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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  Best Automobile Secret - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By ladywolve - May 20 - 6:13 am

  I bought this car as a basic model, as I personally didnt want all the hoopla. I cant say enough about this car. I traded my 2004 Mustang in (loved it too,just too low). I have moved with this car, taken extensive vacations in this car, and well, everyone is looking for a car that gets good gas mileage, thinking it never existed, well I still get 34 mpg. all the time! We always check this as it seems surreal at times.I guess all those Honda car owners are gritting their teeth now.

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  Like Riding in Your Living Room - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Clive T. - May 19 - 10:00 am

  This has been a decent car, but I will be trading it soon. The transmission is acting up after 80,000 miles. I drive a lot for work, and I just dont think these cars are built to go 150,000 or 200,000 miles. Mine has been hard used, to be fair. So far, its been ok. One reason I bought it was the feeling that parts would be cheap & plentiful, considering GM has been using this same basic design for years on Pontiacs, Buicks, etc. I havent had a chance to confirm this belief however.

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  6CYL W ATTITUDE - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By MOOMAN - May 19 - 10:00 am

  6 CYLINDER PUTTING OUT 240 HP UNHEARD OF! CAR IS A ROCKET. GREAT HANDLING W LOTS OF TOYS

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  All fun, All the Time - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By soho - May 19 - 4:40 am

  I waited for 7 months to get my GXP. It was worth the wait. There is so much power for such a small car that I was really surprised. It truly is a sports car in every respect.

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  I Love It! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Malori - May 18 - 6:26 pm

  I bought my G6 for my birthday last year and i absolutely love it! I get better gas mileage than any of my friends or coworkers. It has great structure to the rear end, I backed into a truck and there was no damages! No regrets!

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  Nightmare - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dude - May 18 - 4:06 pm

  Ive had this car since it was brand new and its been nothing but a nightmare to own. Im now seeing many of the problems Ive had from other reviewers, including turn signal clicking when not in use,paint peeling, seals. Two weeks after purchase, the a/c went - needed air compressor and its been downhill ever since. I only have 31,000 but have had the brake pedal assembly replaced due to car picking up speed, even going up hill, needed 2 batteries replaced in less than 3 mos., sunroof leaked, had ignition cylinder replaced 3 times because car wouldnt start; 3 days after most recent replacement, security light has been coming on while driving and dealership says cant disconnect. Run!

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  Love to drive this car - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By jjividen - May 18 - 9:36 am

  This is our second Vibe, an 04 and an "08 but this one has the big engine and flies. It handles like a sports car, beats college students from light to light, has a great sounding stereo (love the XM stations), is so roomy I can load my entire art display in it and just bungee the hatch door down to travel, is comfortable on long drives (which I love now that this car in under me), it looks beautiful with the black pearl paint, sunroof and spoiler and the wheels get admiring looks now that I took out the center plastic hubs for a sportier look.

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  WOW!! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Tony Young - May 17 - 10:10 pm

  GM nailed this one!! Look at the styling of the car, especailly from the rear, and it is as good or better than the Lexus or Porche. Hardtop convertible? Nothing touches it for the money. Quality? WOW! Innovation? Watch how the hardtop convertible works - then you will know. Forget about all you preconceived ideas if you dont think much of Pontiac. I did - and I am soooooo glad. I found out that I dont have to spend 60 to 80 K to get what I really want. I see the light! Thanks Pontiac!

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  Great first SUV - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By Eric Godat - May 17 - 10:00 pm

  Just read the news about Pontiac perhaps going good bye. Sad but this Pontiac Torrent is a rock solid performer and for good value. It is said GM always stops building a car when they got it right. I echo most of the comments above. This is a fun to drive vehicle and handles well for the 3.4L Minor gripes: the cupholder window control, Perhaps a luggage rack bar on top as standard. Back seat room is far superior to all other midsize SUVs. The only problem? My 20 year old daughter now "claims" it as her primary driving vehicle! But such is life when you teach children how to help pick a car( she picked it). But I have fun on my commute motorcycle

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  I still miss my 2005 Vibe! - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Leslie Davies - May 17 - 8:13 pm

  This is the 4th AWD drive Vibe I have owned. I had to purchase it sight unseen since my 05 lease was ending. I was delighted to hear that Pontiac was bring the AWD back, since it is such a fun, easy, efficient car to do errands around town. I only have 200 miles on it so I suppose I need a little time to adjust. It is attractive outside and I love the bright red. Inside, as a 5 foot tall women, I am still bothered by the lowering of the rear view mirror to accommodate the Onstar system, and the repositioning of the front right roof columns, along with the larger side mirrors. These 3 things seem to change my sight lines-they are different than my others models.