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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  Dont Buy One! - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Goodbye Pontiac - November 2 - 12:43 am

  I have been buying Pontiacs for many many years, I am so disappointed with this product, I will probably not buy another. I will be saying hello to Ford again. The seats water stain and I am talking one trip to the pool and your seats will be a mess and take many many hours of work. I even had the dealership steam them and that didnt work. I scrubbed and scrubbed and had to saturate the whole seats to get them decent. Next time to pool, they did it all over again. They knew this and continue to use this material. If it doesnt have leather seats, dont even think about it, you will be as sorry as I am. Cant wait till it is time to trade. Emailed a complaint and no results.

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  Refreshing Driver - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rick - November 1 - 10:26 am

  We bought the Vibe and went from the panhandle of FL to PA non stop, and at 6 and 275lbs and a bad back I knew I was inviting trouble. Not at all! Got out of the car and felt great. Turned around and drove back to FL and then to IL. Seat adjustments are great! 30 mpg at 75 mph and much better in town. Traded in a 97 Grand Prix and although I miss the HP of the V6 this is not bad in town. On the highway it needs additional spunk. When in cruise it continually wants to downshift to go over the overpasses, so I disengage the cruise and manually feed it the gas before I get to the hill. Lots of standard options. Good feel and versatile. We tinted the windows though.

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  2004 Pontiac Grand Prix - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Carrie Ontiveros - October 31 - 3:46 pm

  Having previously owned a 2002 Grand Prix, which was totaled in an accident, I sought another Grand Prix. I enjoy driving this car due to the quick pick up and go and the comfortableness of the seats. The interior is much sportier and appealing. Although I do prefer the 2002 exterior better. This car looks very sporty and drives very nicely.

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  160,000 miles traded - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By 160,000 MIles Traded - October 31 - 12:33 pm

  Well we got over 160,000 miles out of the van. For the most part it has been fairly reliable, but it has many major design flaws that result in failures that you will have to fix (valve seal gaskets - $800 to $1,000; Front wheel bearings - $600; Transmission - $1500 TO $2000). The radio lights and gas gauge have not worked for years. We got $1250 for a trade-in, so if you buy one, you should plan on driving it into the ground.

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  My Tinker Toy - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By RobinDeVerna - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Love it.......Drove it from Ohio to Florida and it rode as good as my old Grand Marquis....and a lot cheaper on gas.

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  2003 VIBE - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By PatJack - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Used as a once a week commuter averaging 300 miles R/T,as well as in- town use. Great mileage,bulk load carrying, handling, comfort.

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  A good car - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By coolkev - October 31 - 10:00 am

  this is the seecond grand prix I owned (prior 97 gt). The gtp is a big upgrade from the gt. I really enjoy the extra power this car has. It is also very roomy as well.

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  137,000+ and counting - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By LoveMyGP - October 31 - 10:00 am

  I bought this car 2 weeks after it was released. While I have had my share of problems, I think that this is my favorite vehicle ever. New cam shaft needed at 105,000. Small piece broke off. After minor overhaul, run as good as ever. My advice is to always keep up on the oil changes. Exterior finish still shines like new. I still get 30mpg on the highway at 65-70mph.

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  No Jive in my Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By SoCal Greg - October 31 - 10:00 am

  Fell in love with the Vibe AWD in the showroom. Bought it after a test drive and have had no regrets. Its a head turner and generates considerable comments from people in parking lots who want to know more about it. Forget the PT Cruiser - the Vibe is whats happening! Seats are a little uncomfortable on long trips but otherwise its ideal for us.

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  Miss My Baby - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By AutumnEliza - October 31 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a dream to own! I bought this used in the end of 2000 and have had NO problems with it. The interior was so comfortable, the drive so wonderful, I am having the hardest time finding another car to compare. Visibility is great in this car with oversized side-view mirrors and for a 4 cylinder, boy does this car have pep! You dont even need the V6.