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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  I love my Trans Am! - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By md4dmse - September 1 - 11:16 am

  I got this car before I got pregnant with twins, so it doesnt see as much use now as it used to. The WS6 coupled with the convertible was actually my dream car and I was amazed and thrilled when I got it! It has never disappointed me at all. At 8 years old with close to 90k, Ive only replaced a wheel bearing and a window motor outside of regular maintenence. A pretty good record if you ask me. The gas mileage is unbelievable for this 5.7 too! I use Bosch platinum plugs and get over 30mpg when I keep the air filter clean. I have absolutely no complaints with this car after 4 and a half years of ownership, and I still drive it multiple times weekly even since the twins! Cant go wrong!

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  Fast and reliable - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By raiderzfan422 - August 30 - 9:43 pm

  I have had my 2000 GTP for 3 years now and love it. I cant stop upgrading it. I love to power it has for a v6 and with all the available upgrades its a V8 eater. Great handling and quick acceleration. Also love the sound of a supercharger. Gets good gas milage for the kind of vehicle it is. For under 800 dollars this car can be improved from 240 stock to 300 hp.

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  Love this car! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By HMT - August 30 - 8:00 am

  Smooth, powerful and, best of all, my wife loves it. I cant get the keys from her. I promised her Id buy a sporty car and this is it.

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  Danes Review on the new GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Dane E. - August 29 - 10:00 am

  This is one amazing vehicle. I have owned the car for a little more than 4 months and have around 5,500 miles on her. I still get excited every time I get behind the wheel. I love it when I am stopped at a light and people ask me to roll my window down so they can ask questions about it. And to see people driving by doing double takes is great too. One of the most comfortable vehicles I have ever been in. This car comes highly recommended by me.

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  My GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ridgecrestgto - August 29 - 10:00 am

  I went from a 2004 Chrysler 300M Special to the GTo and all I can say is wow. This car is definitely more "me". Black on black, and yes, its an auto, but that just makes her a quick performer. I took her on a 1200mi road trip to Tucson and back, averaged just shy of 22mpg, and let me tell you, I wasnt going "slow" by any stretch of the imagination. In this car, thats impossible. When you turn the car on and hear that rumble, its simply intoxicating. When you rev the engine, people look. And Autozone employees LOVE to fawn over it. But so do I.

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  I love this car!!!!! It is awesome!!!!!! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By iluvmysolstice - August 29 - 4:30 am

  Just received my vehicle a few days ago. i pre-ordered the solstice having only seen and heard about it. now having driven it, i am definitely not disappointed. the solstice handles like a dream. Having been an owner of a few miatas, the solstice has converted me to the Pontiac name brand. Comparing the two, the solstice outperforms the miata in acceleration and handling while having much more interior shoulder and hip room. I am planning on purchasing another for my wife when they become more available.

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  For folks tired of European car prices! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Todd - August 27 - 9:16 pm

  This car is the perfect replacement for people, like me, who are tired of the ever increasing price of Audis, BMWs, Volvos etc.. No price gouging on the options packages either. There are only three options, and they are all very reasonably priced. Just try to get a Sports Package on a European car for under $600! The car is an incredible value. Fast, great handling, great build quality, great looking. Also very quiet and comfortable. Ive had M3s, 3 Series, 5 Series, SAABs and my last car was a Volvo S60R. This car shames them all, and at this price its a knock out in the first round!

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  great car - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By njtravelguy - August 27 - 4:46 pm

  I love this car. I consistently got 30 mpg on the highway. It never broke down. The only repairs were the right front ball joint and broken motor mount. Unfortunately my car was hit on the side and the insurance company declared it a total loss. Now I have to find a car. I have had 3 Pontiacs and dont know what to get now.

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  My Bonnie - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By cecilio perez - August 26 - 1:36 pm

  I bought the car in 2007 with 24,625 miles. I now have a little over 36000. Yesterday I was in a small fender- bender. Ive got a Dodge Avenger as a rental car. I cant wait for my Bonnie to be fixed. I miss the power, the confort, the instrument panel. Did I mention the comfort? Ive gone on a couple trips after I bought it. can not complain abt anything. My wife thinks that I am crazy because now I keep looking for a spare car and guess what I want? When the time comes to get a new car for me, it will be a Pontiac G8 or a 2005 Bonnie GXP. I know I have ways to go because this Bonnie is going to last a while.

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  kills the "metoo car" - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Desh9583 - August 26 - 2:00 am

  Well the car is a nice car i have to admit it. I shoped around and i looked at the civis and some other cars and this car offers way more. I got power everything including a moonroof, 6 speakers 400 watt cd. The red interior lights are much better then the old green ones on everyother car. You can also hook up this car and it def looks sick.