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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  My Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Paul Camp - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I love my Vibe. That may sound strange for a man to say, but I do! I love the way it drives, looks , and how it handles on the road. But most of all I like the fact that I dont have to stop and gas it up all the time. A tank of gas in this car seems to go forever. I also think that the Vibe is a people friendly car. The other day I pulled up to the Bank at the same time as another Vibe owner. Before I could get out of my Vibe a woman in her Vibe called out to me and said "nice Vibe. How do you like it?"

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  Pontiac Vibe 2003 - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By aponas - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Its perfomance is good. Takes to the road well. The design is a new mod- look. Handling is good. The only dis- like is the hub-caps make a terrible noise when driving over turtles, which is embarssing. Espically when we have guests in the car.

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  Pontiac Grand Am - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Jayo - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my second Grand Am. I like it because it is available as a 2 door, very dependable, fun to drive, good on gas, and an overall good value for the money, and it flies. I have only had to change oil and change brake pads/shoes on my previous Grand Am.

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  My 3rd Grand Am - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By BCR - March 8 - 2:00 am

  This is my 3rd Grand Am and the best one Ive owned. I finally got everything I wanted with this one... leather, XM Radio, Ram Air V6, shiny chrome rims... which were not available when I purchased the last 2 cars. I get compliments every day on this car!

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  Great 4-Door Supercharged Fun - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Joe D. - March 8 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the 2004 Grand Prix GTP Comp G. If you have the money spring for the Comp G. A lot of fun to drive. Excellent exceleration, good looks and great stereo. Have always bought Pontiacs and this is a huge step in the right direction over the 2003 model. Now if Pontiac would just drop in a six speed stick. Fuel for the Soul.

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  04 Grand Prix GTP - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Sherri1 - March 8 - 2:00 am

  Great car. Excellent handling. I have had no problems what so ever with this vehicle.

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  Fun to drive - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By DStark - March 6 - 8:23 am

  I love this car! I bought a base model which doesnt have all the bells and whistles as a more expensive model but it rides and drives great.. So if youre looking for a car without spending a lot of bucks, this is it! I highly recommend the G6.

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  Last of the classic Grand Prixs... - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Russ - March 5 - 2:00 am

  The GTP coupe is truly the last of the classic Grand Prix line.Nothing against sedans,but this is the best looking model since the 70s.At 3,500 lb it has the weight to match the 240 hp/280 ft.lb.supercharged 3.8L engine.Feels like the classic performance models of 60s.At 73,000 miles theres been no major problems except a dead battery and dry-rotted tires.Slight oil seepage but that happens at higher mileage. Gas mileage isnt that bad for a supercharged engine, using premium actually gives it better mileage, go figure. Nice leather interior, drivers seat is comfortable when finally dialed in. Overall a sharp, solid car.

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  My Latest Convertible - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By OldMGDriver - March 4 - 9:43 pm

  Ive had a 1958 TR-3A, a 1972 MGB and a 1988 Chevy Cavalier Z24 convertible in my driving lifetime and this is the best overall package in the bunch. The only drawback is the tiny trunk when the hardtop is stowed, but, for heavens sake, it IS a hardtop convertible! The thing must go somewhere! Fit and finish seems excellent. Several storage cubbyholes in the cockpit are very handy for stowage of manuals, remote controls and other "glove box" items. ONStar and XM radio are wonderful additions. The ac/heater vents have provided a perfect home for my Garmin GPS. Well see how she likes the trip up to our condo in Flagstaff.

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  Great value drivers car - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Ron - March 4 - 7:23 pm

  I have the 2009 SRM G8 GT with premium and sports. This is a drivers car, and is amazingly nimble for its size. The interior can be nicer, but that is not the reason why people buy this car. The AFM when engaged adds vibration. As a previous reviewer commented, the idle is a bit rough, but that is true of most cars with the LS series push rod engine. The handling is excellent for such a big car. It beats my previous front-heavy Accord V6 hands down. And the V8 engine propels the car to highway speeds in a blink of the eye. Unfortunately, the price one pays for such performance is high fuel consumption. All-in-all, driving this car is a blast and surprisingly comfortable. Great car.