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 little red convertible - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By nmmrc1983 - January 20 - 7:53 am

  I love my little red Pontiac.I get great gas mileage, and with gas prices on the rise, i am glad Ive got her. Nothing beats putting my top down and going home after a hard day at work. I think this car is HOT.

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  Great Car!!! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Greg - January 20 - 3:56 am

  Base model with leather and heated seats. Great car no problems at all. Was getting around 22-25 mpg mostly highway and doing 70-80.

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  Awesome Car - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bev - January 19 - 7:00 pm

  We purchased this car to save on gas, we had a Dodge SUV and it was a loan for gas. My Grand Prix is fun to drive, classy but yet sporty. My 7 year old son, thinks he is cool. I feel like a Princess driving this car. People stop and just look at my car. Its drop dead gorgeous. My husband even loves the car.

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  Oil Leaker - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Glenn Koll - January 19 - 6:20 pm

  Could be a nice economical vehicle. Reliability & depentability awful. Purchased in 12/2004 in shop four times for the same OIL LEAK. We only have 1350 miles on vehicle. Dealrship can not guarantee vehicle is repaired. GM will not honor Lemon Law. Being given the run around as dealer will write up the same repair different ways. Forced to contact product liability attorneys. As a loyal GM customer to sum this up in one word Disappointing. Will no longer purchase GM vehicles.

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  Not so happy - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Todd - January 18 - 8:03 am

  I have had this car for almost 6 months now and it has been in the shop four times. The windshield makes noise, like wind is coming in somewhere. The front end has had the bearings replaced, the struts, and the rotors have already been turned, and need to be done again. I noticed if the car sits for more than a week, the rotors are totally shot. Is this something that anyone else is having problems with? Im also not happy with the noise in the car, all the plastic is coming loose already. I actually own a Honda Civic Si, and I havent had any problems with it, as well as my Scion TC. I wish I wouldnt have bought this car, but thankfully I purchased an extended warranty!!!!

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  its ok - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By PJMoose - January 18 - 2:00 am

  Many huge pluses but not enough leg room, and I dont like the gm service so maintaining it is a drag. Driving it is fine. Handles well but a bit light on its feet in snowy conditions.

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  Love my Montana! - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By fsandyf4 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle has exceeded my expectations. Great on trips, comfortable, great handling, versatile and dependable. Everything on it works well and have had no repair needs.

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  Sunfire - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By debmdine - January 18 - 2:00 am

  The Sunfire is a great car. The problems I have with it is I feel very cramped up in the car, the seat is uncomfortable to me, and the road noise is terrible. Great gas Mileage though.

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  Great Family Vehicle - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By redhorse - January 18 - 2:00 am

  A great family vehicle. I am average height but wife is tall and we both can get in and out of this vehicle with ease and no problems. This was the most comfortable vehicle to use with an infant seat! Kids love the DVD system and the sport suspension makes the car feel like a nice sedan and fun to drive - you dont get the feel that you are actually driving a van. I have owned too many cars in my life and this is the first one I have enjoyed without compromises - by anyone. This is also the first new automobile (including some high rated ones) I have ever owned that has NOT had to have anything fixed on it - after 13 months (its a 2003)

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  2004 gto - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ashley002 - January 18 - 2:00 am

  I cant believe the performance and feel of the GTO! My husband talked me into buying the car even without driving it. (I had NEVER done that before). But, I can honestly say this is the BEST car I have EVER driven. I would recomend this vehicle to anyone!!!