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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  Missed Opportunity - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Brien - May 11 - 1:46 am

  If you like American muscle combined with sophisticated styling and handling, you should have purchased a new GTO. Ive had my manual six-speed for three years now and its been everything Id hoped. A bonus has been that I dont pass myself coming and going. The car is so rare that people often tell me mine is the first GTO theyve seen. Its been trouble free and its a kick to drive. I wouldnt sell mine but if you can find a used one, I recommend putting yourself in the drivers seat.

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  Still keeps on going - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By stillluvit - May 10 - 5:43 pm

  I bought mine new in 2006 with all options except AWD...didnt need it...had great tires...now it has 159000 miles and continues to be comfortable, quiet and great on gas...dont know where the naysayers got theres or how they drove it...if Pontiac still sold these, Id get one.

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  Fun to drive but - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Great car - May 9 - 4:20 am

  Bought this in 2008 with 135,000k on it, its now at 160,000. My only warning to anyone traveling on long trips is to keep a spare pulley tensioner and serpintine belt, because my bearing seized up and the plastic outer part kept spinning until it melted off ! once that goes you have no power steering, no charge to the battery,and no water pump spinning to keep engine cool, and in half an hour your battery is dead. Learned that the hard way. Other than that I love this car!

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  Just Bought it and LOVE IT! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pat - May 7 - 12:46 pm

  I hate to say it, but this one was somewhat of an unexpected, impulse buy. I looked at a Honda Accord at 8:30 this morning and was driving a Pontiac GXP off the lot by 12:30 this afternoon. There is just something about that throaty V8 and the wrap around cockpit that says "this feels right!" It has the clothes of a sports sedan, but is undoubtedly a legitimate muscle car. My advice is if youre going to buy an Accord, Maxima, or high- end Altima, dont test drive this car... youll never look back... Pat

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  My Fourth Bonneville - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Steve - May 7 - 5:06 am

  I purchased the GXP about 6 months ago and this is my 4th Bonneville and 6th Pontiac. This car is a blast to drive, looks and handles like a dream. The performance is very good (my other car is a Corvette, so I know a bit about performance) and braking is great for a car this size.

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  Fun Car To Drive - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Eric - May 7 - 3:50 am

  I bought this car in september 05 on the employee pricing program. I got rid of my Mustang for this car. Although this car doesnt feel as powerful as the mustang when accelerating, I find it way more fun to drive. It hugs corners very well, it has plenty of power, smooth comfy ride on the highway and a has way more interior room than the mustang. Also, as a bonus, this car should be much better for Canadian winter Driving! I love the interior, very sporty and modern. The seats are the most comfortable I have ever had. I am getting great fuel mileage, about 25mpg mixed driving. I have about 2500 Km on this car in just 3 weeks because I cant stop driving it! Great Car!

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  LUUUV this car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jeffjess214 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I am a busy mother of two extra large boys. One is 5 years old and 85 pounds the other 11 years old and 160.This car is fantastic ....I didnt want the regular old soccer mommobile....This car is spacious enough to fit our family and all there stuff.....The day we bought it we went to a home improvement store....no problems fitting our purchases in the vibe

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  OK CAR - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RANDY1 - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I SHOULD HAVE WAITED FOR MORE REBATES FOR THIS CAR.DOOR HANDLE PIECE FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING HOME. JUST FOUND A LEAK OF SOME SORT YESTERDAY.MY 92 GRAND AM HAS MORE POWER THIS CAR.FUEL ECONOMY HAS BEEN WORSE THAN I THOUGHT.GETTING IN AND OUT IS WORSE THAN MY OL GRAND AM TOO. BUT I DOO LIKE THE LOOKS OF THIS CAR, IT JUST ISNT WORTH WHAT I PAID FOR IT.

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  GT2 GREAT CAR UNDER $18K - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By SCHWEIZER - May 7 - 2:00 am

  I GOT SUCH A GREAT DEAL ON THIS CAR, I COULDNT PASS IT UP. REBATES, PREFERED SUPPLIER DISCOUNT, GM CARD POINTS, I GOT 29.6% OFF RETAIL. TEST DROVE THAT JAPANESE CRAP AND FOUND THIS VEHICLE TO BE BY FAR THE BEST FOR THE MONEY. THE 3.8 IS RATED AT 200HP BUT FEELS LIKE 230. YES, THE REAR SEAT IS FLAT AND NO CUP HOLDERS BUT THIS CAR ISNT DESIGNED TO BE A FAMILY TAXI! GET OVER IT! THE STYLING IS AWESOME!!

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  This car keeps on going!! - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By D. Stanhope - May 6 - 3:03 pm

  I bought this car at 147,000 miles and Ive put 61,000 miles on it and its only stopped me once, alternator! Yeah this bitch is a beast. These little motors from Chevy never last past 200k miles, but I can bet u that mine will go on to 300k easy. Great car, great gas mileage. The a/c still works, never been serviced, ever!