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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  Good Looking and HOT!! - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Impe1595 - February 28 - 5:46 am

  For me, it is two things, the styling and the engine. This car is beautiful and fast. I dont care that there is not much storage space, or that the top is not so easy to operate, that the cup holders are a joke, that the instruments are hard to see - I dont care! Because even though I will never drive it more than about 7/10s, when I step on it it goes, and it goes fast; and I love the look of the sloping front fenders from inside, and big tires and exhaust pipes from outside. Im 65 and Ive had many cars; I never thought that I would have anything to rival the beauty of my 71 E-Type Coupe, but this Solstice does come close. I smile every time I go into the garage.

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  Typical GM Car -- Fast until it breaks - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Roger - February 27 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for a few years now. Purchased in 2007 with 30k miles, now I have 80k. Nothing major has broken yet, but the car is such a pile of plastic junk it seems about as reliable as a childs toy. Everything under the car is rusting. The paint is fading and flaking. There is body rust on it. The headlights are hazy and fogged. The car has been through 1 battery and 3 CV boots. The brakes were so rusted I needed to have a mechanic fix them. There is this horrible annoying, nonstop clicking from the blinkers that is apparently common with these. Other than being a piece of plasticy junk, it is pretty zippy. If you dont need a reliable car, Id recommend getting one.

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  2004 Ponitac Montana - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By Kayla C. - February 27 - 10:00 am

  This car was purchased new in 2004. It currently has 172,000 miles on the odometer and it still runs great. I have kept the oil changed every 3,000 miles and Dealer recommended services performed. The only problems I have had with the car is the wheel bearings had to be replaced and the air conditioner has problems cooling as it should.

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  excellent performing car - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By mary thomas - February 27 - 6:26 am

  I love this new car. You ratings are way too low. I cant understand why it isnt rated higher. I researched all of the imorts before I purchased the G6. With the exception of the Mazda 6, there was nothing close to the G6.

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  Torrent - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By w31kn1 - February 26 - 1:30 pm

  I fell in love with the Torrent the moment I saw it. I found it to be fun to drive and comfortable. While to took so getting use to with the window controls and such, the vehicle was an excellent choice on my part. Power and transmition were no problems.

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  A *great* car - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By themrfreeze - February 25 - 4:23 pm

  I loved my 04 Vibe. Rock solid reliable, versatile and roomy interior, enjoyable to drive on long trips. I could haul loads of 8-foot lumber or big bulky items in the back. Car was easy to work on as well, though all I ever needed to do it was rotate tires and change the oil. Got wrecked in 09, and I still miss it.

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  Fantastic value for the money - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By scotth3886 - February 25 - 11:03 am

  As I said in my title fantastic value for the dollar. Feels very much like my friends 2008 BMW 550 for less than half the money and is actually a little faster. Great road car with great seats. The back seat is probably more comfortable than the front, and it has 7 series room back there. Gas mileage isnt so fantastic, but it deteriorates little with speed and it is more economical around town than my V6 Saturn Aura. I bought the car in Ohio and made a major road trip bringing it back out to Cali for the winter. I couldnt ask for a better vacation car. A mid 13 second, 170 mph, 22 mpg+ large, four door sports sedan for $31k. I cant complain much about that.

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  Great car - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By steven90 - February 24 - 6:05 pm

  I own a 01 grand am se 3.4L and a 04 grand am gt ram air 3.4L 95k miles. the 01 has 185,000 miles and still runs like brand new. never any problems. just replaced normal maintenance stuff like struts, front hub bearings. other then that no probs whatsoever. brakes lasted just over 3yrs before needed replaced. i tow a trailer also with the 01 sometimes. has original trans also. both are great cars.

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  good value - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By clint - February 24 - 1:20 pm

  We hadnt even considered the Aztek when shopping for a new car. Figured that an economy car was the only thing in our budget. Went looking at the Pontiac Vibe and saw the Aztek in the showroom. With the GM redtag clearance and other discounts, we got our 2005 FWD Aztek out the door for under $15000. Excellent value, a lot of features, outstanding interior room. The only unknown is how it will hold up over the years. Right now Im quite happy with it. The exterior appearance takes a bit getting used to. If you can get over the outward appearance, the Aztek is quite a good deal. Its not a Vette, so I dont buy the complaints about power-its power and acceleration are just fine.

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  Trans Am review from a daily driver pers - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By Hurley711 - February 23 - 8:56 pm

  The car looks great and is fun to drive, but it also has some major downsides. Annoying pop up headlight motors break every few years. The cheap plastic interior rattles to no end, even SFC didnt eliminate all of the noise. Pros on the car are performance and styling. Head turner no matter where you go. Also can be easily modified to make more power if you need it.