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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  The best Pontiac has out there - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Keaton - February 19 - 1:46 am

  Basically a $30,000 BMW 5 series. This is the nicest car Pontiac has ever put out. People keep asking me if it is the new designed. It is nothing like it. Pontiac built it differently from the ground up. Almost a perfect 50/50 weight distribution makes this car handle better than most. And the styling is very up to date, but does not resemble any other car out there. I would suggest at least a test drive from anybody. If you look at this car like any other old Pontiac you will definitely sell yourself short!

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  Excellent. - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Drusus - February 18 - 6:16 pm

  The G6 is an excellent car, the best Pontiac I have ever driven. The interior is comfortable, the seats firm and supportive, controls easy to operate and read. Mine has the 6CD Monsoon system, which sounds and feels magnificent. The engine is top-notch, and the car offers a surprising amount of power. The ride is smooth and very quiet. Passenger room is at a premium. My only issue comes with the electronic steering. It transmits very little feel of the road back to the drivers hands, and is very overboosted at some speeds, while the other day in a parking lot I had almost no boost at all. Its still buggy, I think. Overall, the G6 is a great vehicle.

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  GTO Got To gO - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By jake - February 18 - 10:06 am

  This was the most fun I have ever had driving a car. The sensation when you push the throttle is mind blowing. The steering is crisp and responsive, you definitely feel in control even when your slinging around a corner. Inside is roomy for a sports car (it maybe hard to get in/out the rear but its comfortable once inside). All in all the only complaint I have is there is a defect in the ignition that causes it to seize (mine was fixed by the dealership in an afternoon).

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  Pontiac G6 - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Frank E - February 18 - 8:30 am

  Very reliable and fun to drive. I have to drive 20 miles to work one way and needed to upgrade from an 8 mpg truck. The new G6 has gone above and beyond my expectations by getting over 22 mpg on the streets and I personally have seen over 40-55 mpg on the highway!!! The 6 speaker sounhd system on the G6 is incredible for a stock system, but 2 more speakers would be nice in the rear doors to make it surround sound.. XM radio free for 3 months, and I will be keeping it too. The in-dash cd player is a welcomed convenience in a mid- sized sedan. I love the factory remote start. My opinion of the Pontiac G6 is that GM made an awesome mid-size car suitable for a big guy like me.

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  Good Driving Car, Solid - 1997 Pontiac Firebird
  By Jake2007 - February 17 - 10:30 pm

  This car is an excellent car to drive, its real solid, the power is not too bad either, the formulas were actually faster than the Trans Ams, with a 5.7 second 0-60 compared to the Trans Ams 6.1 second 0-60.

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  Good reliable car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By DArcy - February 16 - 5:13 pm

  Almost 10 years old and going strong. Two engine gasket replacements, one on warranty were the only items out of ordinary wear and tear. Good reliable car.

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  Whats not to like? - 2001 Pontiac Aztek
  By Luvinhomebrew - February 16 - 7:16 am

  I have a 55" eleven year old and a 50" nine year old. Big people run in my family. My boys not only fit into the Aztec, they LOVE it, and theyll be able to fit in it when theyre in high school! I took out a Le Sabre before I took out the Aztec, and found the ride was the same. I thought the ride would be typical SUV. I wouldnt buy no sissy ride!

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  I LOVE my Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Hez - February 15 - 4:53 pm

  The Vibe, by far, is the roomiest and best-riding car in its class and it is very fun to drive. Having previously driven a Suburban, surprisingly, I do NOT feel like my bottom is dragging on the ground. This car was purchased primarily for driving around town with kids in tow. There is plenty of room in the back for them being in car seats. My dog even enjoys riding in the "trunk"! For those of you who think the Vibe is comparable to the Dodge Caliber, youre thinking WRONG! I drove the Caliber and the Vibe in the same day and there is NO comparison. The fuel economy is also great. I just filled up my tank in the Vibe and calculated 26 mpg city driving in 3rd gear! (see improvements)

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  My 1st Brand New Car......The GTP - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Slick Steve - February 15 - 10:00 am

  This car is EXCELLENT! Ive had other cars before, all used, but this one is the my 1st brand new car. I had a 98 Grand Prix SE right before this one that gave me the insight that I liked this car already before I bought it. I was right. The 240HP supercharged engine has great power and the interior with full options with leather seats is awesome. The exterior on a GTP is also nicer than on the basic SE model on the front end of the model. With the options, the car has it all when it comes to comfort. Also for 23k the car is very well priced when compared to other mid-size sedans that cost about 27k through 30k with about the same performance.

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  Definite Improvement by Pontiac - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By jwoerth - February 15 - 10:00 am

  My new 04 Grand Prix GTP is great. Handles crisp and accelerates more than adequately. This car flat out blows away its comparable competition and is a vast improvement form the previous GP model.