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:

• 

  very nice ride - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By andy - September 7 - 11:46 pm

  this car has been excellent only thing we have had to replace is a blower motor total cost for parts and labor was $220.00. We have 68k on it with still the original brake pads all the way around and its excellent in ther snow. Would recommend to anyone.

• 

  Red Bird has landed! - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By MsKnightRider - September 7 - 9:56 pm

  Im an avid GM/Chevy girl. Ive had an 86 Firebird for 5 yrs now but when it needed too many repairs all at once, my hubby convinced me we needed a new car. I didnt want a new one, I loved the 86. Im so glad I gave in.I bought my Fire Engine Red Firebird WS6 pkg used w/39k miles on it and in mint condition. I couldnt believe how perfect this car was. I am a true muscle car lover and this car is awesome. Sadly I was rearended and the frame was bent so the insurance co. totaled it out. It is a very safe car but body repairs are expensive. I never got to take it to the track but next time I will! My hubby promised me another one so I am on the look out for another one, red w/ blk lthr #2.

• 

  Been nothing but a headache - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By georgiamarie - September 7 - 12:40 am

  I love the exterior design. I have had a lot of complements. What a cute car it is. Nice looking car. I agree. I am not happy at all with the problems I have had. It started 9 months after I bought the car. The sun roof leaked. It had to be completely replaced. The battery post broke. The radio system has been replaced twice because it kept shorting out. The brakes were worn out long before they should have. At the same time the front struts had to be replaced. All of this happened within the first three years. The problems have just kept coming. I expect these things to happen as the car gets older not when the car is brand new! I think this car was made on a Monday or Friday!

• 

  edmunds doesnt do this car justice! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By aztekfan - September 6 - 2:00 am

  I love this SRV. My teen daughters friends say its a "luxury vehicle". We sprung for all the amenities and it was worth it. I love the look on peoples faces when they see me driving it. It isnt ugly, just different! It also has saved me from many an accident due due the traction control. We have been everywhere with it, including the mountains in a snowstorm. We did have a problem with it (first year model!!) and it took forever to get the car back - I missed it so much! Were buying the 2004 next month!!!!!!!!!!!!

• 

  awesome!!! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By krssgto - September 6 - 2:00 am

  At first I thought it was a Grand AM on steroids, but after looking over the car from the engine to the detail of the interior, this car is absoulutely beautiful. At the turn of the key, you know you have a great thing. The way the engine growls and the power to force you back into your seat is a very welcomed feeling. Thank you for such a great car. Also, thank you for making them affordable because I now have one and absolutely love it!!!

• 

  Blind as a bat!! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By daicom - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Geesh!! whats up with the new azteks and their one color design? all of the 2002 have the same plasta clad as the 2001 models but poorly painted to mask the cladding, thats what happens when you paint over textured plastic, so to all of you 2002 owners, yes your pontiac aztek has plastic cladding under the less than desirable bumpy finish, oh minus a few lines, but its still there. No brain surgeon needed to figure that out.

• 

  Very happy - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By TPATT - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Overall weve been very happy with the Montana. Fun to drive and hauls a lot of people/cargo.

• 

  LOVE THIS CAR!!! - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By dee527 - September 5 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely a blast to cruise around in. I got mine with the Sun & Sound Package... Wish I wouldve got the GT but the SE Coupe is just as nice--peppy engine not race car. Perfect for high school, college and other 20- somethings...

• 

  The best car I have ever owned - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By AmynRyan - September 5 - 10:00 am

  We just recently bought a 1999 Grand Am SE. The performance of the 3.4 liter V- 6 engine is phenomenal! The sporty look, and feel of the Grand Am is perfect as well. It handles exceptionally well, and taking corners at higher rates of speed is as easy as blinking your eyes. But the Grand Am doesnt stop there. The ETS system makes the Grand Am an even better car to drive. For those tough steep grades, or snow and ice covered roads, youll be thankful that the Grand Am has incorporated such a valuable asset! I have never been happier with this car, and I am a proud owner of a Pontiac!

• 

  Really? - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Spare Me - September 4 - 10:00 am

  Absolutely LOVE this car. It is big, fast, comfortable, solid, safe, fast, and fast. I went with White Hot with the red/onyx leather package. I cant decide if I like the inside or the outside more. We have our first baby on the way and I wanted a big 4 door sedan. Test drove a new Maxima and 300 C. Both nice cars, but the Maxi is front-wheel drive, and the 300 looks like a rental. The G8 outperforms and is unique...especially since Pontiac is history. Like so many other reviewers have said, get one while you still can. The back seat is comfy and roomy enough for adults. I cant wait to take this car a a nice long road trip.