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 my new 2 door pontiac 2007 G5 - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By ssunkissedd - May 31 - 8:00 am

  I just got a yellow 2 door Pontiac G5. Its a 2007. I love this car. Ive had it for 2 days now, an couldnt ask for a better car. Great fuel economy, XM radio, great pioneer sound system (stock), sun roof, great interior an exterior look. Its a good car all around. I use to have a 04 sunfire, but Im absolutely in love with this car. An wouldnt trade it even for a Ferrari.

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  Not so happy - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Jennifer - May 30 - 9:33 pm

  We bought our vibe new in 2003. I was happy to have the style of a Pontiac and the reliability of the Toyota engine. Was I wrong! I have replaced my engine already at 70K. After research I have come to find out this is a common problem in Toyota engines. I would have expected something more reliable than what was purchased. I do love this car, or I wouldnt have spent the money to replace the engine. But it has left a bad taste in my mouth about the Vibe. I will not be purchasing another one for a 2nd car as planned. Its hard to praise a vehicle whose engine barely lasts past 70K. Boo Toyota. Would rather see a GM motor in this car.

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  From 02 Envoy to 05 Grand Prix - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By clamp man - May 30 - 8:43 am

  Grand Prix GT, Great value, a lot of fun to drive, affordable, fast enough, great throaty exhausy sound from the dual tailpipes. Nice and tight bucket seats. A lot of utility included with the fold down rear and front seat.

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  Safety - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By fivej - May 29 - 2:00 am

  It was too cold outside to open a window and I had to pick up a solid 8 foot drapery rod. I really appreciated the passthrough. My only disappointment is that I read today that the Grand Prix was on the bottom of the Nat Safety Test. 3 stars only.

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  Standard GM quality - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By justducky150 - May 28 - 9:50 pm

  This has been a wonderful family vehicle. We bought with 29K in 2002 for $18M. Fully loaded w/o DVD and 100K/6yr warranty for $2K, great value by the way, after all its a GM. Standard accoutrements are excellent. The leather, rear air/rear sound, automatic sliding door, quad seating are all you can ask for unless you appreciate listless children drooling over the most recent Disney DVD. We love this vehicle and wish GM wasnt leaving the utilitarian minivan market. Crossovers dont offer the room and the Suburban is too big. Were going foriegn due to GMs shortsightedness and lack of caring for the family utility vehicle...the mini-van. God rest its soul. Marketing sure led to its demise.

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  Passlock problems - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Ali2681 - May 28 - 3:00 pm

  Until this year I have never had a problem with my Grand Am. I loved the car....that is until I started getting stranded all the time. Everyone says to wait 10 min with the key on but I always end up waiting at least 40. And its not always my security light that goes on its the service engine soon, trac off and ABS. I am getting really tired of having to sit in parking lots for up to an hour waiting for my car to start, how will I go grocery shopping when its hot!? This is a BIG problem and GM needs to do a recall on this issue. I have always had a problem with the brakes on this car too.

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  One outstanding car! - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By SE Lover - May 28 - 10:00 am

  This car is simply amazing. For less than $26000, you get quite a luxurious yet sporty car with tons of safety features, power, styling, roominess, and amenities. I really am astounded that I dont see more of them on the road.

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  Highly Under-rated vehicle - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By wayseeker - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my car for almost 3 years now. I have only had three things in need of repair at the shop - the drivers side window, a gasket leak (caused by me), and new brake rotors. Otherwise, with regular maintenance, this car has been a reliable and consistent performer. Excellent pick- up, great handling, decent fuel- economy from a domestic V6, and styling that still turns heads. They didnt skimp on interior features either - the seats are comfortable, even on lengthy trips, and passengers arent crammed in as an afterthought. The sound system is solid, and the A/C is still icey-cool.

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  I love my GT - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By southerndelight - May 27 - 8:26 am

  I love the handling, comfort, and looks of my GT! I have the only one in my city and surrounding area everybody wants my car! I do not plan on trading this one I do believe I will drive it till the wheels fall off!

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  not a quad 4 - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Lucifersinferno - May 24 - 10:00 am

  this is not a quad 4, it is a 2.4l twin cam, the quad 4 was in the 95 and below grand ams, it was a 2.3 and said quad 4 on it, so they didnt put a quad 4 in another car, this engine is actually pretty reliable, granted, there are "those" cars that have problems from the get go, i love my GA and would suggest future posters to study up a bit on their car before writing a review.