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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  Nice, but not perfect... - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By PACMAN - January 30 - 1:26 am

  Great styling, very comfy to drive. But after 5000 miles, dashboard rattling (dealer "cant locate source") and clutch chatters and car almost stalls in first gear. Has since day 1 and three dealers all say..."designed that way...nothing wrong..try easing away from lights very gently". Huh? Its a sports car, for crissake! If I wanted to "ease" away from lights, I would have bought a Prius! On the road, driving verymoderately, the car gets about 25 MPG tops at 60 MPH.

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  Will it last 3 years? Doubt it. - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kita - January 27 - 10:00 am

  NOT a good value. Afraid this car wont make it through my 3 year lease. Already had serviced a few times. Hearing more troubling sounds from the engine, doors, and other places. Had in for RECALL. Only a few months of driving (less than 5K miles) my GTP seems to be losing its gusto. "Power on demand" was right- on at first but now seems like "power when it wants to not when I want to." Stalled twice coming down driveway with a few more close calls. Watch out for jerky take offs. Monsoon speakers sound blown without ever blaring the stereo. Not worth it if its not crisp and clear. What happened to taking a little pride in ones work? Shame on you GM.

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  GM wont take responsibility - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By S, Theresa - January 22 - 2:43 am

  Its very comfortable for traveling with adults and kids. Plenty of leg room for adults and storage for kids. Lots of sturdy cup holders. But this engine is NOT reliable. Head gaskets replaced 12 months ago. Been repaired by GM Certified Mechanic for overheating 5 times since and cracked another head. We shut it off immediately and towed it every time. GM will do nothing to help with this reoccuring and common problem in GMs with DexCool. Do you homework first. In the two years weve owned it, its required $5000 in repairs!!!

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  My Grand Am GT sucks too - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Eunity T - January 17 - 2:06 am

  I had to get new rotors after one month, new struts, bushing, fuel sensor, serpentine belt, wheel sensors, seat motor, 2 new batteries that only lasted 2 years a piece, had an intake gasket leak, and now it needs a new rod and pinion and a water pump. Im sure Im forgetting some of the other problems Ive had with it. After my extended warranty expires Im getting rid of this crappy car.

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  Fooled again!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BGRPW - January 16 - 4:36 am

  After many weeks of car hunting and test driving the decision was made to purchase the Gran Prix ... a few weeks of driving this vehicle, I was disappointed with the many "gliches" this vehicle came with examples:poor workmanship on the interior, the rattles that came with the under body (only to be told it had something to do with the bracket that held the speaker system in the car I was charged for the "repair cost" AND the tech fees), horrible air conditioning quality...several trips back to the dealership .... let alone the inconvenience it caused me including the "costs" i was responsible for....I would never purchase another nor would I influenece anyone else to purch

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  Fun but big problems - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Danfish85 - January 10 - 10:00 am

  Its been a fun car that im forced to get rid of. Its been plagued with random problems since i bought it. Lots and lots of electrical problems. Ive replaced alternator multiple times, battery countless times, starter, random sensors and wires, ball join, etc.

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  1995 Pontiac Grand Am - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By srw - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This vehicle was very reliable out of the 7 years that we owned it. It was sleek and easy to handle, with a V-6 engine it had a lot of get up and go. The Pontiac Grand Am is not designed for carrying lots of people or baggage though..perfect for a single person or a couple without children. The passenger side seatbelt constantly got stuck in the car door...it never would automatically retract...I read that this was a common complaint among 1995 Grand Am owners.

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  fun to drive, but Im disappointed - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Wisconsinite - December 20 - 7:40 am

  2.4 l automatic with sunroof and sound package. Its fun to drive, but I think the sunroof sucks up about 2 mpg. I have never gotten over 30 mpg in the 5,000 miles Ive driven it. I drive about 80% highway and 20 small town (no traffic jams) and get 27-28 mpg with conservative driving. Im disappointed b/c I hoped Id get what others reported during the months before I purchased. The ride is really rough, too. If I knew Id get this mpg, Id probably have stuck with another Sebring with a cushy ride. Also, in order to get the roof rack, I had to pay for custom wheels, so the option was really about another $1,000. I will probably trade it in the spring for a different American vehicle.

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  Bummer - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By luvmydal - December 13 - 9:20 pm

  I bought my car brand new and was so excited about it. A year into it I started to have problems with it, and continue to, to this day. I own it for 3 years now and am currently out car shopping because I cant take the problems anymore. The car has been in for the same thing about 4-5 times and they can never find what I am describing. For 2 years now it makes a very high-pitched squeak and also creaking from the wheel shaft. We told them to replace, but would not. As I drive straight, take turns, the noises are always there and my passengers hear it, too. The moon roof rattles when open. A part of the seat belt and mirror also brooken.

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  Grand Prix for 99 - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Rambler - December 7 - 2:00 am

  With 10 trips to the dealer to get a rattle in the dash fixed (which is still there), 3 HUDs and numerous other dash parts replaced, the build quality is poor. The door panels have also pulled away from the doors. The floor shift lever has broken twice. Look to the Europeons or Japanese for your next car.