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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  WOW this ROCKS!!! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Bobby G - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I only test drove this SUV because it was on the same lot a Jeep Liberty. The AzteK blow it away on all accounts. It better at the gas pump and is more fun to drive. I got the FWD but should have gone to the AWD.

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  Diamond in the Rough - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By BachStrad111 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I find it to be a good bang for your buck. Its rooming,inexpensive,and all around joy to drive. I find the visability questionable other than that I would find it hard to find a better cargo carry ride on the market.

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  kennedys 1999 pontiac - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kennedycar1964 - December 30 - 10:00 am

  i have had an excellent experience with this car. itis sporty, fun to drive and gets you where you are going without the worry of it breaking down. i have had to do brake work on it but it was a lease return and they needed repaired from the previous owner

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  Good Car overall - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By johnA - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I have a few small and easy fixible problems. It lasted me good through the slamming i put it through. I would think about getting a newer one.

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  love it - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jaypf - December 30 - 10:00 am

  I love it, fun to drive, great on gas,what else to say, for the money I am happy, and I love to drive my new car.

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  Sweet ride - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Great car so far ! - December 29 - 9:26 am

  I just bought this car and totally love it. Great pick up, smooth ride and pretty damn quiet for a pretty big 6. Love all the features,sunroof, power everything and seat warmer to keep me warm in the winter.

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  Room to Spare-Love it! - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Laura Ogren - December 28 - 7:16 pm

  I love my Vibe. The drop down seat and cargo capacity is wonderful and leaves people asking "What kind of car it this?" It handled extremely well last year in the Denver snowstorms and never got stuck. The fuel economy is great - I am getting about 32 miles per gallon highway. The overdrive is also great and the car is comfortable.

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  Great car! But - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Robert - December 28 - 10:00 am

  This was my first real car and I absolutely loved it! The car was great in the snow, handled the highway very well and looked so good on the outside that an additional custom paint job on the hood had passers by turning their heads and giving thumbs up! The GT version is not overly common and I enjoyed having a car that separated me from the cars that my friends drove around.

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  Too Good to Lose - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By GTOgirl - December 26 - 8:43 am

  Bought this beast in Mar 06 n then I wrote a review in Dec 06. Since then, Ive had a baby and because of the almost impossible feat to get into the backseat (esp holding a newborn) I was forced to sell it. I cant say enough about this car. Im still unable to find the words to explain how awesome it is. Thick, solid, muscular, fast, sexy, sleek, smooth, low key but at the same time eye catching. Unbelievable

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  Owned for 6 years - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By hardywang - December 26 - 2:23 am

  Lost my GTP in an accident, an owned it for 6 years ended with 220000KM. Generally speaking it is a good car, styling, comfort, fast. With some issues as well, in 6 years I replaced: 2 water pumps, 2 crankshaft position sensors, 1 low ball joints, 2 sway bars. Rear strut mounts are gone.