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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  A POSITIVE REVIEW - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By cordle - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this automobile because it was the only one offered in the price range that I could afford. After owning and driving this auto for the past year, I am so glad that it was the one I bought. I have driven it on the highway and in town and could not be more comfortable now feel more safe than in the Aztec. It is not the most beautiful design but everyone knows where I am in this town! I needed an auto that was easy to get in and out of and this has been ideal. I hope that more people will look for quality and not beauty and try this auto.

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  Reasonable Drive - 2001 Pontiac Firebird
  By 7Jewels - March 21 - 10:00 am

  Fun to drive. Takes customizing well. Add a flowmaster and a cold air induction package and youre in there. The powers good and its fun to drive, but it sucks on gas. The handling is really good, but its better with 17in wheels and 45 series Z-rated tires. Good gripe and side-slipe is controllable. The only thing I hate about this car is the "Skip-shift" feature. I bought a six-speed for controllablity. Skip-shift is a buzz kill.

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  Montana is a great minivan! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Andrea Obert - March 21 - 10:00 am

  We went on a 4 hour trip with our 3 children and everyone was comfortable and had their own space. I love all of the features available on my Montana including the XM Satelite radio. I think it is unique looking...it has a more sporty flair than all of the other vans on the market.

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  Nice car - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Lilchavez - March 21 - 10:00 am

  This car handles well and is fun to drive. With the optional packages, MP3 player, Satelite radio, premium sound, it is a pleasure driving in.

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  Bonneville is a 10 - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By bendover - March 21 - 10:00 am

  my second one and as good as the first. I still drive my 1994 also.

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  pontiac bonneville gxp - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By LENNY C - March 21 - 10:00 am

  transmission should be updated to support engine performance. otherwise satisfied.

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  good performer - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By coastalcustomtrucks - March 21 - 10:00 am

  So far the car has been greatwe have 3700 miles on it and its been great so far it was nice to see that they droped the northstar motor in it AND gave it 18 inch wheels. Hope it lives up to my 98 grand prix GTP that car was great my last bonniville 01 that we exchanged for the new 05 was just a nitemare allways in the dealer for repairs

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  GTO - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Ronald Hall - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I drive 35 miles each way to and from work. The GTO is a real fun car to drive. Its a fast car that will easily beat the Mustang GT. My brother has a 2003 Mustang Cobra and we ran them 3 times. I won the first one but unfortunately he won the following two but none of the three races were run away wins and 2 of the three were decided by less than a car length. My brother likes my car as much as he likes his and concedes that my interior is much better with the exception of the stereo. We both agree that the GTO stereo sucks and that my cousins Monte Carlo has a better stock stereo. In close I guess its like this. The GTO is a refined sports coupe thats fun to drive with great power.

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  20004 VIBE - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By patricia scharf - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I am a single senior citizen who drives this back and forth from Michigan to Florida. I pack it sooooo full there is hardly room to breath. Get great gas mileage. Comfortable seating. No way would I ever consider hauling anything behind it but find that I can be up to 85 mph without even knowing it. Thank goodness for my cruise control. Not exactly thrilled with the pontiac dealerships for maintenance. Have had a small problem for a year and unless it will act up for them to see (which only acts up when I turn the key on) they wont fix it. Even though I was only about 3 miles away one time, they wouldnt send someone out to check on it. I guess the car is worth accepting it.

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  FUN - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Chub - March 21 - 10:00 am

  I am a bigggg man ...6 300lbs. I fit in this car and comfortably at that. After driving big trucks for many years and paying the high prices for gas, i decided it was time to buy something more economical. I saw the Vibe and really liked the styling and cargo room. I researched them and was impressed with what I found. I got a great deal and not the usual hassles with the dealership that you usually go through. In the 6 months I have had it I have dreiven all over california. Big cities, dersert, moutnains. this car holds its own.