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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  2005 Pontiac GTO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Rick - May 29 - 3:46 am

  I ordered the 2005 GTO with all of the features seen on the new 2006 GTO. In addition I ordered the 18 inch factory wheels and tires. The car arrived in July 2005. I is the best handling most powerfull car that I have ever owned. I would strongly suggest that it is the most exciting car that one could purchase for the money. The interior is excellantly styled and comfortable. The seating is satisfactory for four adults.

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  Best of the Last - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Sport Red - May 28 - 12:10 pm

  GM has "mothballed" the Pontiac brand indefinitely, but too soon! The Pontiac G8 is the best car GM has produced in my lifetime, thats nearly 60 years, and from the looks of the near future offerings, it will be my whole lifetime! This car has great performance, outstanding styling, excellent build quality, and for a high HP V8, very acceptable fuel mileage. If you want one of your own, you best hurray! Even thou Pontiac will be around until the end of 10, the G8s will be gone long before that!

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  2007 Vibe: a GREAT car! - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By Commonsense - May 28 - 5:16 am

  I get better than 35 mpg in combined driving, most of it during rush hour. When traffic cooperates, I get better than 38 mpg. This car has lots of cargo space with the back seats folded down. Its made in America, costs less, is at least as reliable (no problems so far), and gets better mileage than the competing imports

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  just buy one - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GPlover - May 27 - 6:20 pm

  My car was given to me by my father, bought it off his friend for a hundred bucks. Guy who owned it before us drove it like a race car. got car at 150,000 miles. blew motor up at 200,000 miles, within those 50,000 miles, i had two window switches go out, a water pump, intake manifold, a tension pulley, and the tranny would just sometimes for some reason switch itself into neutral. and of course, the big bang at the end at exactly 199,987 miles, no kidding, loved the car while i had it, drove great, smashed all my friends little four bangers, and everytime it broke down it was always a block from home and i just coasted in the drive way, i just bought a gtp, everyone needs to own these cars

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  Its a commuter car... - 2009 Pontiac G5
  By ed - May 26 - 7:53 am

  Ive had this car for about a month. I love the so-so reviews on this. It keeps demand low and prices. Im very familar with the 2.2 - same engine I had in my 04 Grand Am and loved it. No problems great mileage - good power too. This time I went for MPG with the XFE and the 5 speed. Without any effort I got 35mpg on my first tank of combind city and highway. Its just a good commuter car. Not a sports car (I have the Miata for that) and not a lux car. With incentive and rebates about 5k lower in price than comparably equiped Honda and Toyota. AS far as resale - drive it. The sale of Grand Am brought half of what I paid with 75k on the clock - not bad for having the better half of its life..

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  The most beast for the buck - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TopCop35 - May 26 - 6:33 am

  After my 2003 GTP, there were some big shoes to fill. I do miss the whine of the supercharger lighting up, but the throaty rumble of the exhaust is a nice replacement. The acceleration is smooth and fluent, cornering is a breeze, love the new HUD, and DIC with variable component monitoring. All in all, this car has rocked my socks off and the looks, honks, and thumbs up from other drivers are a sure sign of true appreciation. Shes a beautiful beast that looks sophisticated and menacing at the same time with hidden power galore. This definitely isnt your fathers sports sedan ;)

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  acceleration - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By leonard shoemaker - May 25 - 3:53 pm

  must be careful when starting from a dead stop. with front end being so light, car has tendency to lose traction. must watch when on stones, dirt or wet road.

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  Goat Junk - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By mbarilla - May 25 - 1:40 pm

  Too many initial problems: 1) Blemishes in paint 2) Lights misaligned 3) Gear shift knob rattles 4) Needs New rear end after 1500 miles 5) Weatherstrip not attached to door Also, the car is not fun to drive for a performance car. It handles like a very heavy car. Too much plowing into corners. This has to be the worst new car I have ever owned in initial quality.

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  so far so good - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By gt lover - May 25 - 2:00 am

  the fuel pump went day 9 master cylender went day 60 a replaced by dealer warrenty at a cost of $1700 other than that it has been a good car 27mpg 32mpg

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  Bonneville By Chance - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By sandwedge - May 25 - 2:00 am

  I was looking for a Grand Am or Grand Prix and came out with a Bonneville. The bonny was very sporty looking, and had all the options I wanted. No major problems. Very good car.