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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  Pretty Nice - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By bcr_88 - October 15 - 10:40 pm

  well i have this car for a few months now like half year and its been a pretty good car its very confortable and the interior i like it ...and has good fuel economy tooo

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  It Grows on you! - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Tejas Lady - October 15 - 10:00 am

  I was a little iffy on the looks of this thing but once you drive it, look at all the great features and really get to know it you grow to love it. This is perfect for our family of 5 the kids all feel in love with it, ages 17- 11. I really think it is 3 vehicles in one, a SUV, minivan, and a pickup truck. SO VERSATILE! It will grow on you.

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  Great Car!! - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By wild_166 - October 9 - 7:36 pm

  I got my car with 49,000 miles in 2003. It has been a great car. Yes I have had to do normal maintenance and a few extra but other then that It has done broke down on me. It now has 237,000 + miles on it and the fuel pump has finally died. Everyone about dies when I tell them its never been replace before now. The gas mileage is also great . The only downside is that brakes and rotors dont last long with the mileage I drive every year. Also If you buy one look under the spare trunk lid and see if it says NC1. I live in Indiana and my car has never been in CA and that is where it was built for so if you ever need to replace heads , and other parts you cannot buy them in other places in us.

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  Good, could be better - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By PGD - October 9 - 10:00 am

  I really like the car but I have had three trips back to the dealer for minor repairs: air bag recall, anti- freeze leak, trunk liner to back seat. All were fixed easily. My only real complaint is that a $30K car should not have any wind noise.

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  better than anticipated - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By hk - October 9 - 10:00 am

  the grand am is providing better performance and enjoyability than I had imagined- its acceleration is fairly peppy, cornering quite good, braking excellent and the ride is smooth for the cars size. Standard features are numerous as one would expect from a GM vehicle.

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  Solstice GXP love affair. - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By edgar robertson - October 9 - 5:33 am

  This car is very well received at any local show and shines, and parades, that I have entered it in. I have never found that lowering the top is a problem. And, I routinely complete the task, in 15 seconds. Raising it is only slightly more time consuming, requiring 28-30 seconds. The power window switches could have been better placed. I would have preferred wind up windows, and side pockets. The cup holders, I really could care less. A bigger trunk, would be a great help for weekend touring. But with some creative packing, two can go on a weekend cruise. I also, do not require A/C in a roadster, and would have appreciated the weight savings, and possible extra horse power. Stereo 1st class!

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  excellent - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By Wanda - October 6 - 8:00 am

  I have never had any problems. Always get the oil changed and car maintained at the given times. Fun car and I am sorry the car wont be made now in the following years. Good buy with fun results.

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  2009 Pontiac Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By DC - October 4 - 6:00 am

  Purchased this vehicle as part of a pull ahead deal on a 2007 Yukon. I plan on driving the car for 6 months and give it to my daughter for her birthday. Im 6-2, 250lbs and have plenty of head and shoulder room. Im looking forward to the gas mileage. The vehicle is quiet in the city but a little noisy on the highway. Well built and simple controls which I love. Great car if your in this price range. Dont expect much get up and go on the 1.8L.

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  2005 Aztek - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By Donna Wesse - October 4 - 1:53 am

  Fun to drive, fairly good on gas, good acceleration, very comfortable, plenty of storage room, extremely good looking layout of dash, especially at night.

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  I LOVE MY BONNEVILLE - 2003 Pontiac Bonneville
  By BEV12STER - October 2 - 2:00 am

  WE HAD A 1997 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX AND I WAS NOT SURE I WOULD REALLY LIKE A LARGER CAR LIKE THE BONNEVILLE BUT I HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH IT. THIS WAS MY HUSBANDS CHOICE AND I WAS VERY CAUTIOUS AT FIRST THINKING IT WAS SO MUCH WIDER THAN THE GRAND PRIX BUT THIS IS NOT TRUE. IT IS VERY CLOSE IN WIDTH. IM REALLY GLAD WE WENT AHEAD AND PURCHASED THE 2003 BONNEVILLE SSEI. ITS A REAL EYE CATCHER BEING A BEAUTIFUL BLACK CAR WITH THE CHROME WHEELS. IM REALLY HAPPY WITH IT.