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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  Lemon - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By mom of 3 - July 14 - 12:06 pm

  We have had this car in the dealership service 15 times in 1 year with no resolve. It drives horrible with transmission or fuel pump like problems. Nobody seems to have any clue as to what is wrong with it or how to fix it.

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  Trans Am goes out with a blast - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By davidjanet - July 14 - 2:00 am

  We love our Trans Am. It is a blast to drive. The control and power are fabulous. It is comfortable for short or long trips with the seats giving good support. For a car with this much power the economy is very good.

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  Quality Open Road Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BobC - July 12 - 1:30 pm

  I live in the middel of Kansas, driving highway miles all the time. Put on 13,000 miles in 6 months... Like the road feel and Traction Control in rain and especially snow/ice. At 70 mph, running only 2,000 rpm, the engine is lazy... with quick capability to pass through tight times. Love the trunk supports, which allow full use of trunk height-wise and even use the fold down rear seats two times... Fold down seat in winter to get ice buildup thawed out from heat inside car..

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  A HORRIBLE CAR - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sandra Poppell - July 12 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car, a demo, from a dealer with less than 3000 miles on it. This car is on its THIRD totally new, transmission at 62,000 miles. All of the window motors and door locks, the coil housing unit (twice), the catalytic converter (twice), power steering unit, water pump and both oxygen sensors were replaced within three years. There have been numerous repairs to gauges, fans, and pressure lines. Ive had the car towed twice this year because it starts and then chokes off immediately. They cant find the problem. I got a recall notice today from GM stating a "starting" problem that could cause fire. Great!! I wouldnt recommend this car to anyone.

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  Rad T/A - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Rad Russ - July 12 - 10:00 am

  A+ car all the way, Pontiac knows how to build them for sure!

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  Perfect - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Feather - July 12 - 10:00 am

  Shocks perfect. No bumpy rides. Fuel engine quality exellent. Perfect V8 cylinder engine quality. Exterior design is excellent and the Reliability is unbelievable. The confort is unspeakable as well as the interior design. It is the most fun to drive vechial.

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  On my third battery in shop now - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By J Langley - July 11 - 4:26 pm

  Its a sharp looking car and I did really love it. But, its been in the shop three times ( its there now). Its just stopped running when I was going down the road. Wouldnt start the next time and the last time all the light started flashing and it died. Next time it will be a lemon and Ill get an attorney. It just cant be trusted. Im a women and I dont want to be stranded.

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  Has its ups and its downs - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By R Sanders - July 11 - 4:03 am

  Overall I have really enjoyed driving my black Grand Am GT-1 a whole lot. It handles better than anything I have ever owned...I have Brigestone Re730 Z rated tires and they never squeal! However the car has had quality issues...manifold replaced twice, power window regulator, fan switch...luckily I had purchased a bumper to bumper warranty through 75,000 miles with Warranty Direct and it has paid for itself many times over. One design flaw is that the only way to keep out bad outside air is to set it to MAX AC because the car lacks a Recirculate Air button like every car I have ever owned in my life...it is a mystery why they didnt include such an essential....eg Deisel Bus up ahead

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  First car - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Mitch - July 11 - 1:53 am

  Im 18 years old and this is my first car. I think its one the better looking cars you can buy. Runs great at 132,000 miles and doesnt burn oil. 0- 60 time is ok and nothing to brag about. so far ive got an cold air intake an a brand new flowmaster. It maxes out at 115 in fourth at 5500 rpms. A great car to start off with. Im currently saving up for a Gto because 180hp is not enuff for me. need something that will lock me into the drivers seat not tap me. overall 8/10

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  What a nice lil car... - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By ndrabble - July 9 - 10:33 pm

  In a nutshell, the Vibe has performed as well as I expected it to. Two years, 90K miles and no mechanical issues yet; however, the original Continental tires didnt make it pass 20K and the original paint job is the worst Ive ever experienced. But, the lil car is averaging about 34/35 mpg on the highway. The ride is not so bad, perhaps a lil loud and a lil slow on the initial pickup or for passing, but enough. Seats are firm and comfortable. And, Im sure I could mention lots of other things. Overall, I am pleased with it for what I bought it for: a comfortable, affordable, practical and easy on the gas lil commuting vehicle (I commute 150 a day)...