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 Cruiser - 2002 Pontiac Bonneville
  By 2XBonnie - August 28 - 10:00 am

  This is my 2nd Bonnie. Ive had it 3 months. Replaced the front windshield (defective), had the windshield washed fixed and have one rattle that I fixed - they couldnt get the job done at the dealer. Jeez. The car is comfortable and roomy - good sized trunk. A good highway cruiser but not a good handling car in the twisties. VG standard radio. OK seats.

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  One cool car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By JD - August 28 - 4:30 am

  Its been a fun and nice car to have. But at only 21,000 miles im already having problems with belts and rotors. It would be better i think to have it as a awd drive car with 305hp. Other than that i love all the features.

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  Small car gas mileage with an SUV feel - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By Sherry - August 28 - 2:43 am

  My family was outgrowing our small Chevy Cavalier, but I didnt want to give up the 34 MPG I was getting on the drive to work. I researched about 10 different vehicles, and the Vibe just cannot be beat for both price and fuel economy. Not to mention the rear cargo area that my sons can toss their football gear into! And the car is great looking---kind of like a cross between a station wagon & SUV. I also noticed that it rides "too well" at higher speeds. I have to keep my eye on the speedometer while on the interstate because twice I found myself driving way too fast without even knowing it! I recommend using your cruise control until youre used to how well the vehicle drives.

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  Bringing the fun of driving back - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By Stang Killer - August 28 - 12:40 am

  Living in one of the most traffic congested in the country, I have forgotten what its like to have fun while driving until I purchased my Goat. This car is a true sleeper. It doesnt look like a muscle car but surprise. I have raced a stock 06 Vette, Charger SRT8, and numerous Mustangs and none of them can get me off the line. All the power you ever wanted is one mash of the gas pedal away.

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  If you have one of these, sell it! - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ahnalia - August 26 - 12:36 pm

  First the ICP had to be replaced, then the transmission started acting up, then the key wouldnt come out of the ignition, but the final straw is the fact at a mere 25 mile per hour front end collsion, the car I hit was fine with very little damage.. my sunfire on the otherhand, was completely and utterly destroyed. The airbags did deploy, and no one was seriously hurt, but the car itself, I am beyond words of how utterly destroyed the car is. Total loss, engine is nearly inside the dashboard, window shattered, hood is almost up to the windshield. Flimsy design and completely unsafe IMO. If you own one of these, sell it NOW! You may be saving a life! I will NEVER buy another GM car-ever!

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  Sad To See Pontiac Go - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By indianmike - August 25 - 12:24 pm

  I bought the car new in December 2003 and am still driving it in 2013 with 105,000 miles. Got the GTP and it still accelerates like a champ and handles very well. Im pleased with the interior with easy to use controls, plus it fits me like a glove. This car is big but doesnt feel too big like our Chevy Monte Carlo. Excellent factory stereo, heads up display that should be in every vehicle and a reliable 3.8 engine. The paint still sparkles, the chrome wheels look great and the body style isnt embarrassing for a 10 year old car. The problems Ive experienced are a recurring problem with the traction control and body squeaks that drive me crazy. Too much plastic in the interior.

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  RIPPED OFF!!!! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By raecheal - August 25 - 10:00 am

  I love the body style of the car well pretty much everything about the car would have been great but unfourtantly I am a female and they figured that they could pretty much scew me over. But I have also learned that Pontiac vehicles not just Grand Am vechicles are notorious for engine problems if they are the 3400 series engines so my suggestion would be not to by a car with a 3400 series engine make sure you have a 3800. They are nice cars but you just have to get a good one I guess. Or maybe the manufactures just make them look nice. But that is my opinion.

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  2003 Aztec - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By glx42134 - August 25 - 10:00 am

  The Aztec is a great riding vehicle. It has good handling, sits high up, smooth ride, and is very functionable for everyday use.

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  VERY NICE DRIVE - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By MARC CLAPP - August 25 - 10:00 am

  HIGHWAY RIDE IN VERY NICE. CRUISES AT 80+ VERY COMFORTABLY. AERODYNMAMICS MAKE IT EXCEPTIONALLY STABLE IN STRONG CROSSWINDS FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT CAR. HANDLES NICELY....FLAT IN TURNS. SOMETIMES YOU WISH ACCELERATION FROM 40 TO 60 MPH WAS STRONGER, BUT 30+ MPG IN SUBURB DRIVING IS WELCOME WITH HIGH GAS$$. LOVE SPLIT FOLD-DOWN REAR SEAT AND HARD FLOORING. HANDLES 5 BODIES AMAZINGLY WELL WITH REARSEAT UP. HEADROOM IS GOOD, ESPECIALLY IN REARSEATS!

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  Fun to drive - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By Barbara Chapman - August 25 - 12:23 am

  This is a really fun car to drive. It handles great. I also love the cute design of the exterior.