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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  Ugly But Functional - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Steve - April 14 - 2:53 am

  Surprisingly impressed! First American car in 30 years, and its really nice! No complaints, except for having great difficulty putting gas into it. Have had diagnosis by 3 certified mechanics, replaced fuel vapor canister, fuel evap solenoid and STILL have to put gas in at about 5 cents a spurt because the nozzle keeps kicking out. Its smooth, quiet, powerful and has a number of features I was going to invent one of these days. I recommend a buy, if youre more concerned about function than appearance.

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  Best Performance Sports Coupe Available! - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By DJ - April 13 - 11:46 am

  Overall the 0-60 time of 4.6 seconds (Ive gotten it to 60 in 4.3 seconds) and the amazing rush of performance every time I step on the gas makes this car an absolute dream! If you want big horsepower, big torque and a big engine then this is the car for you. The interior is extra comfortable (I could sleep in those seats) and the sound that comes from those huge tail pipes is a delight. Handling A+, Ride A+, Performance A+, what more do you want? This is at another level than what its often compared to, like the Mustang. Dont get me wrong, I like Mustangs (traded in a 2002 Mustang GT for my GTO) but this car is just at another level. Its the best way to get a Vette and save $15,000!

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  Homer Simpson comes to mind DOH! - 1999 Pontiac Sunfire
  By phat_white_boy - April 13 - 3:53 am

  Overall not a bad vehicle, 99 with 2.4L twin cam. 138,000mi fun to drive on the highway with moonroof open - the ladies seem to like it to. however its currently being serviced for a new water pump in intake gasket

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  Black in Black Grand Prix - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Guillo - April 12 - 10:40 pm

  86,000 miles and it runs like a tiger. The starter was damage at the 75,000 and it damage also the battery, besides that, only regular maintenance and tires. I use it to travel a lot with my heavy friends (4 people in car and is loaded like 900 pounds plus the baggages weight) and it moves nicely. When alone (140 pounds) I race with everything on the street (Won a lot). The car have a lot of power, is very nice to drive, it have a nice look (family + sport at the same time). The interiors look super cool, are very confortable and the factory stereo sounds very nice.

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  Pile of junk - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Jack Hoffman - April 12 - 3:16 pm

  This is by far the worst car Ive ever owned. Bought with 16,000 miles on it, I had problems from day one. Sun visors fell off, 3 CD players, rack & pinion, 2 wheel bearings, several rotors, tie rod end, steering coupler. Now at 56,000 miles, the struts are gone and a loud clunk in the front end again. Check engine light on again. I will never buy another GM product again nor will I recommend it to anyone. Thank goodness it leaves next year. Before I buy another car, I will make sure to check this website out.

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  love my vibe - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By t.l.meeks - April 11 - 2:00 am

  my wife and i love our vibe. I work at the hendrick auto mall where we sell cadillac,buick,gmcand pontiac. the vibe was the car of my choise.i will trade into a new vibe every year.way to go gm.

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  Great Ride! - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By JJL 15 - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Truly a blast to drive. I couldnt be happier with the car.

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  So far, SO GOOD! - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Tin Indian Pride - April 11 - 2:00 am

  Overall, an excellent car. Pretty good power in the V6. Very fun to drive without giving up the needed driver and passenger space. Tons of standard features. Even for a sedan, it looks great!

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  I LOVE THIS CAR - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By paulkarla - April 11 - 2:00 am

  i paid 32000 for mine and it has been worth every penny

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  My American English Roadster - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Klaus VB - April 10 - 9:21 pm

  I have long wished for an affordable English Roadster - 2 seats, impractical, zoomy, fun car. Most of those have left the realm of affordability. So after test driving 5 times, I took a chance on this car. No regrets at all. I love how it drives, I love how zoomy it is. There are so few out there that you dont see many on the road and people think it is WAY more expensive a sports car than it actually is. Heads turn wherever I go and people approach me at the gas station to talk about it. Since it is my fun car, I do not worry much about the storage capacity (there is almost none). If you are looking for something to cruise in, run about on a beautiful day or drive to work (and then daydream about leaving for the day) than this is your car. ON THE OTHER HAND - I wish GM had put a little nicer fit and finish in the interior. The hard plastics are a bummer and the leather isnt great. The top is a little wonky to get up and down, but when stowed the car looks fantastic. I have had the car for over a year now and have only had to change the oil.