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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  Rockin Red Wagon - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By cieglo - May 31 - 12:23 am

  Ive been looking at the vibe and its ever-more-numerous competitors (ZX5, Mazda3-5door, protoge5, PT Cruiser) and its Matrix twin, but all along I knew I wanted the Vibe. I drove a GT a year ago and loved it...but it took that long to find a used one all optioned-up and for a reasonable price. Now, a week later, I love it. Drives great, feels gret on the road, looks great inside and out. Even with 25,000miles on it when I bought it it looks and feels brand new. Did I mention it drives great? Everyone who sees it likes it. Ive loaded it up with gear, driven it like a race-car, hauled passengers, cranked the stereo and everything comes up smelling like roses...all good!

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  Great Style Well Built - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Mike Torres - May 30 - 1:13 am

  I love sports cars. When this vehicle was on the drawing boards I kept articles on it. When delivered it fully met my expectations. I purchased mine with a convertible acoustic roof (thick). It drives very quite, has a great stereo system, and handles very well. On turns it hugs the road. I have not had any mechnical issues at all with my car. If you need to make an emergency stop, this car stops very quick with no loss of control. This car handles very well and looks like a corvette from the rear, yet has a european sports look from the front. Depending on the color you pick it can look sporty or luxurious. Only change I would recommend is different daytime dashboard lighting on some gauges

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  Have twins! - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By bought2nd - May 29 - 7:33 pm

  Bought a 1.8 liter in March for my wife. I liked it so much that when I found a used one on the internet, I went and bought it. Did not realize it was a 2.4 liter. Has more power that the 1.8, but fuel economy is still good (approx 27) city driving.

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  trade in value - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By pappythomas - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Car rides very good and the mileage is good,

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  Ugly Duck gives you a bang for your buck - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By B. Adams - May 29 - 10:00 am

  Captains chairs are great except for skinny armrests which are not comfortable at all. Car gets fantastic gas mileage...Car is exceptionally heavy compared to other SUVs but get the 16" wheels for much better handling.Car is sluggish and acceleration is only fair. Cornering is another challenge. ABS brakes are ok but again youve got a lot of weight to stop...The Aztek is super roomy with great head room.. The biggest problem with this car is rear visibility-there is none...there is a major design flaw with the back end.If you like a car that is different and cost a GM V.P.of design his job...the Aztek is for you.

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  big bang for low buck - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By stankemp - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I have 138000 miles on the car now. Specs are :Formula pkg+sport suspension+6 speed. Tires replaced with Dunlop Sport 9000s-no hydroplane , big bite in the curves. Everyone in the family likes to drive this car! Some early problems with wiper controls/speed control and headlight motor. Also need to replace a stress cracked windshield.No problems since 25k miles.

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  True Muscle Car! - 2000 Pontiac Firebird
  By RLG - May 29 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car for 2 years now. It is the best car I have ever had. The Mustang owner I come across must hate it. Not one stang has beat this beast.

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  The Grand Am - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jrcunningham - May 29 - 10:00 am

  The Grand Am is my favorite car. Im on my 2nd one...the only thing that would keep me from buying a third would be if someone gave me a Firebird. =)

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  fast and fun but not perfect - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By adm1972 - May 29 - 9:53 am

  I bought my 2004 grand prix gt used last winter i had the dash airduct cover replaced because i was warped. It has some interior rattles but other than that it has been a reliable car. The EPA ratting for this car is 20-30 mpg the best i have ever received is 26.7 and i drive it 27 miles to work each day. I personally think that they should change the rating to 19- 27. It is a fun to drive car the seats are a little hard. For pontiac owners it might be ok but im not a true fan of this car. I plan to trade it in on a Chrysler 300 or Dodge Charger next year.

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  Never buy another Pontiac - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Gary Keister - May 29 - 7:00 am

  Lets start out by saying I have been a Chevy/gm person my whole life and grew up in a family the same way. However I am so disappointed in my grand prix at the constant repairs with such low mileage. At 20,000 had the transmission pulled and repaired along with a wiring harness. Soon after the car had a very bad oil leak. Now at 57,000 the abs light is on water pump needs replacing. I have coolant running out and will cost me around $800 because the labor is long . GM decided to make you tear 1/2 the engine apart to do this job. I never thought I would drive anything but gm but I am going to do the thing that bothers me most, buy foreign.