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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  I love this car/crossover whatever - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By Tim S. - February 21 - 8:00 pm

  So nice, so tight. Moves as one unit. No squeeks, no rattle, just solid build. Quiet, with a nice tech sound to the engine. Everything high technology. Seats firm and fitting. Sit high and command a view of the road. About 26 mpg on the road at 65. 55 gets you 28

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  Screaming Bargain - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By JCP - February 21 - 3:36 pm

  After looking for a used G8 GT and considering other mid sized vehicles, the dealer offered me a new G8 for about what a used one would cost. I love being able to blow off ANY Acuras, Infinitys, Lexuss, and most BMWs at a fraction of their cost. Gas mileage on the first three tanks is 21 with a mix of city/hwy/and quite a few WOT demos for friends and family.Should improve as it gets broken in.Handling is great and the ride is a good compromise, interior space is better than anything else in this price range. Anyone considering a midsize/large vehicle should drive the GT, as it is, by far, the best value in the market today.In the future the government will outlaw cars this fun!

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  Love this car! - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Rosy - February 21 - 2:23 am

  Ive wanted a convertible for a long, long, time and now that the kids are grown and gone this was the perfect opportunity. This car is classy and just beautiful. Stands out from the other convertibles and you wont see a bunch of them on the road. Yes, the trunk is small, but so what. If I wanted a "trunk", I would have kept my Infinity. This car hugs the road and just feels tight. Love it!

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  A Great Car ... Through The Years! - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By k_texas - February 20 - 3:36 pm

  I bought my Vibe new back in early 07 ... here it is five years later and I still love it. She (yes, its a girl -- with her own name) just turned the corner and has safely and efficiently taken me over 100,000 miles. Cant rave enough about fuel economy. Last road trip was just a few weeks ago (about 900 miles r/t) ... she did me proud with 30-35 mpg!! Really?? YES! I noticed a past reviewer commented on very poor handling in Midwest winter snows. Id like to chime in on that and say mine was quite the Opposite. She handled herself very respectably in a South Dakota winter -- with FOUR blizzards back-to-back.

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  Looking to trade it in - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Aresee - February 19 - 9:06 pm

  I have mixed feelings about my car. Ive had the car for 2 months. I love the way it looks, driving a manual transmission convertible can be fun. People in those BMW Z4s always look at me instead of me looking at them now But the transmission and gear ratios arent great with this car. Ask anyone that owns a Solstice about "the clunk" and the "differential" problems that they may have been having. GM claims the clunk is normal and has no remedy for the problem. A/C makes an annoying whine. Rear differential makes an annoying whine Also be prepared to pay a 3k-6k markup on this car like I did. If you want the car I recommend finding a dealership that will sell for MSRP It will be well worth it

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  Rock solid car - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bnw - February 19 - 6:22 pm

  Weve had Saabs and VWs, Olds and Buicks, Dodges and Triumphs. This Bonney, now at 237,000 miles, is the best car Ive ever had (even though its being a sedan kept us from being able to move furniture in it). Time, distance, and New England winters are finally catching up with it -- no major repairs ever needed until this past year -- and Im finding that I cannot find anything near as good and as responsive and comfortable to drive (while being affordable) as the Bonney nowadays. Massive, major mistake to deep-six Pontiac and Oldsmobile.

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  Proud American T/A - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By Smoky Mountain T/A - February 19 - 2:26 pm

  I previously owned a 1996 Formula but wanted a convertible. Since I loved the Formula, I bought a Trans Am with only 3500 miles on it from a collector. This T/A is even better than the Formula with incredible acceleration and really too much power. The cloth top is easy to maintain and open/close. The ride is fine although I heard the WS6 handling package makes for a stiffer ride. There really is no need for the WS6 unless you are racing the car. The automatic transmission takes you right to the red line so dont bother with the 6-speed unless that is what you prefer. Why anyone would buy a foreign sports car is beyond me. It is a shame the American mindset has turned to foreign ownership.

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  hot bird - 1999 Pontiac Firebird
  By ed farmer - February 19 - 10:00 am

  i haved owned my car for several years and i plan on keeping this car for a very long time. I realy enjoy my firebird.

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  Satisfied Buyer - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Lily - February 19 - 10:00 am

  Great car. No complaints.

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  1st Grand Am GT - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By apple3006 - February 19 - 5:20 am

  I love my car!!! I bought it with 21K miles still under warranty. Regular oil changes, tire rotations, etc. this car runs fine. I changed the battery and had work done under warranty just after purchasing, since then, no problems!! I work at a high end car retailer and wouldnt even think of buying from my job. Very reliable car, good engine,love the leather interior, moonroof and "moonsoon" stereo. I get tons of compliments about the chrome wheels too! Only wish it had more grip in the snow and ice, you have to drive carefully in the winter weather. Just a tad bit more HP would make this car better, but its awesome!!