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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  I love this car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By pam - March 9 - 9:40 pm

  What sold me on this car was the hardtop convertable. It performs amazingly well for the price. It has great pick-up. I love the sporty look inside. It does look plasticy, vinyl inside the door instead of leather trim. But where they chose to cut corners in order to acheive the affordable price was right on. It rides smoothly. The retractable top is so cool. The only thing I dont like about it is you have to hold the button in until it is complete, and the placement of the button is overhead by the map light. So you have to hold your hand up. It would be much more comfortable if the had it by the gear shift. And there is absolutely NO trunk space when the top is down, minimal when it is up

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  love it - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Kathi - March 9 - 1:43 pm

  I have driven in the Ozarks and with all the hills and turns the Torrent handles the curves well!

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  pontiac is a good car - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By johnny22n - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I have had abosolutly a wonderful time owning this car. I have driven it cross counrty and taken it back and forth to work everday. After 135 thousand miles on the car not one major problem. If there are any flaws its minor electrical problems

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  2004 grand prix GTP CompG - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jason0214 - March 9 - 10:00 am

  I love this car it has more speed then my BMW 330i. I had bought it for my wife but now I gave her the BMW so I could have the CompG. If you buy this car I am sure you will be happy. GM did a great job talk about a car being REBORN.!!!!!

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  One of My Biggest Mistakes! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By LA - March 9 - 1:26 am

  I bought my car and not even two months later, "engine power reduced" appears after my engine light comes on. My engine power is reduced and I am at risk of getting hit on the highway and has to turn my car off just to get it going again. After $900, 7 times in the shop and not being able to drive it 9 out of 11 months, I still have the same problem. I have no more money to spend on it and after making my payments on it monthly for 12 months, I have stopped. I cant even trade it in because I owe too much on a piece of crap! It is about to ruin my credit by going back. WHAT A JOKE!! Never again will I buy from Budget Car Sales nor will I own a Pontiac. So sad.

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  Hate it! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By ejglady - March 8 - 3:50 pm

  The first time I saw an Aztek I knew that one day Id have one. When I was 7 months pregnant I decided to buy one so that Id have more room for the babys things. Id previously had a Plymouth Breeze. Lets say I should have kept my Breeze. I hadnt had the Aztek a year and I had put over 1,000 dollars worth of work into it. Not only does it feel like its not going to stop, sometimes I think it may tip over if the wind blows too hard. Now it takes an extra few seconds to start and it has stalled several times while in traffic. Plus, the back seat needs more room. If your over 4 feet tall getting in and out of the back seat is hell. Your feet get caught on the door frame.

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  the best little car ever - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By airgun25 - March 8 - 1:36 am

  This car has been the best economy car i have ever owned. It has the power the comfort and the looks. It is well built car and good on gas I have been getting almost 40miles to the gallon, great car for students and adults a like. If you are looking for a nice fuel economy car that has the power, comfort and looks this is the one I would choose.

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  G6 - myBest Pontiac yet!! - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By giarc4 - March 7 - 7:50 pm

  Handling is tremendous, the car really holds most any curve thrown at it. The 3.5L engine easily hits passing gear on the highway with respectable fuel economy. The passenger view from the backseat of this car should be that of a car twice it’s size. The G6 is flat out a GREAT PACKAGE.

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  Solstice - Great Design, Good Performnce - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Don R - March 7 - 7:06 pm

  This car is an excellent value. At about $23,000 loaded its got the looks, the performance and the styling that made GM great in the sixties and seventies. Its fun to drive. Excellent pick-up and acceleration. The steering is tight. Love the 18" wheels. At 63" tall, I was very comfortable in the drivers seat. Lots of room for a small car. Very little wind noise due to the aerodynamics of the hood, the higher door height, and the rear truck lid design. Top plus is the clamshell design of the rear trucklid. All controls are within easy reach with great visibility. Above average sound system with XM radio for the long trips.

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  One great car (3.4 L V-6 GT1) - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By OPstud326 - March 7 - 5:50 pm

  So I have to say this car rocks. I did a little modifying to the engine like put in a better air intake, put on high performance tires, and a different exhaust. The manual says that it started with 17 hp but with all my work it is probably around 225 hp now. I have ot say it is super fast. It is auto but when I drop it into first and work it like a stick I can pull a 5 second 0-60. My top end I actually beat a v8 camaro from 60-120. It is a great ride. The only complaint is in the manifold the gaskets keep breaking. They are cheap and plastic surrounded by metal so they will break in all of your cars promise. But take good care of ur car and I guarantee ur car will return the favor. Good buy