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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  Went Back and got another - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kdoyea - October 20 - 10:00 am

  I foolishly got rid of my 2000 red GT, when I wanted to go down a car, (we had too many). However we have gone back and got one now, 2 yrs later, in an awesome color they did not have on my 2000. POLO GREEN, it is gorgeous! However, I was a little bummed they changed the mirrors to be like the Aleros, ie: no vent thru, like the Grand Prixs, and they changed the side ribbing/cladding a little, but the new polished wheel style and monsoon system is great!

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  Fun to Drive and Practical - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By jackb - October 18 - 12:10 pm

  Bought only used 2009 Vibe GT I could find within 300 miles of Chgo. Got a good deal $18,800 less trade etc. Had 3400 miles on it. Have had it for a month now. One long trip to Nashville, 1000 Mi. Fun to drive, handles great, performance w/5 sp auto very good. Very useful cargo capacity. Interior nice upscale, except it could use a little more foot & leg room. Exterior styling more appealing than previous model Vibes. Looks good in Hot Red Metallic. Gas mileage could be better about 23-25 in city, on trip avgd. 27.5 mpg driving 75-85mph plus some city driving, AC on whole trip. Trade off for 2.4 perf., I guess. Wifes car mostly. Quality seems very good & so far very reliable.

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  4 door family vette - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By BobK - October 17 - 1:40 pm

  I had a Monte Carlo SS which was a great car but I really wanted a V8 sport sedan with rear wheel drive 4 doors and a generous trunk. When the G8- GT came out I waited until the 2009 model and purchased a GT with the sport package and the premium package. This car is everything that I wanted. Great looks. outstanding power, superb handling, exceptional braking, comfortable interior with plenty of room for everybody. I have the color Pacific Slate, which brings many compliments. This car is the best bang for the buck when you compare apples to apples. I am a strong supporter of GM and their products. My wife loves the on star system and the xm radio.

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  Now thats a Pontiac (excitement) - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By CPQNCSP - October 17 - 10:00 am

  Cadilac for a Pontiac price, All the features of the CAD STS. The STS is gone but the GTP is here. Nice job Pontiac. Driving is now a pleasure again

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  great little car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By gerry adams - October 17 - 10:00 am

  With the cost of fuel where it is, had to look for a vehile that got better milage than our 1996 Seville STS. And boy did we find one. Our 2003 Vibe has been a very, very plesent purchase. The milage is wonderful and the ride quite comfortable. The back seat has much more room than anticipated and the rear storage area is just what the doctor order. Have suggest this vehicle to friends and coworkers who are getting ready to purchase a vehicle. So far two friends have purchased a Vibe, and they are completely satisified.

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  Good for me! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Very Happy!! - October 17 - 7:10 am

  I have owned my car now for 5 years and I bought it with 60,000 miles on it. This is a very good running car and is great for the family. My car now has 196,000 miles on it and runs better than the day I bought it! For those who care the gas mileage is great as well as comfort and performance! I use castrol GTX high mileage and have since purchase. I think this may help with how well it still runs.But other than that the only thing that i have had a problem with is my back speakers, they only work when the car sits in the sun at about 80 degrees outside!!

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  Great Car at an Exceptional value - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Shane Tomlinson - October 16 - 9:06 pm

  Absolutely nothing negative. I think with quality like this the American Car perception is crazy. Anyone that thinks they can they can buy a better import is smoking crack. With a standard 5 year 60,000 mile powertrain warranty, 3 year 36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty makes for worry free driving.

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  White Aztec - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By bluewaves - October 16 - 8:53 pm

  Replaced rear hatch shocks, brake safety switch, front passenger side wheel axle, thermostat, rear defrost doesnt work and hatch is hard to close. Fixing things costs a lot of money because you have to go to a dealer. I was better off trading it.

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  Why Another Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Maryland - October 16 - 1:46 pm

  I wanted to add to a previous post that one of the reasons I chose a Pontiac is because I am still driving a 1992 Pontiac Transport. I turned 299,000 miles today and it is still running like new. The car has the original engine and has had no major engine work. I had the original transmission rebuilt at 284,000 miles. The overall maintenance costs have been extremely low. Who knows, I might get another 300,000 miles.

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  Luv it unless Im going up the hill - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By khokoomj - October 15 - 8:44 pm

  bought my car brand new Sept. 03, went to the dealershop and specifically told the salesman what kind of vehicle I wanted. I got a sporty looking orange vibe, I luv it unless I am going up the hill and it starts to power out and I have to shift down, great on prairie roads. Recently, there is a ticking sound and had it inspected & changed different things I have been told might be wrong with it, but the ticking is still there. A GM dealershop told me it might be the tranny but I have no problem shifting or anything like that or might be a rock inside the tranny, have had no other problems with it except its gutless. I have been told it might be the purge valve so I will change it