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:

• 

  Gas mileage - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By tbrenz93 - August 4 - 6:42 am

  I currently own a 2002 grand prix with 161,100 miles on it and for some reason it goes through $15 of gas in a few miles. I wouldnt recommend driving it to 160,000 miles, its a junker now.

• 

  Thanks LOADED for $30K - V8 sedan :o) - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By RisorBob - August 4 - 4:23 am

  I previously owned a 2005 CTS-V and traded on a G8 GT after test driving it four three hours... Thanks to my dealer for that. The car is underpowered compared and doesnt brake as well as the caddy. However the fit and finish are great, the auto with tiptronic is awesome. I never thought that Id be that guy that got tired of the stick but it happened. A loaded V8 sedan for $30K is awesome and I agree by a Garman Nuvi for $200 if you want NAV it will crush any in car system. Its a Holden with better versions still to come but this is a great car a family sedan with the sports when you want it and everyone who sees it says WOW it looks like a BMW - I love it. For the money you cant beat it.

• 

  Really Like it so Far - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By DWayne - August 2 - 12:13 pm

  Ive had it 3 months....it sat at the dealership for 6 months for some reason. Midlife crisis caused me to by it. It is fast as hell.

• 

  Fun car, great car - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Grego - August 2 - 10:00 am

  This car has been a joy to own. Very few mechanical problems and a lot of fun to drive.

• 

  GTO rules - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Acosta - August 2 - 5:33 am

  I love the sound of the motor at start up, crusing on FL turpike, Racing it at the track in Gainsville FL against imports espicialy The STi, I always seam to beat them, unlike your fake review "STi vs GTO" I have guys in Miami FL pulling me over with STis to ask me about my GTO, one guy even traded his STi for a silver GTO 05. I love everything about it.

• 

  Great little car - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Cbrown - July 31 - 6:23 am

  Im very pleased with my Vibe. Its the AWD model. It handles well and is pretty zippy with the 2.4L engine. Upgraded factory sound system with Sirius/XM is great. Mileage has consistently been around 26-27 mpg. The car is great in the snow with or without snow tires. With the back seat down it has an amazing amount of cargo space. The back seat has a lot of leg room for a small car. Too bad they discontinued this car, Id buy another one!

• 

  A great versatile economical fun car - 2008 Pontiac Vibe
  By Jay Larson - July 31 - 12:10 am

  This is proof that you can get great fuel economy without buying a hybrid. drives like a sports car, handles well carries our big Bernese mtn. dogs lots of cargo space even for 8 ft. lumber. the vibe is in my opinion much better, and sportier looking than than the Toyota Matrix version. I get consistently 34 to 36 mpg. which gives me around a 400 mile range I average 37 mpg with non-ethanol gas. It handles well in the snow with the front wheel drive and my manual transmission (which I had to search for) I traded a gas guzzling trailblazer for it and the vibe is just as much fun to drive. I love this car and would definitely considering buying another at trade in time.

• 

  The Best Car Ever! 😄 - 2001 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Karen Guiles - July 30 - 3:57 am

  My car is an automatic. I bought my car 11/01/2000 and it had only 7 miles on it and now has 117000. I love the car! It was perfect until the last 2 years. Its had the Fuel Pump, starter and transmission replaced now. Unfortunately, I havent been able to have it garage kept so the paint is failing. My Son bought me a new car so Ill sadly be finding a new home for my Sunfire. Im very attached but just dont need 2 cars and dont need to pay Insurance, Registration and Inspection on both. If its well maintained it will last for years!

• 

  sv6 supporter - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By mommymobile - July 29 - 10:40 pm

  The price is very affordable, the insurance is great also. Its great on gas. My children love it, my 3 year old gets in and out herself, the power slider door is wonderful when dropping off or picking up at school, no need to get out anymore. I love driving it.. it sure beats the suv I used to drive... so take it for a test drive... just make sure you get a sales persons thats right for you, and take the time and check out the dealership first.. ask around if anyone has dealt with that dealership. (I had a bad experience)

• 

  Cheap = Expensive - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Dave - July 29 - 11:53 am

  Last winter the heater blend door and actuator broke. $1300- the entire dash has to be removed to fix a $60 part. Leather seat has split. Front right wheel bearing needs replacing.