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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  190,000 Miles Later...... - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By rose38478 - March 16 - 6:09 am

  Yes, what it said. I put 190,000+ miles on my Pontiac. Bought it 4.5 years ago, just traded it and I miss it horribly. No mechanical trouble except basic maintenance and 1 thermostat. Paint stood up well to the test of time. Only thing interior wise is my dashboard cracked a little way up by the window. Other than that, stayed great. Seats didnt tear, rug didnt wear out. The engine gave you enough power to get where you needed to go quickly. I wish Pontiac had stuck around. I would have bought another.

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  its really good - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By southsidelak - March 15 - 1:50 pm

  this car is all u need for excitement to family vacations. performs great,looks great and best of all the price was right.. had no problems other then rain water coming in from the fire wall but it is fixable for under 10 dollars. Smart buy....

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  Cheap and cheery - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Avid Napper - March 14 - 11:30 pm

  I needed to economize and fast, so traded in my 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT with AWD for a 2005 Pontiac Vibe with AWD. While I miss the pickup and heft of the Magnum, I certainly dont miss the frequent trips to the gas station. Plus, the Vibe hugs the road and is surprisingly peppy for a car that gets great mileage (well, compared to the PT Cruiser I had before the Magnum, which didnt get such great mileage, come to think of it). While I was afraid I was going to resent driving around in an economy- mobile (and honestly, I will wish Pontiac offered heated seats when winter returns), Im quite pleased with it. And my partner, a snob where American cars are concerned, enjoys driving it too.

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  yeah! for Pontiac - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By IBEX - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Finally an answer to all the boring Grand Am and Grand Priz models. I bought the 2004 Pontiac GTP model with the comp G package. I have never been so pleased with a GM vehicle. This car is fast and it gets good gas mileage. Ive driven it in Alaska during the winter (handled the icy roads no problem). Ive even driven it through the Colorado Rockies (can you say fun). Next stop Hwy 1 in California

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  This is my favorite toy. - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By ccaffrey - March 11 - 1:54 am

  Ever since I first seen this car in a magazine, I thought that it was the most beautiful car that I had ever seen. Having to always have some kind of muscle car, I didnt buy a Solstice until they put the turbo in it. Then, I installed a K&N filter and finally, I had the GM turbo upgrade kit installed. Now my 2008 GXP will scream. Imagine 300 hp in a go cart. I love everything about it except, no spare, not console, no trunk space and the location of the electric windows. My Solstice is Blazen Oranage and I had tinted windows installed and that little touch really added to the beauty of this little screamer. Garage kept in winter. My every day car is a Toyota 2012 full loaded FJ.

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  Purchased new - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By drava - March 10 - 6:29 am

  I now have 114,000 miles on car. Am very satisfied, It handles like a sports car, feels like a sport car, performs like a sports car with its hi tech engine and 6 speed trans. I wish a supercharger was available, Did you know that the GT engine is the same base engine used in the Lotus Elise sports car? I understand the engine is built by Yamaha A supercharger is available for the engine by Lotus plus it has a special software to control the valve timing I have replaced only normal wear items ie clutch, brakes, tires, struts Did have powerwidow problem ie glass coming loose from regulater, but they did have a recall on that

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  Great Car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Michael - March 8 - 2:43 pm

  I recently went out and bought a red Pontiac G6 for my wife. She loves everything about the car. It is smooth quiet and easy to drive and it looks great. I have a co-worker who had just bought a new V6 Honda Accord and then saw my wife’s G6 say “I wish I had one of those.” My wife’s G6 has the 3.5 V6 it has a good amount of power and gets great gas mileage. The interior is very roomy. All of the audio and climate controls are big and easy to use. My wife loves the interior’s look and feel but it does use some cheaper materials than it competitors. I would have say that people shopping in this segment should take a serious look at the G6. It is a great car especially for the money.

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  love my bonne - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By aerial - March 4 - 10:00 am

  My car carries a load comfortably. The only trouble Ive had with it is having the transmission computer reset every other year as it suddenly starts shifting gears roughly. I love the comfort, the ride and the reliability.

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  Solstice in Michigan - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By 9966 - March 4 - 3:20 am

  I debated between the Solstice, Mazda, and Sky. I had a car on lease, and let the lease buyout sway my decision. I now have a 2006 Solstice, it had 3,300 miles when I bought it. I now have 8,000 miles and am totally happy. My only regret is it has very little space for anything except me a passenger and a couple cups of coffee. I had the opportunity to drive it on a 500 mile trip, and love it. Top is easy to raise and lower, and tight as a drum. I wanted a fun, sporty, stickshift, good handling, quick sports car like the old MGs and Austin Healy and that is what I feel I have. I kid Vette owners it is a halfavette - cylinders, size, and price! But a lot of fun.

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  Awesome Aussie-Gett one quick! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Dvick - March 2 - 1:03 pm

  Bought this car in July 09; blows away my friends BMW 550i for 1/2 the $$- Have 13k on the car, absolutely love it- cant beleive GM is gonna pull the plug when they finally got it right. More interior room than a BMW 750i, More trunk space, super comfy, great handler, V8 hauls. Have had all the imports, BMW, Merc, Lexus,Infiniti, this one tops them all. Enjoy driving it so much I took the family to Vegas in it, 3k miles total, averaged 24 mpg @ 85+mph loaded to the gills across the desert! In town expect 15-16 mpg. I am seriously considering buying another just to mothball for when I run this one into the ground! GM- PLEASE keep this car, maybe as a Chevy Impala? Try one, youll love it!