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:

• 

  Love this car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Borzoi Lady - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I love my Vibe. It is sooooo versitile. For me it is an all around usefull vehicle. I take my dogs to shows in it. I have hauled livestock feed in it. One time I even brought a new screen door home from the building supply company in it. And it still is a nice, comfortable five passenger car.

• 

  Great car - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ZZDTSZ - December 7 - 10:00 am

  I was worried that I would wish I had a v-6 but this 4 cylinder is plenty peppy. I am still suprised at how well this vehicle rides and handles since it it the base SE model. Great car.

• 

  Questionable Tranny and Bad Interior - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By timhda - December 7 - 10:00 am

  We just recently purchased this vehicle and already the tranny (automatic) when going from 1st to 2nd goes cu-clunk. The interior seems to be made for about a buck fifty, but I do like the red dash lighting, but the cd player wont play CD-RW or MP3...whats the point in having it...its like a tease. Overall though I do love the car, its a sexy beast on the outside, great trunk space, smooth ride (outside the cu- clunk thing), great pickup, inexpensive V-6, handling is superb, nice accurate cruise control, decent stock speakers, not enough storage compartments...overhead storage for glasses or something would be nice

• 

  Great buy right now - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Q - December 7 - 9:43 am

  I just purchased the 2.4 2009 vibe with manual trans. I offered $200 less than the TMV and they accepted my first offer to my surprise. Great car and if you want to buy one, offer a ridiculously low amount to start with. They are practically giving these away with all the incentives. I wanted the 1.8L, but couldnt find one. The 2.4 is more than enough power, but I still get over 30 MPG with 50/50 driving, so Im very happy. Manual is fun to drive and very comfortable. Cargo space is great, as I can fit my bike in the back without taking any wheels off. Sound system is great. I switched from a huge suburban to this and I dont regret it. Cash for clunkers program is a great deal.

• 

  Fun, looks great, and very quirky - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Mike W. - December 6 - 5:46 pm

  The Solstice is the latest two-seater convertible Ive owned; previous cars include the Honda del Sol (my all-time favorite car), the Toyota MR2 Spyder, the Audi TT, Mercedes SLK 230, Mazda MX-5 Miata, and the BMW Z3. Heres what I see as the good and bad after owning my vehicle for about a month: First, it looks great. I have gotten several compliments on it already. I love the lines and the way the convertible top completely disappears into the trunk. The car is a blast to drive, and it hugs the road. Theres no windscreen, but the heat blasts strong, keeping me toasty on a chilly day. The gas mileage overall has been just OK, but I did get about 33 MPG on a recent road trip. Now, for the not-so-good...this is the quirkiest car Ive ever had. I didnt notice until after I had bought the car that there are no power windows or locks. I thought that just about every car had power windows and locks; you have to roll the windows up and down with the old-fashioned hand crank. The cup holders are behind the driver in the center, making them pretty useless, especially when one has to use his right hand to shift the gears. The hood release takes a scavenger hunt to find. Its kind of a pain in the butt to put the top up or down, but I dont mind that too badly; Im spoiled because I had been driving convertibles with power tops; and with the Spyder and Miata it was simple to put the top up or down from inside the car. The build quality doesnt seem good; the leather on the seats seems like it will rip eventually, and theres plastic, plastic, plastic everywhere. With all that, I still love the car. I didnt buy it because I mistakenly thought it was a Z4; I bought it because it had low mileage, looked great, and the overall reviews from owners are very good. The bottom line is that if you can tolerate the quirks, this car is just plain FUN. I plan to keep this beauty for a long time; I bought a beater for run in the winter time.

• 

  I love my gto - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By JYCSJDG - December 6 - 12:56 pm

  I just drove my gto 3,000 miles to florida. Handling through the mountains was awesome, i felt i was in a nascar race, and best of all i got 19-23 mpg. The interior is so comfortable, no stiff legs at the rest area. I love my goat and even had alittle fun against the new mustang on international drive. Thanks pontiac ihad a 68 and always swore id by a new one if i could and thanks to you i did and i am lovin it. I also have lots of pontiac drag racin friends and they could not believe how fast, how nice the engine compartment was (user friendly. And the quality of the workman ship. Though i have one downfall. Quick disconnect, lost one on the way home for trans line. They are gone now!

• 

  My 04 Grand Prix - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Daniel - December 6 - 6:56 am

  I love this car. I wanted something that looked good but was still family oriented and I got it in this car. I am 6 6" and I can fit behind the drivers seat with passengers behind me. Everything looks good and the only complaint I have is the headlamps seem to go out on it all the time. I am always replacing a light whether it be a driving light or a turn signal.

• 

  GTP-Pontiac 2004 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Toni Ahlgren - December 6 - 12:33 am

  This car is one of the most fun I ever driven. Oustanding road performance at high speed. With the supercharger, this car will move when you want it too. There are couple features that could be improved and make sure you dont need to take the car to dealer ship for repair. The pullies for the serpentine belt are one the weak side. Had them replaced twice so far. They are not stabil and is causing rattle and squeaks at colder temperature.

• 

  I really Like my GTP - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By orwoody - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I previously owned a 2000 GTP and replaced it with a 2003 when a relative totaled it. I ran close to 50k miles with no problems and my 2003 is even tighter. No issues althouugh ive had it only a few months. I get many compliments and friends love to drive it. Its a lot of fun and I expect it to be as reliable as anything else on the road. I question the entry by "DONTBUYGM" as being a legitimate owners review.

• 

  Fun to Drive - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Darth Vader - December 5 - 2:00 am

  I had a 1995 Bonneville SE previously that I traded in for this car. I love the Bonnevilles for there size, performance, comfort, styling and just the simple fact that its FUN to drive.