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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  silver streak - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By blueyz - May 2 - 10:00 am

  ive owned several SUVs and none were as fun to drive as my AZTEK. it handles well, takes tight turns and the gas milage is great. i did some sporty work to it and it looks great..

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  Awesome All Around!!! AAA - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By tc122196 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Aztek used with over 40,000 miles on it. But it still runs as if its brand new. I have never had so much fun driving a vehicle. Its as if people that drive an Aztek have a group all of their own. I recently had a guy come up to me at the mall while my husband and I were putting our purchases away..he put his arm around me and said You like yours as well as I like mine? I said oh yes! Other Aztek- ians wave when you pass..complete strangers! Fun Fun Fun!!! Our next vehicle is already decided to be another Aztek!

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  READ THIS!! - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Mandersn - May 2 - 10:00 am

  These idiots below me who said bad things about this car, dont know what theyre talking about! Ive had 3 TAs and theyve all been great. My 1995 has 95K miles on it and only in the shop for maintenance. As far as other reviews...the bad ones are only from people who dont take care of the car and rag it out every time they drive it. They quit making these to make room for new vehicles (GTO, SSR) not because they are unreliable. Morons often break things or dont take car of their cars and then blame the car when something goes wrong....what a shame. I would recommend a TA to anyone looking for a good fun car with cool looks and great power.

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  little but reliable - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Juan-Carlos - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I bought it second hand and they kill me with the financing because was my first car but is a honest little car with attitude (the tail is so nice)and run ok, normal wearing, just need care.

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  1998 Grand Prix GTP - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By debiau88 - May 2 - 10:00 am

  I love my Grand Prix. The car is fun to drive and has all of the features I want. The only drawback is that I do a lot of driving and the gas mileage isnt the best on the supercharged model.

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  GTP 40th Anniversary - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Matt Garrett - May 2 - 10:00 am

  Great car, I really enjoy the 40th Anniversary features (two-tone leather, dual power seats, dual zone A/C). Should be a collerctors car in a number of years

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  You wont regret it! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By GMinTheDriveway - April 30 - 3:23 pm

  This is not your fathers GTO. This is a modern muscle machine - a 2+2 Corvette with an added stealth advantage. Some criticize the so- called "jellybean" styling, but inside and out this is a beautiful car with power to spare. The clutch is pretty heavy for stop&go driving, but the 400 lb/ft of torque allow you to simply ease out the clutch without touching the gas. Go ahead, it wont stall like a gutless high-revving VTEC. This is pure adrenaline in a sophisticated touring package. In the words of Ferris Bueller "it is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend you pick one up"

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  Never again! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By justlikeme - April 30 - 3:33 am

  It looks good on the outside but the repairs bills have started. Ive so far had the pleasure of 2 wheel bearings, an electrical ignition, shocks, struts, speakers (base thudding.. urgh!). Now the lovely ABS light is on?!?! I just had the brakes done! It does its fun trick of not starting seems to be every 3-4 months, so yep not impressed. Getting it all ok before I get another hefty bill. Im on to an import. Cute car to drive, great storage and comfy for long rides. Reliability on this on for me just is not there.

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  Good Changeover - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Dave Baker - April 28 - 8:56 am

  Weve owned a Caravan (V6)for the past 18 years and decided to try something with better gas mileage. So far we are very pleased with the switch. The Vibe seems to be comparible on interstate as far as power goes, gas mileage was 34 mpg on our first road trip and the passenger and driver compartment was more comfortable than the van. There was actually more leg & foot room. The only downfall is the cargo space but we hope to take advantage of the roof rack for that. Finding crossbars for the roof rack on a Vibe seems to be a challenge. I should have gotten a Vibe years ago.

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  Better then you think. - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Chrono Avenger - April 27 - 8:56 am

  My last driver was a 2002 BMW M3. Is this car as good, NO. But it is 95% as good for 55%(price I paid). This car is the most fun to drive that $32,000 will buy. Handling is about 85% of the M3, but that BMW is the best right?? The ride is better then the M3 and the fit is almost as good. The seats are the best of any GM car. This is a classic GT car, big, heavy, and very fast. If your think that heaven is going around little cones in a parking lot this is not you car. If you like going for one state to the next in comfort, on real roads, not race tracks, in record times (432 mi. in 4hrs and 36mins.) under the radar. This is your car.