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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  ooh no!!!!!!!!!!! - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By nad - November 19 - 7:03 pm

  I bought an 09 G6 GT currently 28400 miles and today it went dead and wouldnt start. I had to call ONSTAR to the rescue, but the tow truck company wouldnt give me a ride so I had to call a friend to get home. A anti theft symbol a (car and lock) showed up on my dash as I was driving along and then my speedometer went crazy and I pulled off the highway thinking I was going to go down and as I expected it wouldnt start again when I shut down.

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  terrible interior - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Scott - November 12 - 3:06 pm

  The car drives well though the cheap body cladding was falling apart after 2 weeks and the brakes could be better. This has to be the cheapest interior GM has ever made. Im confident the car will run forever as the powertrain is not bad but who wants to ride in such a crappy interior? It also has no flash to pass, you have to click it to engage, I dont have to do that on my 92 Explorer! I am very dissapointed in the build quality of this vehicle. I will never purchase another GM product again. Rental car at best!

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  Unsatisfied - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By Leeryleo - November 11 - 1:50 am

  This car is a total let down. Interior could not be any cheaper. Other than the cheap cloth (?) seats everything seems to be hard plastic. Now that the weather is warming up the inside has a awful plastic smell. The fuel mileage is terrible. We had to have the tie rods replaced in less than 2000 miles. Car hesitates while driving, lack of useful accessories, and very cheap paint job. We hate this new car.

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  Not Happy - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Anonymous - October 31 - 8:00 pm

  I bought this car and immediately the speakers were blown, the roof was rattling and my interior was staining from water. GM refused to help; its been over 10 months now and the water stain issue still exists. Cant wait to get rid of this car. The roof rattles constantly and have had it in the shop at least 5 times for the roof, 3 for the interior and other times for other problems.

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  Disappointing - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Patty Romanelli - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This car is very disappointing. Loud road noise. Seating poor except for short people. Poor rear visibility for backing up. Fan control has a poor responce. Vehicle should have rear view mirror standard with temp./direction/auto glare change; not an option.

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  5 Year Follow-up - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By rail81 - October 30 - 10:23 am

  This is a follow-up review. I wrote one after initial purchase. Bottom line, GMs got to do better. The exterior design and discounted price sold us this car and I wish it hadnt. I now understand what professional car reviewers look for. The interior design is poor and cheap. The finish on the steering wheel is peeling and the low glovebox is nearly inaccessible. The seat side bolsters have worn through and the cheap interior plastic is impossible to clean. Horrible side/rear visibility. The engine has been reliable but the transmission now shifts harshly from 1st. Steering has been repaired twice. Airbag system acts up. Neither of our 150K+ mile Fords have had any problems.

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  Never Again - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By KenB - October 28 - 10:36 am

  This car was trash almost from the start. Brakes always noisy. Replaced 4 alternators. Drivers window regulator replaced. Water pump replaced twice. Front wheel bearings replaced. Now the intake gasket is leaking. This car and my family will soon part company. I will never buy a Pontiac again. I will think very hard about buying ANY GM product.

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  not best car - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By minotrice - October 19 - 6:58 am

  *had the 2.2 with autotran, was not a choice. bought brand new, had it 11 years untill it was totaled and overall just not a great car. blew tranny at 80,000 miles blew fuel pump at 60,00o lots of other issues, electrial gremils ect. the worst part was when hit the tree the airbags deployed minutes after the crash not durng, i was stoped and already shut off motor

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  DONT buy a Pontiac G5 or Chev. Cobalt - 2009 Pontiac G5
  By rogerandsally - October 13 - 4:03 pm

  Do not buy a Pontiac G5 or Chev. Cobalt. If you could buy one for half the MSRP maybe otherwise look else where. Seats very uncomfortable. Gas mileage not that good for a small 4 cyl. Mine did not even come with a spare tire or jack. It is not only plastic, but cheap plastic. And I am sure resale will be horrible. Do not learn the hard way like I have. I LOVE AMERICA, but not their small cars.

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  I love the look, hate the unreliability - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By sherry - October 4 - 3:43 am

  I absolutely love my Aztek. The look, the drive, the storage. Okay, the hatch sticks, and you need to use the fob as you lift up the back hatch or else it locks again. I have 56,000 miles, first it was the electrical wiring with the headlight, then wiring with the starter, now its the transmission. My mechanic shrugged and said its the same Grand Am transmission. $2,000 repair! I need reliable!I can do without cute! Im so disappointed!