had the power of the GTP. Ive only had it a month but could not wait to share my awesome experience with this great car. I drove it on a 350 mile trip and was so comfortable that I am anxious to take it on longer ones. The GTP is a head turner and others are constantly starring at it.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By solitaryberry - January 11 - 3:53 pm

  I love my Grand Am. I am a young mom of two so I didnt really want to be relegated to driving a minivan. This is a great alternative for me. I get great gas mileage, which is important these days. I only spend about $40 a month in gas. Its a really comfortable car to drive and has quite a bit of get up and go. The only problem I have found is that it bottoms out fairly easily if I am not careful.

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  Amaing first car - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By TJ - January 11 - 12:36 pm

  When i first got this car it had some small fixs that were all not hard to fix. the Body was in perfect shape. it runs great and i have had no problems with it. the only think that mite bug some is the suspention kinda gets rough.

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  Awesome Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Sullivan - January 11 - 8:46 am

  The G6 is amazing. I have had my for a little over a month and I love everything about it. The V6 engine has nice pick-up. The 6 disc stereo and sound system is great. The seats are comfortable, the back seat is really roomy. It is just a really fun car to drive. I have the regular sunroof (not the panoramic) and I love it, it has a net in the front of it as a sound buffer to keep a lot of sound out and its just wonderful! If you do not have a G6 you are missing out!!! Very Satisfied Customer!!!!

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  Back To America - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By DrScuba - January 10 - 10:06 pm

  This is my first American car since 1983. Didnt think the styling and quality of American cars was as good as the foreign cars. Times are changing. This convertible is a blast to drive. It is one of the best looking convertibles out there. I get so many looks driving down the road. And when I stop to raise/lower the hardtop people just stop and stare. It is a very comfortable car to drive. Roomy, good seats, very good instrumentation, very smooth and quiet ride for a car this small. The fit and finish of this car is first rate. I got mine with the premium and sport package and it is a very solid buy.

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  Love it so far - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By jesangt - January 10 - 6:03 pm

  My G6 is less than a month old with only 500 miles, but I love it so far. Its truly a great value. I think it looks and drives great. Im impressed with the driver information center. Im a little disappointed in the center console. Its roomy, but doesnt have a compartment for coins (minor flaw). Also, I was surprised that the car does not have ABS brakes, although it does have 4 wheel disc brakes. I also assumed that the radio would have the song information (I forget what its called but our 2001 Sunfire radio has it). I wish it had remote keyless entry, but this is something that I will add later and I think is reasonably priced. Im sure adding these would increase price.