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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  Trans Am - Best F-Body Ever Made! - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By zoomer2k2 - December 30 - 3:46 pm

  I love my 2002 WS.6 Trans Am. I am a previous owner of a 1989 Trans Am GTA and loved that one too. The 2002 is even better though. In a world full of me-too cars like the Mustang and cars that all look like they came from the same mold, the Trans Am stood out as being different, bold, and aggressive, more than even its own sibbling the Camaro. Every magazine always pits Mustang vs. Camaro when it talks about muscle cars but thats just PR work. It was the Trans Am that made muscle cars. think screaming chicken, smokey & the Bandit, or Knight Rider. GM did nothing to help the Fbody compete, they died not from abandonment by consumbers but by neglect from their parent, thanks GM

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  Best of the best - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By jshaag - December 30 - 6:40 am

  I have owned 4 previous Pontiacs and this is by far the best ever. Incredible power for a "family sedan". Smooth acceleration and amazing pick up. My friend just bought a BMW a few months prior and he envies my Pontiac. Fuel economy is what you would expect with this much power.

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  Great but... - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By PM - December 30 - 4:53 am

  I love it - bought it brand new in 07, but its only 2 yrs old with 23K miles & already running like my old 10 yr Chevy Cavalier! So I took it back to dealer for service; whoa, it needed 2 arm controls, a stabilizer and 3 wheel bearing - all still under warranty thank God! I asked them how much life expectancy for this vehicle, and he said that they do keep certain parts in stock for this model. I am very concerned and already considering trading it in.

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  Ugh! - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
  By kdsay - December 29 - 8:13 pm

  I was really excited to get my new minivan, with the DVD player and Dual sliding doors, but within 1 year after purchasing my 06 Pontiac Montana it has gradually fell apart, I have have to replace 2 sets of tire and tire rods and all brakes and other part having to do with the front tires, everytime I fix one thing something else false apart, the back windshield wiper just started going one day and would not turn off? The back blinker has went out several times and the front driver setbelt is broken and is going to cost over 200 to fix!! The seats are all ridiculously stained!I have had my van professionally cleaned several times and the stains will not come out! Even water!

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  Its awesome - 2006 Pontiac GTO
  By JJay374 - December 29 - 5:10 pm

  I was an avid Mustang guy until I drove the GTO, and I must say, I am hooked. The power, the handling are great. People complain the stereo being bland, I personally dont buy a HP sports car for the stereo, but thats me.

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  2001 Grand Am SE - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By rocky - December 29 - 12:20 pm

  I would never buy another car like this. I have had problems with the fuel pump ( 2 times) and the security light 2 time too. I havent even had the car for two years. Dont ever buy this car

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  BRAKES! - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 98 Grand Prix GT - December 29 - 10:00 am

  Its a exelent car, I´m 18 years old, I´m Mexican, and I own a grand prix gt, u can go at 100 miles and u dont feel a thing, the sound system is great, the only thing that i would change is the brakes.

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  Great Car to Drive... - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By pauly - December 29 - 10:00 am

  Everything is perfect except the headlight cover... Great car and Fun to drive...

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  Mini Van Seats For The Birds - 2001 Pontiac Montana
  By Big Dog - December 29 - 10:00 am

  The interior seats seem cheap. They are small and poorly made. It appears to be material over cardboard. I have less than 30k miles on an 01 and it seems to be a rattlebox. I should have bought a custom van for big comfort and good ride. Long trips create arm and leg pain???? Something is not placed correctly. I am 511" my wife 52" same for both.

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  Everything I want in a car! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By umich_81 - December 29 - 10:00 am

  Ive found the Vibe perfect for my needs. Its got a ton of cargo space once the back seats are folded down so I move all my stuff pretty easily. Ive been really impressed with the gas mileage I get, and the Vibe has a sporty feel to it. Its a very practical car on paper, but it also looks great on the road. All my friends think its a great looking car. I just graduated from college and I think it has everything I want (in terms of features, safety, gas mileage, and looks) for an affordable price.