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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  You Auto Goat Buy One! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Jim P. - January 15 - 9:10 pm

  I like the style better than the 99 Camaro I traded. This car looks great in my garage, and goes like a demon on the street. Traction control is almost idiot-proof on wet roads. I will not drive in snow, so it will stay off PA roads until April. I have put 1100 miles on it in the 3 weeks I had to drive it!

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  Great car! - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Dadga567 - January 15 - 10:00 am

  Great daily vehicle. Good on snowy and Ice, excellent handling and acceleration. The leather was great and the inside looked cool. I would buy another

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  One little problem - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By masmad - January 15 - 10:00 am

  I have had my G6 for about 5 months now and it has 25,000 miles on it. It seems that around the front end where the motor is there is a clunking noise, sounds like the front end is going to drop out. It has nothing to do with the engine it is something else and we cant figure out what it is?..I am a little upset about this problem..

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  2009 Pontiac Vibe-GT - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Larry S. Pitts - January 15 - 9:26 am

  I only have about 600 miles on this car as it was purchased in late April-08. So far it has more than met my expectations. I traded in a large SUV that averaged about 14mpg. The 1st tank of gas I put in the Vibe averaged 26mpg and was all in town driving. I was very surprised that the 2.4-4 cyl engine had the pep that it does. Its a great car to drive.

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  Comfort with a kick. - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By JusFlyinBy - January 15 - 4:10 am

  I was shopping around most of May for Mazda RX-8s, BMW 3 series, Mustang GTs, Infiniti G35s, Nissan 350Zs and Subaru STis. I never gave the GTO a thought. I just wasnt interested. Thats until one day a salesperson convinced me to take a look and drive the GTO. I humored him and gave it a good look over and a drive and it just about changed my mind on the spot. Do a comparison, the GTO gives you everything these other cars have and more in some cases for the cheapest insurance and cost! Youll quickly grow on the bland exterior and start to see it as a clean, sharp design. Pics dont do justice. Go take an 06 out even if you arent interested, youll likely change your mind like I did.

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  Love this car......... - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By diesel - January 15 - 4:06 am

  Ive owned a lot of new cars and old muscle cars, this GTO drives and rides solid. Lots of fun (and power) too. Will likely get the 05 or 06 at some point.

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  Wonderful Experience - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By Bruce - January 13 - 10:20 am

  Probably the best car I have ever owned! You sit up high, killer sound system and best of all the Heads Up Display on the windshield (no tickets ever). 140,000 miles and have only had to replace some front and rear bulbs. I can take out the back seats and fit in full 4X8 sheets of plywood and close the hatch. I have a hitch and I pull my 2 carrier motorcycle trailer loaded with ease. Ive had people out in public tell me my car is ugly, but I always liked the futuristic styling, reminds me of a vehicle from the movie Bladerunners. Wish I could get a new one! Sorry the Pontiac brand is now gone!

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  Fun in the Sun, not in the winter - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By amanda - January 13 - 2:23 am

  Th car has a smooth power band, good in the snow, fair MPG (18-20city 24-26 hwy) nice extra features like in dash cd changer/auto lights, onstar... Inside has a cheap plastic look and feel. Hard to see out some winodws do to huge A and C pillers(sides of front & rear glass). Cup holders in very bad location when trying to shift into 2/4. COLDER areas beware, in the winter do to the way the windows are designed in the winter the snow/frost can freeze the window in the UP position, not allowing door to close without running a credit card along the seal first, window may break if you try and close in the UP position!! impossible to swap out radio for aftermarket

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  Not a bad American made car - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Dean - January 12 - 6:26 pm

  A stable, fun to drive car with lots of good features and only a few not so good. I enjoy it much more with the top down than up due to the poor visibility with the top up. Gauges are hard to read and the seats are odd but as soon as the turbo kicks in it brings a smile to my face.

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  A Toyota in a GM skin - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Frank - January 12 - 2:56 pm

  People contemplating getting a Toyota Matrix should buy the Vibe instead. It is assembled in California by union members (Matrix is non-union). Its a lovely car which sparks a lot of interest, is fun to drive, is very utilitarian, and has great gas mileage. Fit and finish are great. Standard stereo sound system is fine as well. Should retain its value, especially with gas at over $3/gal.