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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  Front End Problems and Bad DVD Player - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By stepht - November 26 - 11:40 pm

  I bought the van in March 2007 as new. It ran great but after 3 months the DVD player started to skip all the time. It was replaced and seems to work fine now. The front end had problems. My ABS,Stability, and Traction control lights all came on at once last month. They replaced the passenger side hub and something in the steering column. When I got it back it now pulsates badly when braking from a higher speed and the steering moans loudly when I turn left. It is back in the shop now. I hope this resolves the issues. I like the dealership where I purchased the car and the dealership in town that does the service.

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  Nice Car - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Paul - November 26 - 10:03 pm

  I have had this car for about two years and the car has performed outstandingly. I bought the car with all the GTP options except the supercharger. I was planning on adding performance parts to the car, but I decided that the car was fine the way it is.

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  1995 FireHawk - 1995 Pontiac Firebird
  By Harley - November 26 - 6:30 am

  Purchased this for a fun summer car. 1 Owner Firehawk with all SLP options and 315 HP, 6 speed hurst along with the $1500 suspension option. Fast, Quick and currently less than 42000 miles. Keeping everything stock from now but hopefully this will be worth what I paid for it a few years down the road.

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  Unreliable - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By TomGA - November 25 - 10:00 am

  Car has 97xxx miles on it, transmission makes a whining noise past second gear (after some research Ive determinded that other people have also had this same problem). Needs to be rebuilt or replaced. Quad 4 engine is has known problems with cracking. Both drivers and passenger side window motors had to be replaced. Hazards recently stopped working. Ive gone through three sets of brakes so far. Overall, Ive put more money into it than I bought it for used (~$4000) a few years ago. Now that the transmission needs to rebuilt, a $2000 repair, I think Im going to ditch it and get a new car.

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  Its comfortable and affordable!!! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By snjmilly@aol.com - November 25 - 10:00 am

  This is my first mini van and I absolutely love it. We have taken it on several long distance road trips and the comfort and accessibility to the second and third rows is wonderful. I dont know who enjoys driving it more, me or my husband! It is very comfortable.

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  Dont underestimate me - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Aumsville RN - November 25 - 10:00 am

  The Aztek is fun and unsual to own. People look at it wherever I go. The comfort level is better than any other SUV type vehicle and not to be overlooked in the market place. It is functional for a family or for an individual, yet great for hauling groceries or home improvement items. Backseat room is more than adequate for a large man due to the headroom and superior legroom. That 5 can ride in comfort is one of the great features. A/C & heat vents directed to the rear passengers keeps everyone happy. The reclining rear seats allows for passenger rest where other models do not. The sound system is terrific!

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  BAD NEWS - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By MARK SCHOLZ - November 25 - 10:00 am

  BRAKES ARE LIKE DISPOSABLE DIAPERS ON THIS CAR. IF YOU DRIVE IT HARD YOULL PAY. i HAVE SHUDDERING FROM THE FRONT END AS DO MANY OTHER OWNERS. THE ENGINE IS DIFFICULT TO WORK ON. THE SEATS DONT LAST AND YOUR REAR SPOILER WILL FADE QUICKLY. PARTS ARE CHEAP FOR THE CAR SO IF YOURE MECHANICALLY INCLINED AND HAVE THE TIME YOU CAN KEEP IT GOING. IM GLAD I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I FORGOT HOW CRAPPY GM CARS WERE AND HAD PLANNED ON BUYING A TAHOE. NOT ANYMORE. THE CAR IS POORLY DESIGNED JUNK. AVOID IT. RESALE ON THE CAR IS PATHETIC.

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  worth the search - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By cc27 - November 25 - 10:00 am

  I have been searching for a car for nearly a year...wanting something that was highly rated by consumers, economical, safe and affordable with 2 kids in college. The Vibe was very affordable...a little better than the TMV price and it has been fun to drive. My husband and son rode in the back on a recent trip. Both are at least 6 feet tall and had plenty of leg room. The acceleration has been fine...better than my van that has 4 cyl. Having Edmunds research was a blessing in assuring myself I had found a deal in the Vibe. I have the FWD automatic model.

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  Best Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By SpiritwindJ128 - November 25 - 10:00 am

  This is the best car I have ever owned,am very glad I decided on this!!

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  Love Supercharger - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By sigmatuan1989 - November 23 - 11:55 pm

  Left over 2006, bought with vendor pricing in 2007, traded in Bonneville. The price was the deciding factor, it was cheaper than all others. I would have bought another Bonneville but they were discontinued. The car is fast for the price. I would recommend simply on the low price. It has never left me stranded. Compared to Impala from the same factory it is lower to ground, faster, and less back seat room.