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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  Main problem: Passenger side head light - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By nt1078 - February 17 - 5:03 pm

  Ive owned my 2006 G6 sedan for two years. Drove my long commute to and from work each day reliably and comfortably. Main problem with these cars is the passenger side headlight. GM used a sub quality harness which plugs the headlight assembly into the main harness. It overheats and melts (if yours hasnt yet, it will) Best thing to do is bypass the plug wiring in your own spade connectors. Headlight ground went on it too, had to wire my own. Wish there was a recall on this. Sometimes I get a check engine light which is accompanied by hard shifts. It clears up on its own. Drivers door seal leaks water. Other than that, just brakes and normal ware items. Overall car is very reliable.

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  Wouldnt buy another one. - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Pielz - February 17 - 2:00 am

  Replaced brakes at 5,000 miles. Vinyl on passenger side back door came out and had to be fixed in the body shop at 20,000 miles. Driver side electric seat broke in the up position and need a new motor put in it at 30,000 miles. New fuel pump at 35,600 miles, 500 miles after my warranty went out. New brakes and rotors at 41,000 miles. Replaced Serpentine belt at 41,000 miles. Coolant light keeps coming on and was told that the coolant was leaking into the engine, at 41,000 miles. Just waiting for the next problem.

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  Just One Thing - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By IkeDunk - February 17 - 2:00 am

  I bought the GTP used in 10-2003 and found myself stranded in 02-2004. After paying the tow and repairs totaling $800 I was informed that my pass-key III module was defective. After working with a Pontiac rep for 8 weeks they told me there was nothing they could do. Love the car, not so sure about the Pontiac service.

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  Quick and Rock Solid - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Gran AM Owner - February 16 - 4:10 pm

  I own a 2003 Pontiac Grand Am SE V6 and i am so glad i bought this car. It has been very good for me its quick really quick and with the stuff i do to it im surprised it hasnt broke in two. It hasnt had any problems except last week the fuel pump went out which for your information is really common for Pontiac Grand Ams Chevy Malibus of 99-03 and Olds-mobile Aleros its just a chronic problem just like nissans and brake failure anyway my dads slammed the car into a curb going 40 in ice and nothing happened to it didnt even get out of alignment tell me one car that does that i could keep going on but i dont have enough space but for quality and performance this is the best car.

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  pontiac - 2000 Pontiac Bonneville
  By alanna - February 16 - 10:00 am

  Very sporty car but for a family there is not enough leg room in the back.

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  Save your Money - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By unhappy buyer - February 15 - 7:13 pm

  I have had to alternators installed, both front stabilizer bars installed, power rear window bracket installed, does not have a lot of power to get onto the freeways. The air conditioning does not work all the time, it cuts in and out ( more out than in ) in traffic, better to open the windows. I have been a GM buyer for a long time but after this one I think I will change.

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  Wow. Awesome car. - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Snowman - February 15 - 3:10 pm

  Much much better than I expected. Tried ALL midsize cars, both foreign and domestic and this was the clear winner. Fast, quiet, handles excellently at both high speed and low. Tracks very well. Excellent stability system and the brakes drag you to a stop faster than an aircraft carrier landing deck. If you have a bias against the Pontiac name, I suggest you try this car. My Saab-loving wife drove it once and decided that this was the best car going for the price -- 27,600$ with leather and airbags and a few other toys.

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  Awesome car - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Seth - February 14 - 2:13 pm

  This car is great! I sell Pontiacs and this is something that is an easy sell. The car rides like a dream with comfortable seats and awesome power. I love the look. I smile every time I get out of it.

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  A lot of Mechanical Problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By vgopaul - February 13 - 5:16 am

  I have had this car for going on four years. My driver side motor window went out, I have had to replace the timing belt, ball joints, get a new radiator, replace my entire power steering, heater coil, rocking pena (however that’s spelled), not to mention typical ware and tare on the car such as brakes (which I expect to pay for). I couldnt believe it because I take really good care of that car. I had a Pontiac before this and experienced the same problems. I will never by a GM product again. It is a very nice car, but mechanically it has costs me thousands. My entire family buys Pontiacs, but after two experiences like this in a row- it behooves us to purchase these vehicles.

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  Good on the Pocketbook - 2005 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Amgrand - February 13 - 1:13 am

  This is a first vehicle for me. But I have driven many. This is a nice small car that is still sporty enough that it doesnt look like something your grandma would drive. Very convenient.