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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  Wish it could stay - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Boo - December 10 - 2:00 am

  As everyone else said I love this car. I had to buy one before they were all sold out. I was fortunate enough to get my paws on one in a different state and had it shipped to the motor city. I went with black on black on black. This car is out of hand. Every where I go people tell me how much they like it. You dont see many of these babies on the road. To all you TA owners hold on to them.

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  I love It so far! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ohsoright_21 - December 10 - 2:00 am

  I bought My 1999 Grand Am not too long ago and I love it so far. It runs very well on the highway. I needed something reliable when my 88 Chrysler New Junker (new yorker) broke down on the highway. I put over 60 miles a day on a car so i needed something reliable and I like what im seeing so far. I love the fact that I can pass someone effortlessly. Great Car!

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  too many flaws - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By jon - December 9 - 2:30 am

  This van was ok until 30,000 miles when the general self sealing tires were bald.Yes I rotated them every 6000 miles. The intake gasket had to be replaced at 31,000. The brakes were sticking on one side at 37,000. Airbag light came on at 40,000 and has been back twice for that. The battery had to be replaced at 47,000. Now the abs,traction control lights are coming on. GM needs to recall the intake gaskets everyone I know with a montana has had it replaced. I love gm trucks but this the last van GM will sell me.

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  Vibe is great - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Brock Bell - December 8 - 9:00 pm

  I knew I wanted a Toyota, but didnt like the style of the Matrix. The car has style, comfort, ease of use, dependability, and great gas mileage. I have averaged 27 mpg with mostly city driving on 89 octane 10 pct ethanol unleaded fuel and 31-33 on highway trips over 300 miles. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone and to purchase without the XM satellite radio option would be foolish. I certainly hope that Pontiac considers keeping this vehicle in their arsenal as well as keeping up the great work on this vehicle with Toyota. I look forward to, and hope, that the planned Toyota redesign of this car (in 2007) continues through to the Pontiac as well. Good luck with you VIBE.

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  Very Dissappointed Torrent Owner - 2007 Pontiac Torrent
  By Vincent Smith - December 8 - 11:43 am

  I bought this vehicle because I fell in love with the style. I have had nothing but problems with it since day one. I must have got a real lemon. I am now involved with GM Head Office. The file folder I have on this vehicle is to big to mention. Everything has gone on it but the Dealership in my hometown of Orillia never seems to be able to agree with my findings of course. Hoping to trade it in soon. The unfortunate part is I love the vehicle so much I am considering taking another Torrent for a test drive. I hope they are not all of the same quality.

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  What the GTO really is.... - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Its a Monaro - December 8 - 1:36 am

  What Americans need to know is that the GTO was originally created by Holden (Australia) for Australian drivers tastes, in terms of design. The clean low lines (minus that useless rear wing is what aussies want in a big V8 RWD coupe. Pontiac never had any design input when the car was designed. It is Pontiac marketing people that got it wrong by trying to relive the Goodol days, not the original designers that got it right! Pontiac insisted on smaller and uglier wheels, the pontiac grill and bonnet nostrils, the add on rear wing and the lack of climate control, all to fit U.S taste and budget contraints. What american buyers must face is that they are buying a Monaro, badged as GTO

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  2000 Grand Prix - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Me2 - December 7 - 10:00 am

  Owned for 4 1/2 yrs only replaced the crummy original goodyear tires!

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  Torrid Red - Streak - 2004 GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Rockets Red Glare - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I am very impressed with the performance, build quality and ride. This is a BIG automobile with a real (comfortable) back seat. A true 2+2 sports coupe. I choose the six speed version to avoid the "gas guzzler" tax and because I prefer a standard transmission. The design is clean and contrary to most opinions, I like it! The color, Torrid red, really pops! GM also offered $3500 cash back with 2.9% financing for five years. Altogether, I was able to reduce the price to $25,200.00 from $33,179.00. What a deal, world class performance for the price of a family car!

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  Pontiac Vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Sharon Roush - December 7 - 10:00 am

  This car handles extremely well and is very fun to drive. The interior is laid out appropriately and the back can fit my 160lb. Great Dane with no problems!

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  Vibe - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By ChillenRUDude - December 7 - 10:00 am

  When I bought this car I lived in VA an moved to CO. It was roomie inside an made for a great drive across country. I had to stop 3 times to get gas an was relaxed the whole way.