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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  Fun for a few weeks... - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By RANZ - March 6 - 8:40 am

  Its easy to be drawn in by the sexy stance, the leather, moonroof and the 17 in. wheels that the GT has to offer. However, once you get past the vroom vroom shiny red race car surface stuff, the disgraceful fuel economy alone is enough to make you list it for sale after a month. Excessive road noise is even worse with the sunroof shade open. The interior especially the headliner feels cheap, even tacky after the new car smell wears off. The worse paint Ive ever seen - there seems to be no topcoat or clearcoat as there are hundreds of chips down to the metal after 22k miles. Not worth the ins. and payment. Im going to get a Honda or Toyota which might seem boring but definitely smarter.

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  Great Little car - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Herb - March 5 - 3:43 am

  Got 30 mpg on the first tank and looking for better as I break it in. Fun to drive and handles great on the Highway. Engine performs very well ( Heck.... its a Toyota ) Not a complaint yet. Love passing up gas stations.

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  formula review - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By SunsetHawkSelena - March 5 - 2:00 am

  comfortable, 29mpg on the highway with a 6speed, faster than most anything on the road, a real looker

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  The Grand Am GT is AWESOME!! - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Tweety - March 5 - 2:00 am

  This vehicle drives like a dream. Its very easy to handle.

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  Wheres the quality? - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Fozman - March 4 - 3:50 pm

  This car has been nothing but a pain since I bought it. Ive had to replace 2 window motors, a transmission (100,000 miles), blower control module, blower motor, stabilizer bar, and now the CV joints are going bad. When it rains hard you get water the car and trunk. Almost impossible to change the spark plugs yourself. Interior components are cheaply made and designed. The gas mileage is unimpressive. The front doors have started to rub the fender when you open them!! I find it disturbing when i go tot he junkyard to get parts that theres an abundance of Grand Prix to get parts off of. I will never buy another GM product.

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  96 Grand Am disappointing - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Ken Stufflebeam - March 4 - 1:33 am

  I bought this car for my teenage sons to drive, 98k, SE model, 4-door, 4 cyl, auto. Thought it would be economical and practical transportation. Trans failed at 108k, no heater now - core failure, many repairs required, gas mileage not great for a 4 cyl, 21 city 26 hwy, squeeks, creaks, rattles. In all fairness it was worn out when I got it and you get what you pay for.

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  Not much to complain about - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By aaronstoke - March 3 - 10:00 am

  Ive had my GTO for a little over a month now and have read a lot of reviews. Its discouraging to read many of consumers negative low-blows to this GTO, but then again, I have seen just as many positives from people that actually own them. Everyone has an opinion... I am sufficiently satisfied with my GTO. Performance- wise...couldnt ask for more. Exterior, I could agree that more could have been done, but then again, if GM built the car to have louvers, scoops, vents...etc then what would car owners get to add?? I look at my GTO as a blank canvas for me to custom. GM did the hard part by installing a killer interior with performance that sends riders to the chiropractor.

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  Sweet Car! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ScottB305001 - March 3 - 10:00 am

  The car is fun to drive and it gets alot of looks from the ladies.

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  Great Family Van - 2003 Pontiac Montana
  By DRP - March 3 - 10:00 am

  We have had the van two years now and put nearly 40,000 miles on it. It is comfortable for our family of five and is also economical to operate. Fuel economy is about 17/24, City/Highway. I have not had problems with any of the major systems. The following were fixed under warranty: Back up sensors in rear bumber, one heated seat element,cover for garage door opener in console(twice). Most of this was fixed while I was in for an oil change and was not terribly inconvienent. I have used a Thule storage box mounted to the roof racks on several occasions with no problems or discernable loss of mileage or handling. This car has met my expectations of GM quality and value

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  Enjoying New Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By JohnV - March 3 - 4:36 am

  I wasnt interested in an SUV until I test drove a Torrent. I was very impressed on how it handled,and how enjoyable it was to drive. The interior also caught my eye with the great amount of leg room in the back.