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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  Foxy Sweet - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Frank - April 27 - 5:36 am

  This car is a beautiful car, however some rider may not find it statisfying to them, there are cars are lemons, and dealer has no fault of it. Like any other cars always here and there you will notice a few issues, but on whole this car is reponsive, ecellent riding manner, excellent accerlation, and the look and the power. GM should tight this car alittle bit ad some luxury features inside and that is it, why this car manufatures cheep like that, if they cant improve this car esprcailly becuase it is #1 selling car for them, then I do ot blame the foreign import to beat the heck on GM.

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  Best new car Ive owned in over 50 years - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mike angelo - April 26 - 7:50 pm

  I get over 30 mpg on highway 24 in city. Hot foot wife does much worse. Outside of battery, brakes tires, and oil changes, have had NO repairs in first 140,000 miles. Needed to replace oil pan gasket but delayed it until now. Oil is still cheaper than the repair. Suddenly the motor mount went bad. (Supercharged models use one less mount) which caused front axle boot to go. While it was apart replaced water pump which was still OK. Wife loves the car, Im a van person so I feel cramped in it but it is fun to drive and the boost is great when needed. Tried using premium fuel but saw no gain in hp or mpg so have used regular since then with no problem.

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  SMOKIN HOT! - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By Johnnybegood - April 26 - 11:03 am

  We purchased our 1998 Firebird from a friend who kept it in a barn in the winter and barely drove it in the summer. Only paid $4,500.00 for it and it is in mint condition. Fully loaded and faster than a raped ape. With this car you get the muscle, class and speed without having to pay a ridiculous price for a name. Especially one you can "blow away" LOL.

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  Awesome Car - 1998 Pontiac Firebird
  By Zac Stark - April 25 - 11:10 am

  I just got my bird about 3 months ago and Ive fallen in love with it. Im only 16 and this is already my second car. I love driving to school in this baby and watching all the heads turn as I pull in the lot. Going to the mall is now more about getting there than being there. The car is so much fun to drive. Taking corners at 70 mph as if I was only going 30. The feeling of power as the body shakes when revved up. Its muscle all the way. The inside is a little cramped though and the system sucks big time. Dont recommend for a taller person. The passenger seat is REALLY cramped with a small bump in the floor. All in all though its a blast to drive and is a head turner.

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  Better than Toyota and Honda (american ) - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By borges - April 24 - 8:50 pm

  Good car excellent drive response, fully loaded, leather, power seats, heated seat and instrumental panel well designed

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  Great Car - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Chadwick - April 24 - 10:00 am

  This car is awesome. Its sleek design and stylish looks combined with the raw power of the engine make this car one of my favorites.

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  On fire - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Bell23 - April 24 - 10:00 am

  We fell in love with three things the new model had. Once is the same dual overhead cam Ecotek engine that gives more than 30mpg every tank, even if you drive as if it is a Cendar Point ride on wheels. The second was the new, 2- years ago, 4-speed automatic. We learned you could pull it behind a motor home, it had enhanced traction control for winter fun, and the overdrive gear ratio of .66 matched the 5-speed manual for that gas mileage edge. The last thing is the new look. GM stopped making the 4-door Sunfire and upgraded the look dramatically. The front has the swooping headlights and the aggressive Trans-am look.

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  Impressive American Sedan - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GP fan - April 24 - 12:13 am

  Ive put 11k Miles on this vehicle and am pleased with its quality. Its straight line performance is great for a sedan. Its steering is a bit vague, but thats compared to my compact Mazda. My 4cyl Mazda only got 2mpgs better with half the horsepower. The dashboard is a bit bland in all black, so I recently bought a Sherwood dash kit to accent it. The only other gripe I have is the door handles. They are to small and slippery for such heavy doors. If you enjoy modifying your vehicle, there are several sellers of aftermarket parts for this car. Overall, I really enjoy driving this car. I get nice comments about its looks. I am really glad I bought American.

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  2004 Grand Prix GT2 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Nikki - April 23 - 1:16 pm

  I have noticed that my doors tend to sound odd when opening or closing. Worse in the cold. Its a creaking noise. Also, I know its pretty standard now a days but the white film thats all over the windows from running air or defrost. Its almost impossible to get off.

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  Simply amazing! - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By lrymal - April 23 - 12:10 pm

  I have this fun little car for almost a month now. Basically, it is as everyone else has said and if I were to fault this car at all, it would be for the interior plastics. The plastics are easy to scratch. Easy. I mean, you dont mean, but you look, and you see you scratched something. What did it, a coin? Ring? Finger nail? The design layout of the plastic pieces is good, and that is cause of the scratching. Theres a cubby hole for pens, an area to lay the iPod, lots of nice areas to lay thing, but that is how the scratches occur. I gave it "5" for interior design due to this.