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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  Must have been a monday car - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By wanna import edition - April 17 - 2:00 am

  Where to start... driving home from the dealer suspension was knocking - turned out to be broken bolt. Engine kept stalling while driving - bad crank sensor (towed 3 times before diagnosed) Engine soft plugs poped while driving Steering column was replaced twice. Door panel replaced twice Seatbelt mechanism rattled and squeaked. Transmission failed after 38 months and 27000 miles. Now exhaust flange has cracked (no impact marks per dealer - it just failed) Dealer and GM have been great in fixing the clunker - it just my time that is wasted and nerves that are being wracked.

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  Black Beauty 06 GXP - Time to say Goodbye - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Queenie - April 15 - 4:32 pm

  When I first bought this vehicle 6/14 everything seemed fine-until I had it for about 1.5 months and the brakes went bad. Took it back to the dealership and they replaced them without replacing the drilled rotors (I found out much later). Not even 8 months and I dont drive this car hard. I am replacing drilled rotors and premium brake pads. Later on down that line, I have replaced serpentine belts(2x), water pumps, it has accessive oil consumption (small oil leak). There is a noise when I drive under my car that I can not get rid of (no one seems to know what it is). I have replaced throttle, battery (within a year of buying it). Now, the Torque converter clutch is going bad. This is my second grand prix. My first was a GT V6, I had absolutely no problems with that vehicle which I bought used at 75k miles and sold it at 110k miles. I will have to part ways with this current vehicle. Sad to see it go.

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  Absolutely love this vehicle! - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By kcstudmuffin - April 15 - 10:00 am

  This is one of the best purchases Ive ever made. The interior is exceptionally laid out and convenient. The ride is comfortable (my friends say its like riding in a floating barcalounger!). Although Ive had comments that its ugly, I think its fantastic and unusual (to each his own). I feel I got a great value for my money, and this is so much better than the SUV I traded in. I highly recommend it.

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  2002 Collectors Edition Trans Am - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Larry G - April 15 - 10:00 am

  Great car.Fun to drive.Only 500 made for collectors.Great gas milage for all the power.

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  Something to Think About - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Kasi - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I thought of 3 good things to say about the 99 that I own. It is a reliable car. It starts right up in the winter. It still turns heads (even for all the wrong reasons!). It has some good speed. However, I have had to bring it into the dealer 3 times for the same problem. The windows keep falling off track. Working windows are important. I have found that the apoxied plastic clips on the windows seem to come "unglued" or brittle in extreme temps. I have also had to change the brakes, rotors, and belts that should last. I am not completely dissatisfied, but I will think twice before I purchase another one. My only advise with this car is if you use your windows a lot, pass on this car.

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  Great car, horrible service from Pontiac - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By K. Janz - April 15 - 10:00 am

  I bought my 99 GT as a "GM Certified Used Vehicle". While it was still under warranty the paint started to peel badly on the trim moldings behind both windows. I took it to the local Pontiac dealership & they suggested calling Pontiac because they wouldnt do anything for me. Ponitac refused to do anything about it as well. They gave me every excuse they could think of including that this was normal wear and tear. (the car was only 2 yrs old) Pontiac completly rejected the idea of taking care of this small paint job & taking care of me as their (former) loyal customer. This is a great car, one of the best Ive owened, but I will not buy another Pontiac after the treament I recieved!

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  DRIVE EXCITEMENT!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By REMTAZ - April 15 - 10:00 am

  GREAT EXPERIENCE! NO PROBLEMS. VERY FUN TO DRIVE.

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  Garbage In Garbage Out - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By simpleaztek - April 14 - 9:30 am

  Words of Wisdom - once the Aztek is over 3 years old or 50,000 miles it will deteriorate into a money pit. We absolutely loved ours until about eight months ago. Front passenger wheel bearing went, then the intake manifold leaked (yes, I know about the DexCool settlement) and then we had a cracked head gasket. Over $3k into the car in the past six months and its only 5 1/2 years old and with only 60,000 miles on it. Here I come Honda! Never a GM car again for me.

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  Excellent Car! - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Wolfman - April 14 - 8:56 am

  This was quite a find at only 68,000 miles. The car handles great and performs even better!

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  Wonderful touring sedan! - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By GM-MAN - April 12 - 4:40 pm

  What a wonderful car. I am so very pleased with my Bonneville SLE, and have driven on 3 over 500 mile trips in my SLE and just enjoy its great handling (FE2 ride and handling package) and great torque from the 3.8 Series II V6. I never forget I am in a Pontiac. I have put about 8000 miles on mine and really like its driving dynamics. It rides wonderful on the highway and does not comprise on curves. It cuts coners very stable with almost sports car like feedback and performance. Overall it is an impressive vehicle and classic American styling also get some thumbs up. I am very sad to see such a great large sedan be taken out of production! Pontiac bring the Bonneville back, I am waiting!