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:

• 

  Best car Ive ever owned! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Bob - August 8 - 3:46 am

  I bought a silver 05 G6 STD sedan 18 months ago and havent had a problem with it yet. The fuel economy is great, even though I only have the 4- speed automatic. The car drives and handles great-both in the city here in Washington, DC and on the highway on my way out to the beach or to Pittsburgh. When I first bought it, I couldnt stop staring at it. I still get compliments on the cars styling. If youre looking for something that looks great, is practical and economical, youve got to test drive this car. One note: I should have gotten the XM radio option. I had to retrofit an aftermarket unit, which doesnt look as clean as if I would have just gotten the optional radio.

• 

  Underrated - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By D - August 7 - 8:33 pm

  The car is essentially a Toyota. Due to it having a Pontiac logo on it the resale and general perception is not as good as it should be. Ive owned my car for three years and have had almost no issues. It has been extremly reliable. The only problem is that the stock tires wore out quickly and needed to be replaced with less than 30k miles on the car. I am impressed with the quality of the interior. The cloth seats are much better than that Ive seen in Jetta, Civic, and impreza.

• 

  GRAND PRIX GXP 2008-STILL THE BEST - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By awos - August 6 - 3:24 am

  Just an update on my 2008 GXP. I have 55,000 miles on it now and still running like new. Its hard to believe that most car mags blasted this car. This car will run with most sports sedans and knock the hell out of the rest. If you can find one thats been maintained, oil changes and the like, BUY IT. Im 6 3"" tall and 230 lbs and the leather seats are still in great shape. Why Pontiac was killed is a shame. Bring it back, somebody.

• 

  WORST CAR!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By unhappy - August 4 - 11:30 pm

  I bought the car in 2009. It only had 63000 miles on it. I thought it would be good for a 2002 model vehicle. The interior has cheap plastic. I only got to put 8000 miles on it when there were too many problems to list in order to fix this chunk of metal GM called a car. It did run fairly well. But I was unsure how reliable it would have been on longer trips other than around town. I will NEVER buy another pontiac vehicle.

• 

  2004 Pontiac Sunfire 2dr Coup 2.2L4cyl - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Myra - August 4 - 10:23 pm

  When I bought this car, it only had 27,000 miles on it. I drive around 100 miles a day. It now has 165,000 miles. Runs like a new one. The only things I have had to replace is the cluster panel, the window motor & regulator and the switch module. Just had to do that recently. As for as the engine nothing, just the regular maintenance. My goal is to get 200,000 miles on it and I should be able to without a problem. I can honestly say it has been one of the best cars I have ever owned.

• 

  Ask the dealer - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Leann Bell - August 4 - 8:50 pm

  Ive had my Torrent for some time now no big problems so far lots of little ones had it serviced the mechanic left radiator cap off over heated on a trip. I asked the dealership how to verify that AWD is operational, said to take it out put it in mud and try to see if it works, GM cant answer this question either. Worried about wheel bearings. Not good work from dealer shop.

• 

  200k and going strong - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jazbo01 - August 4 - 6:33 pm

  Update to a review a few years ago..my GP now was 200,000 on it, no visible rust we have owned it for the past 100,000 miles and the only work done to it has been maintenance NO issues-ever starts and runs whether its 100* or -40*. I drove this car back and forth for training 800 miles a week in -20 to -40 degree winter and the car avg 28.3mpg over the 6 week time frame..unreal! I have no plans on selling this car until it rots out and then ill buy another one. Great car!

• 

  Grand Am Review - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By M T Shipley - August 4 - 12:26 am

  Excellent selection for Quality, Safety, and Reliability. There are things I like about it more than other more extensive vehicles I have owned.

• 

  Missing my Bonneville - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ponti-mani-ac - August 1 - 3:53 pm

  After having 3 Grand Prixs, I went up to the Bonneville. Wish I had done it sooner. It was a fun to drive, comfortable, sporty, yet classy car. I got great gas mileage, avg around 28mpg. Never had any problems with it. I came out of an almost head on collision at 50mph, taking the brunt of the hit down the drivers side, with no injuries! Unfortunately it was totaled. Now I have a 2007 Grand Prix, since Pontiac discontinued the Bonneville; Bigmistake Pontiac! Would have bought another Bonneville for sure!

• 

  Great wheels - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By marvel90 - July 31 - 7:53 pm

  The Monsoon Sound system is much better than the Bose in the Infiniti I traded. Never had a car before that got "lookers" when I was at the gas station! Only flaw-the instrument panel gauges do not have illumination during the day, great at night!