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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  needs improvement - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By rocky - July 3 - 10:00 am

  I like the way the car looks and the price is right but i worry about it lasting in the long run. The check engine light has been on about 4 times since i bought it 6 monthes ago.

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  Stylish but different - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Michael - July 2 - 3:46 pm

  great vehicle and really fun to drive.....had choice of the 4 gm vans....and pick the sv6.....the bold looking front end was the final selling point....plenty of room inside and comfortable ride.....bottom line.......one very happy customer.

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  excellent car for any driver - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By len - July 2 - 3:00 pm

  ive had my g6 for awhile. besides everyhitng being excellent on the vehicle somthings ive had went wrong one was the right piller molding buckeled i forget to see til i brought it home! also, volume button on steering works from time to time these are minor things though one major thing was recently had to proform right end alignment because, vehicle was pulling to the right i had 4,062 miles dealer tightened steering and problem seems to subside i realize that it is front wheel drive and must be more careful for bumps and pothole besides this car is awesome love the panoramic roof, performance and clutchless transmission a huge plus++++ i would reccommend buy!!

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  Have loved it since it was new...til now - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By pontiacgirl_78 - July 2 - 10:59 am

  I bought this car brand new in 05. I love driving it, it looks great, and its still got get up and go at 98,000 miles BUT....It needs intake gasket #3 (1st one at 23, 000 miles.) The front end is shot...the bearing, the $400 a piece struts, the steering and the axle thingy. All sorts of warning lights keep coming on too. I think sorry to say its time to trade it in. Ive also had problems with the drivers window falling down into the door twice and the back door hasnt opened in about 3 years. It has never left me on the side of the road, but now its not even safe to drive. Ive loved her and took care of her since the day I got her, but at 98k thats too much to be going wrong.

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  Love my Montana! - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By Montana - July 1 - 10:53 am

  I really enjoy driving our Montana. I can take the grandmas with us with ease as the auto sliding doors and captain seats are great for them. The grandkids really enjoy the DVD player! The all around use of our Montana has been a good experience. I only wish that the space between the drivers seats and the middle row captain seats was larger. Also, on the driver and front passenger seats could use 2 arm rests instead of the door extension. It is just not in the right place for long trip comfort. We had those on our other van and really enjoyed them.

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  Love our SSEi - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By BonnyLad - July 1 - 10:00 am

  Wow! Now I know some of you sports car nuts are going to cringe at this statement, but.....Our 2003 Bonneville SSEi is one of the fastest best road hugging vehicles I have ever owned and I ve owned a few. Excellent creature comforts, plenty of pedal, and amazing sound system and fantastic all round performance. My highest recommendation.

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  Get2workwithoutgoinbroke - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Commutn4alivin - July 1 - 10:00 am

  I have had my Grand Am three years on 110102. Have had no engine or elec problems.Door panel peeled back due to sun damage,( Live in 100 degree summer weather), and was replaced no/chg under warantee, have not had a problem since replacement.Car has 49,300 miles on it and still kicks for a V4,no rattles or squeeks. Do not care for the seat releases for letting passengers out of back seat area, they stick too much,hard for older kids and adults to get in and out of, broke off both front seat belt holders from pulling on them ..suggest 4 door instead of coupe for back seat rider use.

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  Love my car, but it has a few quirks. - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jared1987 - July 1 - 9:36 am

  Got it used in 2007 and it has been going strong. I love the smooth sporty ride and the tight handling. I havent had any major problems with it, however, certain things have started to go and with the Grand Ams, its the little things that kill you. A few months after I bought it my stereo light dimmed and its hard to see. The seal on my passengers side door is loose so when it rains heavy my entire passengers side floor is soaked. My air only works on 3 and above. Now my drivers side window is expendable and refuses to work sometimes. If you live in the Midwest please make sure you have another vehicle for winter. This gets hopelessly stuck in everything 3 inches and above. Bummer!

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  Neat car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By James - June 30 - 11:26 pm

  The only trouble we initially had were small rattles coming from the tailgate area. Turned out to be tailgate and hatch glass struts

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  Big fun - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By fred - June 30 - 8:53 pm

  I have owned many 60s and 70s muscle cars over the years, and bought 2 5.0 Mustangs new and this car is by far the fastest in stock trim. With only 1000 miles on the 06 GTO I went to the drag strip. It went 13.40s at 103.70 in the quarter mile, completely showroom stock. It gets almost 20 mpg avg and I drive 95 miles round trip to work daily. 7500 miles and not a problem.