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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  very safe! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By nash - April 13 - 12:43 pm

  it is a very safe car i recently got into a accident with the vehicle and i walked out without a scratch i hit a duelley on the highway going about 60 he was completly stopped on the highway. 13,900 in damages and they didnt total it out. they fixed it and since then it has run great absolutely no problems. although i hate the dash lights go on and off. plus i find the car to have a very harsh ride. overall my rating for this car is above average.

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  Jeffs 6 year itch - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Jeffs 6 year itch - March 22 - 11:40 pm

  New 2 year old with 32k in 2002. 2 mnths later trans went. Dealer replaced at their cost, but forgot a few bolts during the repair. Yup fluids all over the engine and driveway. Rear window came off the track 2xs. Sunroof was completely replaced(glass and all) because of wind noise. Wonderful steering noise started just after 39k miles(sorry warranty done). After that my ignition key doesnt always want to turn (happens to both of my keys), and leaves the million dollar question- will it start today. 2 alternators later and 4 weeks after the last one car died again. To make if even better it was on my Birth Day (9/16). I only have 57k miles on a 6yr old car-why I ask do I have so many issues.

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  repairs begin - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Ronzo - March 19 - 3:46 pm

  At 86,000 km about 55,000 mi. the "big money repairs" have begun. A front wheel bearing at over $500! If I had known that the 07s had a 100,000 mile drive train warranty instead of 36,000, I would have bought a year newer-it was the end of the 06 model year anyway! Well, only 2 more years until it is paid for!

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  Hunk o Junk - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By yoodle - March 18 - 10:00 am

  In the year that Ive had this car it has been nothing but problems. There is a consistent problem with the steering that three trips to the mechanic have not fixed. I am aware of the recall, but even after my mechnic replaced the entire power steering rack, the problems persist. Things seem to have improved after the struts and a tie rod were replaced though. I also had the fuel pump go, and now there is a stuttering when Im accelerating that seems to indicate a transmission problem. At just over 50000 miles, this car has spent way too much time in the shop. Im staying away from Pontiacs in the future.

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  maybe I can make lemonade - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By lemon owner - March 7 - 2:00 am

  loved the looks and fun to drive when its driveable. Owned one year repaired wiper motor twice, battery, alternator, replaced the steering rack, brakes and rotors twice, oil leak, park interlock on shifter broken replaced once now needs a new shifter. a/c stopped working, so far in one year we have spent over $3,ooo on repairs and now are having transmission problems.

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  Pontiac power windows, UGH. - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Cal - March 6 - 9:50 am

  I have had a truly horrible experience with the power windows. To date I have had 2 switches 4 regulator/motors replaced. Thats 6 and I only have 4 windows. And, this all occurred within 75,000 miles.

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  A Big Mistake - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By samstinks - March 5 - 2:40 am

  My husband and I shopped and shopped before deciding to buy this car and despite our careful planning, we made a poor decision. At 20k, I had to have it towed due to a malfunctioning anti- theft device that cut the fuel after 10 seconds. That, at least was under warranty. At 25k, I had to replace my front wheel bearings; a $500 repair. At 56k, both my intake manifold gaskets blew out - $700. Six months later, my head gaskets are blown and the heads possibly damaged from the heat. I commute 25 miles one way to work in it every day, and have had only dealer repairs on it. Ive taken care of this car by the book, but it is a horrible car and I cant wait to trade it in.

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  driver and passenger comfort - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By adm - February 26 - 2:00 am

  The split bench seat is worthless due to console design. With the drivers seat up and forward you can hardly get in and out of the car. In general leg room is not what you would expect in a full size car. You get as much out of a Grand Prix

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  1999 grand am - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By rob foley - February 15 - 6:23 am

  i drive 50000kms/30000miles a year, front brakes need to be changed every year, pads and rotors, car is nice to look at fun to drive but gets very expensive to keep up with, head gaskets, engine service light that can come on for one of a thousand reasons, (i got to ignore it) would be a great car if just a little more quality parts were used. try to change the spark plugs yourself haha. remove engine and change. but after 6 years and 302 thousand kms (180,000miles) the car finally became to costly and unreliable, traded for a jetta

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  Just traded mine in!! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Doll - February 10 - 4:53 pm

  After 5 years of having constant problems with this car, I finally got rid of it. Dont get me wrong Looks great,fun to drive, hauls butt when you need it to get up & go. But I hope you have alot of $$ to keep up the constant little things that go wrong with this car. The radio was bad from the get go & I puchased the upgrade. They replaced twice still went bad I gave up. My power seat I paid extra for didnt work after the first year. Brakes constant & They rub really bad. Intake manifold $700.00 bucks atlike 50,000 miles,allternator,temperature gauge, one of my fuel injectors went bad & started mis firing $1200.00. I finally got rid of it. It only had 87,000 miles on it. Beware of This Car!