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 Car for a Good Price - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ND_OLE - January 20 - 6:46 am

  After owning a 97 GASE coupe for 3 years I was thrilled to get my 03 GAGT SC/T coupe in December as a Christmas present to myself. I love the exterior design especially with the SC/T package. Mine is one of the few bright red SC/T coupes and it always gets attention whenever I take it out. Since this is my daily driver (I have a 100 mile/day commute to work) interior comfort was a must, and my GAGT doesnt disappoint. So far with 41k miles (bought it with 17.5K) the only thing to go wrong was the blower motor resistor, a typical problem for the 99+ GAs. Would definitely recommend this car to anyone who is looking for a sporty car on a budget.

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  Safe & comfortable but very sporty look! - 2009 Pontiac G6
  By Cindy - January 20 - 2:50 am

  Bought this for our 17 year old daughter, great safety and reliability ratings plus she loves the look along with its comfort in the front and back. Received the highest reliability ratings from consumer reports and Five Stars from the govt crash test ratings.

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  2006 Pontiac Grand Prix - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By chevymaster_08 - January 20 - 12:13 am

  Recently I have taken ownership of a 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix. It is, overall, a very excellent car. It drives smooth and has a very powerfully V6 engine, even though it is only 200hp. Like most Pontiacs, the market is saturated with them, but that doesnt change the fact that it is a cool car to look at. The interior might be my favorite though due to the jet-like details.

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  Love it - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Ryan - January 19 - 8:13 am

  Have had this car for almost a year now. Only problem Ive had with it is the manifold gasket, other than that it is an excellent daily driver very reasonable on gas yet still has enough power to have a little fun. I love the simplicity of the interior design (I have the charcoal gray int.)

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  GTP - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Shaun - January 19 - 4:03 am

  I love this car. It is fun to drive and has plenty of power to get up and go. I have had many coment son how nice it looks when I pull up to a gas station. I have had a 96 GTP and now an 04 and they dont compare. This car has the best response when driving on the highway. I can pass very easy and in city driving it is great with cornering. Great car! Definetly fuel for the soul!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  Blue Green Crystal LOVED by ALL!! - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Celeste - January 18 - 11:46 am

  We love this car, great on trips, lots of leg room for 63" man driving. Back seat has room for 6 son if seated behind front seat pulled forward one notch. BLUE GREEN CRYSTAL IS FABULOUS COLOR!!! EVERY ONE SAYS SOMETHING ABOUT LOVING THE COLOR!!!! It looks blue in some light, green in others and purple under parking lot lights at night!!! It even looks blue and green at the same time, on different planes of the cars surface!! Handles great, no matter the weather, or driving conditions, love the onstar feature, husband used it when he got lost, (WOW) Monsoon sound system to die for, XM clear as a bell

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  Looks are deceiving - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By johnsoka606 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Great sound system, rides good, fun to drive, nice interior, very unreliable, electronic dashboard has bugs in it, not good gas mileage, alternators are bad

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  The money Pit - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By k krus - January 17 - 10:00 am

  this vechiles resale is the worst I have ever seen , It has had more problems than any other car I have ever owned, and then you cant get rid of the thing because it has drop so much in resale value.I would not recommend the AZTEK to anyone.

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  FUN CAR - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By MUSIK - January 17 - 10:00 am

  I HAVE HAD THE CAR 30 DAYS AND I LOVE IT. IT RIDES WELL, HAS GOOD ALL AROUND VISIBILITY. SOME OF THE FEATURES, LIKE THE COVERS INSIDE HATCH WHERE THE LIGHTS ARE COULD BE BETTER QUALITY AND THE STORAGE DRAWER IN FRONT IS TACKY. THE 115 VOLT PLUG IS A GOOD IDEA. IT WILL BE GREAT FOR HAULING LIGHT THINGS LIKE BICYCLES. THE FOLD DOWN SEATS ARE GREAT TOO. SUN ROOF TILTS OR OPENS! I THINK I PAID TOO MUCH THOUGH! WHO CARES YOU ONLY LIVE ONCE

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  Great Car But...... - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By TNuss915 - January 17 - 10:00 am

  Brake noise! This is my 2nd GT. My first was a 2000. I love the car but wont buy another one, because the brake noise. It sounds like the pads are dragging but there not. Ive had it to the dealership several times and they say its because of what the rotors are made of. I have talked to other Grand Am driver and they have the same problem. It is annoying to the point that it ruins the car.