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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  Asteck - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Satreethawk - February 28 - 10:00 am

  Trying to re-start the car after it has been shut off for a few minutes is really hard. Also the back air foil is right in the line of sight as you look in the rear-view mirror.

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  No more GMs for me - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By No more GMs for me - February 27 - 5:46 pm

  We bought this Canadian vehicle in at a Western Pennsylvania auto auction. We got it at less than 14,000 miles. We were delighted with it until 41K (6K out of warranty). Then, with no warning, the engine leaked coolant into the crank, two bearings spun and we needed to replace the engine - $4000! After politely but firmly requesting that GM should pay at least a part of the cost, they essentially told me to pound salt. The regional rep wouldnt even talk to me! Letters to GM basically said drop dead. Turns out my cousin had the same van, a year newer, with 48K - engine failed. My daughters father in law had a Buick that failed at 5K with the same engine. NO MORE GMs FOR ME!!!!

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  Piece of Crap - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By LindaPaul - February 8 - 10:00 am

  This is the second Bonneville that I purchased and had nothing but problems with it. The transmission and alternator has been replaced twice plus other sundry problems. It has been for sale for 2 months with no bites. I received money back from Pontiac because of all the problems.

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  Please do not waste your money - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By mel1105 - January 27 - 11:07 am

  I have owned this car for 3.5 years now and have dumped over $3,000 in repairs in the last 24 months into it with replacing wheel bearings, strut mounts, brake pads & rotors, calipers etc etc etc. I wish I had someone warn me prior to purchase on the money pit this car actually is. Please take note of this if you are considering.

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  Nice looking car but engineering is weak - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By JoJo Jackson - January 26 - 2:00 am

  We paid about $13000 new. The only option was a CD player. The main problems were that the A/C fan went out twice and an A/C duct kept coming apart when we ran the fan on high. Also, the paint job started pitting in 2001. The hood looks like it has white dots all over it. It also lost its original shine. To be honest, we live in Florida and the sun is brutal on paint. But we kept it waxed a couple of times a year and paint should last longer than that. It is the dark green color. No major problems with the motor or transmission. The car rattles and is very noisy.

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  My first Car - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Melissa - January 21 - 8:10 am

  My parents bought this car for themselves in 2003. I started driving a yr later. They let me drive it. At first no problems. But then The battery kept dying. The motorized lift in the seat stopped working and the passenger seat no longer tilted forward or backwards. The display died the stereo and the coolant tank had a slow leak. When involved in a low impact crash in a parking lot where both cars were barely moving (not my fault) the driver side rear panel crumbled and the light shattered. No very strong.

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  Always been a GM guy - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By shakenbake88 - January 18 - 6:46 pm

  IMHO i would stay away from these cars as they are nothing but an electrical nightmare. The car is less then 9 years old and have spent ridiculous amounts of coin on it. The computer was replaced, and programed by dealer, with less then 120,000 km. and i still have the engine light going off. Dropped the transmission with less then 160, 000 mostly highway kms. Cracked the plastic plentum on the the engine with just over 130, 000km. Who thought of that, plastic on top of a hot engine! The design flaws are endless.

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  Deception - 2010 Pontiac Vibe
  By Robi Robo - January 4 - 12:03 am

  Purchased to replace an old Audi Quattro, it is the worse car I ever drive and a huge disappointment: uncomfortable with those checky shock and hard seats, bad gas mileage (around 21-22), boring to drive and unefficient AWD. It is the first time I was stock on my driveway and this unsecured feeling on wet/snow roads. We though that was because on the tires, But tire Plus told us it has the best tires for the car.

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  Will not buy another Aztek - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Borders - January 1 - 5:03 pm

  We purchased our Aztek used in 2003. Had very low miles & fully loaded. Had taken it in last winter to fix condenser on A/C unit & to repair head gasket. Major work. Since we had no warranty left, luckily GM came through & paid for the parts (1/2 the total price). We had to pay for the labor which still cost us $1,000.00. When driving long distance, neck tend to get sore & tense. The back hatch doesnt release on the 1st try. ABS system makes noises sometimes. Will buy Toyota or Honda next. They tend to stand buy their product!!