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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  Just Bought - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Goatman - December 20 - 7:13 pm

  I have had my 2006 GTO for all of two days now. I took the day off work to just drive it around. I had a blast with it and plan on having many more days just like today. I recently sold a 1971 Oldsmobile 442 with a slightly built Olds 455. I restored the car and it was my baby. When I found myself in the market for a new car I needed one with power. I found out the Challenger if coming out with a 5.7L and was turned off by the thought of the price for the upgrade when it becomes available. I tested the Mustang GT and the GTO and immediately knew the GTO was the better of the two. Considering where the market is going, the exterior styling could be better, but I still love the looks.

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  In the shop a lot! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Joanna - December 19 - 10:33 pm

  I have taken my 2006 Torrent in to get fixed more than id like to say. The one thats bothering me the most is that during the past 23,000 miles I have had the bearings replaced 3 times... this is not normal, correct? It is in the shop right now and since it is no longer under warranty, they will not pay for the bearings to be replaced again. I am so frustrated and do not know what to do. Any advice?

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  2006 Pontiac Vibe - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Roland Charriez - December 19 - 5:10 am

  Its been a great car. Great gas mileage for an AWD. Cargo space is amazing. Low maintenance and still fun to drive and wonderful in the snow.

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  Cross Country Driver - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By MLL - December 17 - 7:13 pm

  Rented vehicle for cross country trip from Seattle to New Jersey and back with a side trip to Northern California....9000 miles in all over a months time...vehicle ran great adequate room for three fully loaded with cargo and then some...vehicle was fully loaded,comfortable ride considering the amount of driving,wife enjoyed driving and sitting up high..like the look (SUV)but more than enough room (minus the seats)....Would highly consider buying if in the market.

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  98 GTP - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By kwicslvr - December 17 - 10:00 am

  Fun car to fix up for performance and handling or to leave stock.

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  2001 Bonneville SSEI - 2001 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Matty H - December 17 - 10:00 am

  I have owned this car for a little over a year. What a pleasure it is to drive! Plenty of power, comfort and performance. Only downfall is the low profile tires in snowy weather. I currently have 34,000 miles without a signle problem.

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  reliable, economical car! - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By mike_sinclair - December 17 - 6:16 am

  bought the car in august of 2007 as an 08 model Ive had this car for six years now and i am amazed, this is a great little economical car great in Canadian winters never had a problem no lights ever came on only thing that i had to replace is the sway bar (links)(my fault) only because I travel on a lot of bumpy roads and dirt roads a lot of the time and about 80% of my driving is city driving barely highway kms, the car has about 200,000 kms on it again never had any problems at all no noises or service lights never hesitated to start all ways started right up like the day I bought it, and i have to admit i dont take the best care of my cars it has a couple dents(me) very reliable car!!!

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  My first Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By rbrazil - December 17 - 6:00 am

  I do a lot of stop and go driving and this car keeps me happy zipping from place to place. One annoying thing is the button below the steering column, I bump my knee on it (Im a short legged gal and I like the steering wheel up close). Also, its a long reach back to turn the overhead light on and off. Great space in the back, like the way the window will open separately from the hatch. No OnStar, which would have been nice. The hood prop broke almost immediately. Otherwise its a fun car, great looks, great gas mileage, love the sunroof!

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  Love this car - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Drew - December 16 - 6:13 pm

  So I just came home with a Yellow 04 GTO and I am loving everything about this car. It has the power of an american muscle car but not the crappy quality of the majority of american cars today since its built in Austrailia. It really does have the build quality like a european car but the raw power of an american bad boy car! Yes some may say the styling is bland but I personally get looks and people trying to talk to me about the car all the time. My girlfriend gets annoyed when we pull up to a light and another guy is trying to yell at us through the window to talk about the car. At first I wasnt totally sure about the yellow color choice but its grown on me and I wouldnt change a thing!

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  This is crap from a lemon! - 2005 Pontiac Montana
  By Mike - December 16 - 1:36 am

  We bought it with 50,000 km on it and in the first month the brakes had to be done and the heater fan went. Very uncomfortable if your over 6. Cloth seats stain badly, nice whistle sound at freeway speed, 20,000 km later brakes are gone again, tranny hesitates, slider doors dont close properly, center fold up consul was thrown out the first day, ext. trim falling off, electronics malfunctioning on a regular basis.