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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  vibe is a good choice - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By macho105 - June 19 - 10:00 am

  hi, I purchased a vibe 2004, so far the car has been working great and it is very fuel economic, the matrix from toyota is pretty similar in stile, however the vibe desing looks a lot better, also the service I have received from Pontiac dealer has been great, I love the vibe, I would strongly recomend it as a great purchase, if you buy it, you will love it!! Carlos

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  Fun,Economical,andFunctional - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By jdlas - June 19 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle lacks design of its counterpart the "Matrix" but obviously the interior is identical besides the logo on the steering wheel (Pontiac symbol on Pontiac, Toyota on the Toyota) This car is fun to drive and very economical as well as functional.What other car gives you a household outlet in it? I am very pleased with it all around but like I said, Toyota put the extra "Pizzazz" on the exterior of its counterpart. Radio is hard to read in daylight,as if should have been on angle,the sunlight makes it almost impossible to read.

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  " Wooden Wheels "....Junk - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Matt Miller - June 19 - 7:50 am

  Rear suspension is the the most clunkiest, hard hitting that Ive ever experienced. Its been diagnosed as "thats how they are". Whoever passed this through the quality inspection at the factory must have worked for the Amish previously. It sometimes has trouble starting and the inside looks bad from staining. I still owe too much to trade in though. I never noticed the suspension clunking during the test drive because I drive down a smooth newly paved road. Also, the traction control starts working on dry pavement while not actually spinning, so I sit still for no reason for a few seconds.

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  My baby blue! - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DFO - June 17 - 4:40 pm

  We have enjoyed this car so much! We havent had any major repairs, only regular maintenance repairs.The car has get up and go!......Love the hum when accelerating! Feels like Im driving a more expensive sports car. Downside: noisy, interior is cramped, cup holder is behind gear shifter, and it wont go into park with a large size drink in it .... bummer!

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  Happy ending - 2009 Pontiac Solstice
  By Elnathan - June 17 - 10:13 am

  I have admired the Solstice since it first appeared. I realized recently that, to buy a new one, it was now or never. Couldnt be happier. Impossible to find comparable beauty in a new roadster for under 150K. Sure, there are a few shortcomings (cup holders, etc.), but every time I am about to get irritated I just get out of the car and look at it a while. It is supremely beautiful. Even if such transcendent looks could ever become a visual cliche, it will never happen because so few Solstices are going to be around. My wife and I have had seperate cars for some time, but she just announced that she considered the Solstice to be OUR car. It does that to people.

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  Cheap, but cheap - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By Cavea T. Emptor - June 17 - 7:40 am

  Im amazed by the generous reviews, but I guess buyers want to be happy. Shoppers should be more critical however, so beware. It has the usual hundred little fit and finish flaws that typify domestics, which should not come as a surprise. However, the ceiling is lower than previous models, and although Im only 6, I have to slouch to avoid hitting my head on the center console and outer pillar. Leg room for driver and front passenger is barely adequate. Same old silly under- the-hood wipers are impossible to clear without lifting the hood. At least they moved the grille off the hood assembly so you might not shatter it in cold weather. It runs, but you get what you pay for.

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  pontiac grand am se2,not that good - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By brad2471 - June 17 - 5:47 am

  I bought this grand am abought a 3months ago. its a nice car for a girl, the car is very cramped. performance is pertty good very fast car. there is some minor problems with this car. the trunks leaks bad. there is a clicking sound behind the dash. ac does not work. dash lights only half work. the fog lights do not work if pontiac comes back they need to redesign the grand am.

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  My grand am gt - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By maddy - June 17 - 2:00 am

  I recently bought a used 96 grand am gt, so far it has been ok other then my alternator is already going out...but I also have the 95 grand am gt and we have replaced the alternator once, the heater core, the brakes, the thermostat 3 times, and just recently the water pump. but other then that (which is a lot) i have had no MAJOR problems...I love the new look of the 96-98 model grand ams...and it handles well..

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  Wonderful car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By shamgar - June 16 - 7:03 pm

  Bought this car new based on research into cars that got good mileage. We are extremely happy with it. Current mileage is about 65000 and the car has been dead reliable. It has a five-speed and since teaching my daughter to drive stick I now have to fight her for the car when I need it. Great fun to drive, loads of room for cargo. The only negatives are esthetics. Its not terribly comfortable on long drives and the low profile tires are extremely noisy especially on freeway expansion joints. Now that Pontiac is gone, I would buy a Toyota Matrix without hesitation.

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  07 GP GT - 2007 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GP & TA - June 16 - 1:00 am

  Ive had the GT for about 3 months and love it over all. I do not have any regrets about my choice. Rush-hour commuting is now far more tolerable. Id even say enjoyable, but driving the GT is far better than the stop and go of rush-hour. The drivers seat is very comfortable. The A/C and climate control options are far better than any other car Ive owned or driven. Granted, it would be nice if the front passenger seat had the same power options.