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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  AWESOMEST CAR EVER - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ogr123 - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I love my car. If I ever get a new car i think i will by the same thing except for maybe next tiem i will get the gt or the gtp model

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  Amazingly comfortable, smooth ride - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By David H. Hagen - January 29 - 2:00 am

  This is a nice SUV; smooth ride, great responsiveness, sharp exterior. This vehicle has enough room for my three kids, my wife and me to ride in perfect comfort. Who says you have to get a family-looking vehicle to be a family man?!? ;)

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  G6 Base with 3.5L - 2008 Pontiac G6
  By nater - January 28 - 8:26 pm

  Base G6 with V6 package, sun and sound, and convenience package. Overall I am happy with it. Owned for 15 months/28000 miles so far and only one problem -- steering gear was replaced after 3 months of ownership when it started leaking. Comfortable for long trips, plenty of power (low end torque), and low road noise. Engine is well muffled unless you open it way up.

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  Never Agian - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By Never Agian - January 28 - 8:33 am

  I will never own a Pontiac again. After buying my Pontiac G6 it was in the shop two days later: Brakes, and seat belt not working. few more weeks and the fan motor was replaced. now Im living with a hard start. Also the radio not being on with start of car which resets all my info in the radio. For you that dont own, one your oil life, trip mileage, temp, time, security items, set radio stations and many more things. Also had the deal check my shocks, struts and brakes again. car sounds like it will fall apart when i hit bumps in road. i know i did not buy a expensive car but come on Pontiac take pride in your cars. All this and on 38,000 miles on it now. going to buy a Ford Fusion next month.

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  Oustanding, fun car - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By chuckford4 - January 27 - 7:40 pm

  Very solid vehicle from Pontiac. Lack of storage space is the only major setback. Performs well once in 2nd gear. Had a miserable buying experience with the dealer in Atlanta, but has been a pleasure to own. Better on gas than advertised, about 22-24 around town and over 30 on the hwy. Very good handling and styling, premium stereo is solid even with the top down at hwy speeds.

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  Good for commuting - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By willie - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Put 150K miles on it. The Transmission had to be rebuilt at 102K, after that it never shifted smoothly. Replaced Power Steering Booster Hose at 140K. Rides better with Gabriel Struts and 94T Speed Rated tires. Overall reliable, not the best ride or most comfortable but very good gas mileage and the Quad 4 (16 valves) engine never missed a beat and has good power for passing on the freeway, however is a bit noisy.

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  Maintenance - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By cpuuri - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Overall, Ive been pretty satisfied with my Grand Prix, but its reliability has been disappointing. Always - rear bushings produce a slight grinding noise on sudden/bumpy stops 30k - power steering broke down when making a tight turn in a parking lot 40-45k - gas gauge started acting up; every 3-6 months, the stereo display scrambles 55-60k - alternator went bad; friend had same prob around same mileage 70k - seal around the oil pan leaks at the rate of 1/2 qt every 3k mi.

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  allright with me - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By allright with me - January 27 - 10:00 am

  Great kid mover, the second GM minivan weve owned in three years, last one was an Olds. Kids love the TV/DVD system, especially the wireless headphones. Very comfortable leather seats, many features for the price. Like many others we considered a Honda but couldnt bring ourselves to spend $1500 over MSRP to own a vehicle with fewer standard features.

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  Very Unreliable - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Sandy - January 27 - 10:00 am

  This is the worst car I ever owned.This car has lived at the dealership since week one.In the first 30000 miles I had replace the power steering pump,the coolant bottle due to a leak,the intake manifold seal due to a leak,rotors replaced once & resurfaced once,very rough idle that the service dept cant find,noise from front end that I am told the tires are walking on the rims. The check engine light has come on & off but they can find no stored codes.I could go on forever.I work on the road & this is very inconvenient.

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  Great car, rear end is ugly though! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kmodek - January 26 - 2:06 pm

  I have an orange 04 GP and I love the way it looks except the rear end and the fact that the body hasnt changed at all since 03. The leather is wearing and I only drive about 3000 miles a year. Stereo is good. Bass is good for a stock cd system Very good handling and control in all weather and the engine can haul a$$ when you need it! The cabin room and design is nice and the trunk is huge (my last car was a Grand Marquis so Im used to lots of trunk space!) I would definitely suggest this car