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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  Un-reliable and Un-Safe! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Zach - May 29 - 5:13 pm

  We loved the traction control, and the load leveling system at first. In Dec., everything went wrong! load leveling system stopped working in awkward stance and it was more up in the back then the front. dealer charged us $863.00 for that to be fixed. Then the headgasket went and the emergency brake failed when parked. After we got all of that fixed, an accident ouccured in January. We were on the NYS Thruway and we were going on a trip. Then we were hit in the back of the minivan by a SUV and then we slammed into the pick-up truck in front of the van and intruded into my wife and I and we were sent to the hospital, and my wife was in a coma for 4 months. Will never buy a GM again!

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  Love my Bonneville; could be roomier - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Tim Houseknecht - May 29 - 12:46 pm

  I bought this vehicle because I love the way it looks and rides. One pro reviewer didnt like the looks of the 02 model, but I think its one of the best looking cars out there. It handles great on the interstate and all country roads. A couple of complaints: Mine doesnt get 29 on the highway (lucky to get 24). A friend tells me he gets 29 or 30 on the highway with his SLE. I wish it had the room of the Chrysler cars. Im 64, my wife is tall, and so are my kids. For that reason, I should have looked more seriously at the 300 or Intrepid (tons of room). If Pontiac ever made a roomier version, Id buy one. Its a well built vehicle.

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  TA - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By guilt1 - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I bought this car in 2005 and have had very few problems with it. The car handles amazingly well. The engine runs strong and I havent experienced any major issues with it yet. The 275 hp LT1 is a little down on horsepower, but that can be solved with just a few small and fairly cheap modifications. In my personal experience with the car, I find the more I do to it, the more it rewards me with better gas mileage, more horsepower, and more fun when I plant the gas pedal. The seats are comfortable even on fairly long drives. If your car has t-tops then I highly recommend getting T-top shades on hot summer days. This car is for sure one that I would like to keep around for the long run.

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  Never buying american made again. - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By bob - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I purchased one and all I have to say I will never buy a GM vehicle ever again. Im always on top of any maintenance and im not a crazy driver, this car has been a money pit, something breaks on it every 5000 miles, im on my third engine, and have had nothing but problems with the rest of the drive train. For the amount ive put in, to keep it going I could have bought a new car. next car will be a honda after seeing what American made can do. now I see why GM has had such low sales over the years.

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  The Most Refined FWD Grand Am - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Matt - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I owned a 1995 SE2 before this one, and finally decided to buy the 04 since my truck isnt getting the mileage it used to. So far the gas mileage has been great (25+ mpg)and there is enough power in that LA1 V6 to keep me in the fast lane without getting pulled over. I read some reviews about horrible gas mileage, but their favorite features are SPEED?!? Dumb. If you overdrive any car, after a while it will lose mileage. Stick with AC Delco replacement plugs/filters/wires/etc. and change them at regular intervals. This car will keep you going for well over 100K miles. The LA1 3.4-liter V6 is the most refined, American-built 60° since the 2.8-liter was introduced in the 80s. Great engine.

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  Maintain your car - No problems!!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Grand AM GT for me! - May 29 - 2:00 am

  I am sitting here laughing my backside off at all the complaints. All but a few are due to lack of maintaince, just plain ignorance in taking care of a car, and the attitude "if it aint broke dont fix it"! For instance the clicking in the dash is nothing but cleaning the turn signal wires on the blinker control. I bought my 2004 Grand Am Gt, loaded, used, with 57000 miles on it. It had everything original even the tires. I am still driving it as I bought it cause someone took great care of it and maintained it as any intelligent will do. Get off your backside "crybabies" and read the manual or cant you read???? Great car, no proglems! Always blame someone else for your troubles!! Duh!

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  Unhappy customer - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By yolonda hunter - May 28 - 9:43 am

  I purchased this Aztec not even 3mos. Ago and Im having problems with the brakes, wheel bearings, headlight shift gear ac unit. I was told that the SUV went through to inspection and that everything was working fine thats not true these cars can be a good car if you can repair it yourself because its a costly vehicle to have so I dont recommend this one at all know. Wonder they stopped making them in 2005 because the only thing they offer is space dont buy if you use this vehicle as an every day car please.

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  These cars are fun - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Barron - May 27 - 3:33 am

  This car is super fast, look great, and turn heads of all ages everywhere I go. Its now 9 years old and is still one of the best looking cars on the road. Ive owned mine a few years now with zero problems and I will say that the car is as much fun now as the day I bought it. Highly recommended!

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  Got money? Youll need it... - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By MelF - May 26 - 2:00 am

  Up until last week I swore I would always stick w/ Pontiac. Then my water pump went and because the Quad4 engine is so insane it would cost me $800+ to have a $44 water pump replaced. As it is my husband has to completely disassemble the engine, jack it up, remove the timing chain, etc. just to get to the water pump. My landlord owns an auto repair shop and refuses to even touch my Quad4 setup. Im getting rid of it within a month before I end up spending $1500 for a used head plus labor...

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  Decent Car for the $ - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tempest68 - May 26 - 2:00 am

  This is a decent car with good performance, adequate handling, and great looks. Original BF Goodrich tires were marginal in wet conditions, so Goodyear Auqatreads were put on (and do MUCH better). Biggest headache for DIYers is changing the serpentine belt - it required special tool rental and removing an upper motor mount! No belt should be that involved!