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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  Good Little Car - 97 Coupe SE - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By zippy_zion - April 20 - 11:06 pm

  This is a great little car. I was supprised initally by its good gas mileage and even more by its power. Ive only had two problems with it that were easy fixes. 1. The valve cover had a loose bolt and leaked oil 2. I had a leak in my trunk Neither caused any long term problems and didnt cause any ill performance. I have since added a front strut tower bar to help my handling. Im thinking of modifying it further but am reluctant because there is really nothing "wrong" with it; I just want more.

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  =) - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Blair - April 20 - 9:56 pm

  i think the car is great you just need to take car of it and not beat it up! i have hed it for 46,000 miles and it runs like brand new and still looks great.. and knock on wood has never been in the shop for anything but rutien oil changes

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  Not as bad as I first thought - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Green Meanie - April 20 - 1:30 pm

  I bought this car in February 2008. At first it was in the shop monthly for various electrical problems. We finally found that it was an O2 sensor. Now that its fixed the car is much better. The looks are great and the performance is even better. This is a very fun car to drive and you will get compliments on how nice it looks. I have the GT coupe with heated leather seats, a welcome amenity in the winter. It is a very fast little car hindered some by the TCS (Traction Control System). Other than that, though, If you are tired of Civics passing American cars, buy this car! It can smoke a V8 Chevy truck. It is also pretty comfortable considering the small exterior stature.

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  FIRST SUV - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By CCDE - April 20 - 10:00 am

  MY HUSBAND HAS BACK TOUBLE AND IT IS SO MUCH BETTER FOR HIM TO GET IN THIS VEHICLE, WE ARE NOT SITTING IN THE CAR 10 MINUTES BEFORE WE CAN WALK INTO A STORE AND HE HAS NOT HAD TO PREMEDICATE BEFORE WE GO ON CAR RIDES.....MY 13YEAR OLD ANC FIT HIS SIZE 13 FEET IN THE BACK SEAT AND I DON T HAVE TO FEEL HSI KNEES IN MY BACK ANYMORE

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  Nice - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By fp6715 - April 20 - 10:00 am

  This is my second Grand Prix. I love the GTP it has the extra power I need. I would have liked to seen a bigger glove box and the rear view mirror should have the glare reducer with temp and direction.

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  2001 Pontiac Montana - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By jwhub88 - April 20 - 6:20 am

  We love this van. The seats are very comfortable, and the folding 3rd seat is a must. Traction control and ABS help in the winters of northern Michigan. The sporty exteroir disign is a plus. Love the interior. Has held up well to the kids. Power is good not great. I pull a camper all summer easily. Would like engine and trans. to be more reliable. Lower intake gaskets and head gaskets are a cronic problem. Also the trans. will go bad on 99% of these vans. Also love the red interior dash lighting. Bought van with 75,000 now have 130,000. Rebuilt trans. around 115,000. Otherwise routine maintenance. Runs great, rides great, drives great

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  What has happened to Pontiac? - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Goonboy2 - April 20 - 5:53 am

  I have owned the last three versions of the Grand Prix and each one has become more technologically advanced and stylish than the last while build quality and interior design has become progressively inferior. My 2007 Grand Prix pales in comparison to the interior design and materials in my 2000. Mesh-like headliner and sun visor material scream "cheap." The plastic interior pieces are visually and physically "hard". The carpet is coarse and the leather doesnt even smell like leather. Heck, Im a Grand Prix lover and Im embarassed for GM. It would seem that the Grand Prix has been allowed to suffer the same agonizing death as its Pontiac brothers. Sorry GM, my next car will be Japanese.

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  excellent - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By shewolf - April 18 - 11:13 am

  This vehicle is highly recommended. I love my new car rides smooth handles great and plenty of room for the kids and I on our shopping adventures . Great on gas mileage. Im getting 35mpg. Inexpensive also. Everyone looking to buy a new vechile should definitely test drive this car.

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  Nice Looking ride, but.... - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Patrick McCormick - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Have had the sled in for more than a few issues. Noise in power steering seems to be most persistant problem. Also, driver side window stripping comes loose all the time. Great "spunk" for the money, lots-o-fun to drive, good power, like the exterior styling - but, Ive had some issues...

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  This car is the fwd car Ive ever onwed! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Chris Circe - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Let me start by saying, I LOVE THIS CAR! This car is great. I have had no problems with it. Its only been in the shop for a scheduled oil change. I just love the design of the car. The aggresive look, and the torquey Ram Air V6. If you are loking in to buying this car, you must. It will be the best money you will ever spend on a car. If you do by get the GT.