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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  My first car, and not a bad one - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By liqnitrous - October 29 - 2:00 am

  This car is great. Its my first car, and being 17 years old, its not that bad of a car. It really does give off the teenager sporty look to it. Fun to drive and nice sound system.

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  Very Nice Car - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Justin G. - October 29 - 2:00 am

  The car has been awesome. So far 5,000 miles and not a glitch. Handles great, looks great, great milage, great comfort.

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  Great car for the money - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By drb45 - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I love the style and performance of my GP and the fact that its well equiped for the money. Ive driven it all winter and in Michigan you appreciate a car that blows out the heat!!!Its a big deal with me.

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  Why Grand is in the name - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kansasgijoe - October 29 - 2:00 am

  I have put over 8000 miles and this car and had a ball in every one of them. Good all around well designed car. I have owned two Z28s and this out performs them both. If only it had rear wheel drive I would be in heaven.

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  Stuck with it and hate it! - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Jen - October 28 - 11:50 pm

  Got the sport edtion 10/07. Before the end of the year had door panel fixed (it was cracked) door handle inside was peeling, button on shifter knob and on shifter shaft both peeled,very slow acceleration,blower motor had to be fixed,speaker doesnt work in drivers door anymore,leak stain on my head liner by windshield, had to fix lower control arm bushings (after only a year), rims started peeling, center caps fell out, i am the only one ever in my car and the passenger door is cracked now, love the spoiler since i drive on the highway a lot ( it blocks the bright headlights from shining in my face)paid $18,000 and now only worth $5,000 and it is in great shape besides miles on it.

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  great car - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Stephen - October 28 - 9:56 pm

  Ive had my G-6 now for almost a year now. I really like the way it handles in town. All controls are easy operate. Very roomy in front.

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  The Matrix only better - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Deanna - October 28 - 6:56 pm

  I love my Vibe. You will not ever need another car. The folding seats make it the best ever and most versitile vehicle I have owned in 30 years. Fun to drive and the styling is wonderful. More features than the Matrix and more comfortable this vehicle is built by Toyota and is the same as the Matrix with better options. Great for families and my grandkids love it.

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  FANTASTIC!! - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By BPLatta - October 28 - 1:26 pm

  WS-6, Trans am 2 door coupe artic white, 6 speed manual tranny. Great car, fun to drive, very powerful, lightning fast, great sound system, great gas mileage (28 MPG on a 600 mile round trip). Too bad GM stopped building these. This car will blow just about anything off the road. The car turns heads ( young and old )with its great looks everywhere I go. Its one of the sharpest cars on the road and the SLP exhaust system sounds great. The car sounds so good that I really dont listen to the radio much. I enjoy the sound of the engine. She purrs like a kitten when idleing or driving at road speed but she roars like a lion when you wind her up. I love this car with no plans to trade or sell.

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  Chose Over an Accord - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Looks4Value - October 28 - 10:00 am

  I hadnt even considered buying a Grand Prix until I rented one on a business trip. I found the performance from the standard 3.1 liter engine was adequate under all conditions, the handling was excellent, and the interior was roomy and very comfortable. Ive been getting 30 miles per gallon on the freeway, and it has only needed routine maintenance in 34,000 miles. At this point Im very pleased with the appearance, performance, and quality.

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  showing age - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By rickster - October 28 - 10:00 am

  GP was great the first few years but now showing its age, molding for windows is wearing out, power window switch broke, rear brake wore out. Cant afford a much needed tune up