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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  WORST CAR EVER - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By jpontiac - November 8 - 10:48 am

  This is by far the worst car I have ever owned, It sits so low to the ground, in the front it has rusted out all over the wheel wells, and the underneathe, even after washing it once a week in the winter. I have had to replace, exhaust, cat, brakes, rotors, plugs, tires. Its not secure when I drive on dirt roads the dust and dirt comes right into the trunk. Very poor quality and the speakers sound awful

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  Yikes, hang on - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Neild17 - November 7 - 10:00 am

  WS6! Fast, fast, fast! Although I wish I had gotten the 6-speed manual. Micro racers will stall their cars at the light to keep from racing. But, mechanically, this one has been a nightmare. Replaced rear axles at 60,000, headlights constantly were being worked on, most inside lighting has already burned out or has been replaced, stiff ride which if not carefully lifts the rear wheels with the slightest bump - potential severe axle and diff damage if racing on bumpy road. Love the car, but wish Pontiac had done a little more homework on practicality and repair frequency.

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  2000 Granda Am Gt 4 Door - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Rnimrick - November 7 - 10:00 am

  Hardly ever had any major problems,Replaced Front Brake Calipers, Intake Gasket. Would purchase another one.

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  Great looking..big problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Carli - November 7 - 5:53 am

  I love driving this car yet have had many large problems with it. I have heard that Ponitac Grand Ams and Prix tend to have a lot of electrical problems, yet mine had many more than that. Six months into having the vehicle I needed to replace my power steering pump. I just replaced a fuel pump and a day later needed a new intake manifold gasket because my antifreeze was leaking (about a gallon or two a day). The fuel pump caused a lot of problems because my car continued to break down yet mechanics found nothing wrong several times. I have put as much money into fixing my car as I did buying it, and I still need new antilock brakes.I would suggest buying a newer year or different vehicle.

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  Exceeds My Expectations - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Danny - November 6 - 12:56 pm

  This car exceeds all of the expectations I had for a new car. Fun to drive, good on gas and a definite head-turner on the road. The only drawback I have found is the dark interior which gets very hot in the warm months. The XM Radio is a decided plus.

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  So far, so good - 2008 Pontiac Torrent
  By Steve A. - November 6 - 6:40 am

  Four months, 7,000 miles (about 70/30 highway/local) 22.7 mpg, same as my 02 Santa Fe 4cyl, but much peppier and roomier. This SUV is fun to drive, has enough horsepower to carry 4 good size (and then some) people without dragging its feet, and handles very well. Even though it has lots of room inside, its not a huge land barge like the Escalade. My friend bought a Ford Explorer and his 15 mpg is killing him. Ive always had good luck with Pontiacs, and this looks like another winner.

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  Wow - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By TALL PAUL - November 5 - 11:10 am

  Not since my 1968 GTO & 1970 muscle cars has driving an affordably priced vehicle been so much fun. Only enhancement wish would be if it were available as a convertible. Stereo speakers/amplifiers could use an upgrade but otherwise this car is so comfortable, even for a tall & big guy that the only other dream wish would be to drive my new "muscle car" on Germanys Autoban.

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  Disappointed they dont make em no more - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Aztec Fan - November 4 - 11:03 pm

  I love my car! it is roomy and comfortable. gas mileage is considerable. i love that it is different. i would rather stick out with my "ugly" "garbage truck lookin thing" than not be noticed! i love that it has several cigarette lighters. the windows that go all the way down in the backseat are great. i love having all the extra cargo room in the back. i drove it from california to michigan and not a complaint about the comfort. i think the acceleration is pretty good. i used to have a jeep wrangler that was slow as molasses. i love that i dont have to get an oil change every 3K miles. my car tells me when it wants one. i wish they would make these still.

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  so far so good - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By anasanchez - November 3 - 10:10 pm

  I just bought my g6 this past Saturday so far so good, it has a smooth drive nice simple basic interior the chrome makes that basic interior look good i can fit my two car seats in the back with room for one person to fit (skinny) the trunk looks small but my massage table fits in the trunk perfect.The seats are comfy and I like how it tells me how much mileage Im getting from a full tank on the radio.

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  Great gas mileage - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By David - November 2 - 3:30 pm

  Fantastic car its comfortable just depending on what day it is some days its great others not so great i recently went on a 375 mile trip got fantastic mpgs epa estimated is only 30 highway and everyone seems to get it so i was very very happy when i got and average of 36.7 mpg which is fantastic for a car of that size and no i wasnt drive 55 like grandma i ran 80 - 85 mph the whole way and i had to slow down for construction then speed back up so it surprised the sh*t out of me when it got that good so far the only problem clunking noise from front driver side which is a known problem and i know what it is and GM updated the part in 2009 so in a G6 = fantastic you gotta get on