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 for the money...kind of - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By Busy Mom - May 16 - 3:50 pm

  Good looks inside and out help make up for the lack of HP (185) in comparison to some other SUVs. The A/C lacks in hot weather. Dealer says they dont work as well when its hot out. Works great in cool/mild weather. Fun ride and very roomy. The sliding back seat is great.

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  CompG Package makes big difference - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Aeroheadcww - May 16 - 1:00 am

  My GP is equipped with the CompG performance package which includes: Head Up Display, Tap Shift, higher gear ratios, stiffer rear sway bar, and red brake calipers, maybe a few other things. The gear ratios dramatically improve acceleration and the sway bar makes this thing handle like a dream. It still maintains a quiet comfortable ride on the highway but is rigid during spirited driving. My biggest complaint about the car is the shifting performance in standard automatic mode, it just doesnt downshift quickly enough and lets the RPM fall well below the power band before it switches to a lower gear. This is alleviated by the Tap Shift system which will let you shift manually.

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  2003 PONTIAC SUNFIRE - 2003 Pontiac Sunfire
  By TOM NIEZNAY - May 14 - 1:30 pm

  I love to drive my sunfire because it is great on gas and for a 4 cylinder engine it has a lot of power. The sporty appearance is great and it has a roomy trunk. The sound system with cd player is awesome. The automatic transmission shifts really smoothly. Best thing about GM cars is the transmission.

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  Highly Recommended GTP - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By fredee - May 14 - 5:50 am

  Good power. Good mileage. Average over30 if you stay at the speed limit. Wish the GTP model was better identified from the exterior. Hard to tell it from any other Grand Prix.

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  Overall - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By Tim - May 13 - 2:40 pm

  I have had two Montanas both ext4dr the first was I feel the best one it was a 98 and It had 180,000 miles on it I bought it with 60,000 miles and only had to replace the map sensor no problems after that my 04 I have now I have just under 120,000 miles and have had Transmission problems with, fuel rail, injectors, coil,trans-axle,and interior flaws also I dont like the head light seals or the wiring for the taillight issues I replace the taillights and head lights almost on a monthly basis.

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  Ugly Car but Fun to drive - 2003 Pontiac Aztek
  By GM Owner15 - May 12 - 10:00 am

  I have had many GM cars in my life, and belive it or not this one drives the best. It has a very smooth ride, you site high off the ground and can see everything around you. steering is tight, and all controls are within reach.

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  Love the car but too many problems - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By aczorn - May 12 - 10:00 am

  Replaced brakes(rotors and pads)at 19000 miles (warranty), power steering rack replaced at 30700 miles (warranty), replaced front struts and strut mounts ($1157.60) at 40308 miles, coolant light began flashing off and on because of a leaking intake manifold gasket. Had to replace it (918.00 - dealer absorbed the cost). Turn signal switch replaced - 139.15. Driver side window motor had to be replaced - 360.00. Brakes have been replaced (rotors and pads) twice in 2002. Instrument panel fuse blew. I am still paying the car note. Whats next?

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  American Beauty - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Frank Lewis - May 12 - 10:00 am

  This car is the most beautiful car ever GMC produced. I was always very cautious about buying GMC car. , but a latest show in Boston area expo this model strike me and I decide to buy one, Oh ofcourse I was looking at the Maxima 2004. I took it for a ride and I was not empress at all, all I can see is a big dash board in front of me, it reminded me like the beatle. I am amazed with this car engine power, performance, handling, taking off, stoping you name it, I fully enjoy driving this American Beauty.

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  Mezmerized - 2008 Pontiac Solstice
  By Hypnotized - May 12 - 6:56 am

  In 4 weeks I now have 2800 miles. Car is too fun. Did a weekend trip to Laughlin, NV and averaged 31.8 mpg. Noticed many people speed up to see my car, almost as if they are trying to figure out what kind of car it is. Definitely this is a chick magnet. I love all the attention the women give me just for a ride.

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  Outstanding Value, a Few Minor Issues - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By bill - May 11 - 11:33 pm

  Ive owned my very fun-to-drive Vibe GT for ~2 weeks and so far I love it, although I agree with others that there are a few things that it could use improvements which keep it from being a 10. I love the styling compared to its competitors (much cooler looks compared to Versa, Matrix, Fit, 10 Mazda3[what did they do to this cars front end?]). I love the value; it has everything you need a few great extras, and you can get a loaded GT for ~$19K if you shop around (again better than the competition). Nice standard extras are Monsoon w/ XM radio, OnStar, steering wheel controls, leather accents, ABS, traction, 18" alloys. Also love the cargo versatility of the hatchback.