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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  Dont delay, get yours today! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By PeterGTO - June 13 - 1:40 pm

  After years of driving compact cars or full size automatics, this GTO is a thing of beauty. Absolutely a blast to drive. The 6-speed shifter takes a little getting used to if you have never driven one before but other than the heavy clutch, it is very easy to drive even in rush-hour traffic. If you can afford one, get it! Only 12000 scheduled for 2005 model year.

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  Great car - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By TONYDFRSH - June 13 - 6:43 am

  I have never owned a pontiac, but i love this car!!!!!!! All cars have downsides be it maintenance, gas or whatever. Ive owned mostly ford mustang gt`s, but i bought a 94 caddy 3 yrs ago and i was transformed into a gm man. My wife has a 2003 caddy cts under 28,000 miles, and this car rides as good as this minus the toys;" she also agrees". Power is better than her 3.2 2003 Cts. This car is a sleeper. I have the base model. But its more than adequate; see for yourself. Also before i forget; the caddy has been in the shop for little annoying things, and as of today her powersteering pump is leaking and the car is acting funny; dealer said they are going to fix it, luckily. Buy the gran prix

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  2009.5 Pontiac G6 GT Sedan - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By evnsptc - June 12 - 9:27 am

  I ordered a new G6 from my local dealer in October of 2009. I got it about a month later and it came with (black/tan heated leather, power moonroof, spoiler, 17 polished 5 spoke rims, 3.5L V6, AM/FM/XM/CD/AUX radio, Monsoon speaker system, power seat) When I got it I was very surprised. The exterior is beautiful! The interior is very nice too. I took it home and was in shock to find out how well this car handled! The suspension is taught yet soft at the same time! The steering feels like a German sports sedan! It currently has 23K miles on it and has given me no problems at all! I get it professionally detailed every 3 months I detail it myself in between. I love it so much!

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  New 2009 Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Vibe Owner - June 11 - 10:23 am

  I love my 2006 Vibe and purchased it due to the reliability in northern snow, gas mileage & the height of the seating, head room and the ability of additional load capacity when the back seats are down. I also love the side covers that protect the bottom of the doors and around the tires where road rocks put pings on most autos and hurt the paint. Your new 2009 Vibe has changed most of the good features by lowering the height of the auto, making it less apt to maneuver in deep snow. Lowered the angle of the windshield at a loss of head room and removed the protective side panels so the new 2009 would look sportier.

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  2006 Grand Prix Sedan (Base) - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By MawDeuce - June 10 - 4:36 pm

  My previous car was a 1997 Bonneville, Series II 3.8L V6. I have to say, that with this new Grand Prix, I felt so secure with the purchase because the engine is just exceptionally dependable and easily modified. Id never owned a GP like this one, and so far I absolutely love it. Easy to maintain, smooth shifting, and somewhat powerful(could use some mods though). I cant wait for dual exhaust, short RAM intake and my new hood. I have to say that the shifty squeaking/clicking I get in the steering column is something I could do without though. The factory sound system is more than I expected, with more than enough bass to keep me happy for a while.

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  Pre-Retirement Thrill - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By slnews - June 9 - 8:10 pm

  In my search for a comfortable, roomy car for a big and tall person like myself, the Bonneville was last on my short list. After driving it, I had to have it! Deceivingly roomy, yet drives and performs outstandingly. The creature features are just enough to pamper me but not too much to spoil me. Id rather have a responsive "big" car in todays deteriorating roads, jam packed with inattentive (aka cell phone handicapped) drivers. The 3.8 liter V6 is the perfect bridge between typical 3.5s and less that cars around this weight class usually get, and the gas guzzling V8s. I dont know if its on purpose, but Pontiac dual exhausts have always "growled", which you wont hear in a Buick!

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By GOAT CONVERT - June 9 - 6:50 pm

  Excellent car, everything the edmunds review says it is. Great handling, power, comfort, and surprisingly fuel economy( 28 mpg hwy ) understated appearance, much like the first generation gto looked like grandmas tempest with a hot rod engine. Love the car !!

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  Emily Bahm - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Emily Bahm - June 9 - 9:00 am

  Great car have had it for four years. Drive from Philly to Pittsburgh a lot. Only had to replace heater core recently and a lower control arm.

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  WOW!!!! Sit back and hold on!! - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Nick - June 8 - 3:46 pm

  I think I got the last one in the midwest. Whatever, I think there were only 1823 built. Still working on that one. This car is ridiculous, a 3900 lb. car 0-60 in 4.5? Yes. Im 55, this is the best, most fun car I have ever owned, and Ive owned some, from corvettes to T-bird Super Coupes that were not stock, very fast. This thing is it. Even the Stereo is ridiculous. Oh, by the way, I could care less what the gas mileage is. Wonder what this sucker will bring at the Mecum Auction in 15 years when all the muscle cars are gone????

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  Looks like a coupe, drives beautifully! - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By SnobZilla - June 8 - 1:53 pm

  I bought this car thinking Id be "OK" with it until I could afford my "Audi". Im not even thinking about the Audi anymore! Not for at least three or four years! It rides unbelievably well. . . its more comfortable than our Jetta, too. Gas mileage is not great in the city but using Shell gas vs. any other increased my gas mileage by 3 miles per gallon and I hit right about 20 whereas our Jetta gets just a few miles more. I have zero complaints! The GTP package has an unbelievable sound system and before this car I dont think I ever pictured myself cruisin around on 18s! Haha! I love it! (And yes, Ive had nice cars so this is not a case of "first new car" giddies!) Get one!