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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  2006 Montana - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By EJN - June 1 - 3:36 am

  Bought the vehicle out of state. The vehicle has been over all reliable in that no one has been stranded. Had trouble with the electric side door, the interior light control switch, rear wiper motor, not starting the first time with the ignition switch (software). Both sliding doors jammed on the bottom weather striping. Dissatisfied with the dealer and staff that services vehicles. They had to put the computer on the car (told them not to) and charge me to say the wiper motor is dead. My non mechanical wife told me that. Mad at my local dealer with the poor service and their technicians not following instructions. Have over 80,000 miles on the tires. Economy dropped with the alcohol gas.

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  Most fun for the money - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Big and Bold - May 31 - 1:00 pm

  I now own one of the most fun vehicles on the road. It is a great looking car in black that causes people to stare and ask what Im driving. It is fast and handles better than any other big car Ive owned. Ive owned a 300C and SRT-8 Jeep. I planned to purchase a SRT Charger or Challenger but was turned off by dealers over price. I drove the G8 and fell in love. It handles better, is almost as fast as the SRT8 and it more comfortable. It cost less plus, I dont see it everywhere I look on the road. OnStar is great with turn-by-turn and the layout is perfect. The G8 drifts great, pulls strong off the line. Ive suprised a few vehicles on the road who try and challenge the mighty G.

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  We love it! - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Barryh - May 31 - 10:00 am

  We love our Vibe. Its fun to drive, great fuel economy, we are gald we got the "moon and tunes" package. I put on after market tires and wheels to enhance the appearance. Its everyones favorite to drive in our family. We highly recommend it or the Toyota Matrix.

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  Sporty yet classy - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Geoff GRB - May 31 - 10:00 am

  I purchased my 04 Grand Prix recently and it handles like a dream. The car is so comfortable on the inside with a cockpit like design and the exterior without a doubt turns head everywhere. It has lots of power when you need but purrs so quietly it is easy for passengers to sleep on the longer drives. The wide design of the car makes it steering and handling on the road comfortable at any speed and the interior is spacious. I recommend this car to anyone who wants a sporty car as well as want to drive in comfort and class!!!!!!

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  2006 AWD Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By queens - May 31 - 5:46 am

  I saw an ad for the Torrent and just loved the look. I was hesitant about buying one because I never saw one on the road. Its my first experience with an SUV and I love driving it. I got it fully loaded with the safe, sun and sound packages. The seats are very comfortable and the back seat is roomy and seats fold for more storage. I love the six disc cd changer and the sun roof

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  The Best UGLY car you could ask for. - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By magicbus20 - May 30 - 3:28 pm

  167,000 miles is much more than I wanted when getting my first vehicle. This thing was ok and gave me a great experience. It lasted a littler over 200,000 before I gave up on her. (I cant tell for sure because of a short in the odometer.) Which brings me to the first con, electronics. There were a couple of shorts and other weird things happening. The transmission started to shift hard and slip out of gear on hot days. Overall I trusted this car with my life. Usually got me point a to b until a cold winter day. Heater had gone for some time and finally she overheated and kicked the bed, or so I thought. Family mechanic brought her from the dead. Still rotting in the yard.

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  "Simply awesome" - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Rob - May 29 - 6:43 pm

  I must say this car is "AWESOME" I traded my 2007 Toyota Camry for an American car?? What a great decision I am very happy with this vehicle. My 2007 Toyota they say is a great car I disagree I nothing but problems with my Toyota since the second day I owed it so who really says that Japan makes a better vehicle??? Not me!!!!! I think GM is and has come a long way and I am proud to own American once again!!!! GREAT JOB GM, I promise I wont ever leave you again!!!!!

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  I hate it - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Brittney - May 29 - 12:00 am

  I traded my 06 ford explorer off for a g6 because I started to get too high off mileage on my explorer and I needed something that got better gas mileage. I liked the way it looked on the outside. The inside wasnt bad at first and it drove alright. Within the first month it was in the shop three times for rotors, brake pads and steering column problems. Now, the silver trim is peeling off. It looked cheap on the inside to begin with but now looks even cheaper.

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  Pontiac Montana - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By Jim McCarty - May 28 - 3:20 am

  The only real complaint I have is wind noise around the sliding doors. It is so loud carring on a conversation is difficult. Is there a way to tighten the sliding doors so they close tighter?

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  what a great car - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By 07G5gt - May 27 - 1:46 pm

  i just bought the G5 GT with the 5 speed tranny and i love the car. the power its got the sound of the muffler when you hit the gas is the best. it rides so smooth and the cabin has very little road sound comeing in. the sound system in that car is very nice with the 10 inch sub in the trunk and the XM radio free for the first year. i got the orange sunburst color and people always are telling me how nice it looks. i found a nice car and im very happy with it good job pontiac!