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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  Montana - 2000 Pontiac Montana
  By tricanis - April 15 - 12:20 am

  A shame that GM cannot make a more reliable vehicle! This would have been a great vehicle had we not had to take it to the service department once every other month. On average for 7 years of ownership I spent $650 per year out of pocket in repair costs. I had over $ 4500 in receipts that I turned in when I got ride of the montana. Yes....We purchased a Odyssey.

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  2009 Base 2.4 w/5sp auto, 80K Miles so far - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By abramsgunner - April 14 - 10:48 pm

  Bought new in July of 09. Base model with 2.4L/5sp-auto, PS,PL,cruise, keyless. Now pushing 80K miles with few issues. On my second set of tires and brakes. My steering column rattles (very common), cold starts sometime produce a timing cam rattle (common) and the paint chips and scratches easily (common). Fully loaded with family of 4 + gear on trip to Tenn. got me just shy of 32mpg. Even with my heavy foot, I still avg. 28mpg in daily mixed driving. Great fun to drive. Does everything I need. Was cheap to buy and maintain. Sharp little car. I have truly enjoyed it. I just added a K&N CAI and she sounds great, any mpg increase will be a bonus.

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  Baby Boomer Therapy - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Pushing50 - April 12 - 9:46 am

  What a great machine to slip into retirement with! I traded in my GTP which was fun, but this WS6 is beyond belief for great driving - even in city traffic. Had to have the TransAm to save as a collectors item. Sorry that this is the end of the Firebird line.

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  sheila - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By larry jr - April 12 - 2:00 am

  very stylish and reliable. if i had to but one again, id buy the gtp model. one of the downfalls of this car is getting stuck in the snow.

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  Great Choice - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By davyjones - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Ive been more than pleased with my Aztej SRV or SUV choice. Its visually different, and when I spot another I want to stop the driver and form a club -- but then the Azteks relative rarity is other peoples loss. Its a great car with excellent handling, wonderful acoustics, exceptional sound systems, well furnished interior, and outstanding features overall.

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  Ive owned 4 TransSports & Montanas! - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By crs2 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  Drives well, good milage. My 2001 gets 21mpg, yet my 1996 TransSport gets 25mpg in urban driving. Very comfortable, but devalues quickly, especially if your Montana gets totaled. MY STRONGEST ADVICE is to get what is called "gap insurance" which will cover any delta there is between what you get from the insurance company and what you still owe!

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  best - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 22 - April 12 - 2:00 am

  this is my favorite car because of its engine. its also a nice cruising vehicle.

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  G6 Review - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By N Knutsen - April 11 - 3:00 am

  The car is well built. The GPT model has hydraulic power steering, and has good response. The back seats are serviceable, but you really dont want to put your best friends in them for a long period of time.

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  great car - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tim - April 9 - 5:03 pm

  i bought this car with 6000 miles on it in 2000 and i have never hade any problems with this grand am i drive about an hour somedays to work and its very comfortable for me very easy to us all function in the car. i also have a 2004 ford explorer and rather drive the grand instead of that.

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  GRAND PRIX GIVES YOU EXCITEMENT! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By KEVIN PARKER - April 8 - 3:40 pm

  The 3.8L V-6s 205 Horsepower gives true excitement to this sporty mid-size sedan. The low end torque moves the Grand Prix across intersections with tremendous authority, leaving most cars behind! Most passengers ask if I have the supercharged V-6 that comes in the pricier GTP. Fuel economy averages 28 miles per gallon with highway trips averaging well over 30 miles per gallon! The front bucket seats are very supportive and hold your body in place when taking avantage of the twisty road ahead of you. The back seat offers above average passenger comfort and handles the child safety seat just fine. Pontiac has lived up to its reputation of excitement with this new Grand Prix as well as value!