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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  lame - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mpt222 - December 7 - 2:00 am

  this car is SSSLLLOOOWWWW and handles worse than my old 94 Ford Escort!! For all the flash, it really handles poorly, leaning through corners like a truck and very non-responsive steering. I am sure this car will wear like a typical GM...rust out and be worthless in 5 years.

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  PIECE OF CRAP!!! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By NRBO - December 6 - 2:00 am

  This make is a piece of crap. 2nd year fuel pump went out, third year the entire ignition system went out. 4th year the heater quits working - apparently this has happened to thousand of this model but GM refuses a recall - the part costs $22 but it costs $1500 for labor because to replace the part requires removal of the entire front section of the car. Look it up - blender acuerator. My mechanic says it is the poorest designed car he has ever seen and wont even attempt to replace that part. I am getting rid of this piece of junk as soon as I can. It is winter in the south and no heater. The dealership just laughed when asked about ongoing issues with this car.

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  STILL TO NEW - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By ITS RED - December 3 - 2:00 am

  SPEEDING TICKET (21 MILES OVER) 81 IN A 60 NOT EVEN 24 HOURS OLD. I DIDNT REALIZE I WAS GOING THAT FAST. I WAS DISAPPOINTED WHEN I FIRST SAW IT, WAS EXPECTING TO SEE MORE OF A GTO LOOK, I THINK IT SHOULD HAVE THE HOOD SCOOPS ON IT LIKE THE NEW GRAND AM. FOR SOME REASON THE WINDOWS FOG UP VERY QUICK WHEN ITS RAINING OUT,AND LIGHTS AT NIGHT ARENT VERY BRIGHT. 1ST GTO IN OKLAHOMA.

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  demise of an American icon (Pontiac) - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kenny appleseed - December 3 - 2:00 am

  It hurts so bad to see the demise of an American icon such as Pontiac, but if this is what they got to offer save your money or put it towards an actual car company. The car is just transportation, but at 19k I kick myself for not going with the Altima.

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  Good car, cheaply made - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By capimo - November 29 - 4:13 pm

  *Note this is a "sports" car your insurance will be expensive I bought it May 2013 (MY first car :D) $1,800 and 147K miles. Mine is a Canadian car (I live in Michigan) so everything is metric/km :S But yeah good mpg, very rust resistant, lots of power for lil 4 cyl, after 9 months still reliable. Problems: The seats and various useless plastics are breaking. The previous owner wore down the springs, catalytic converter went (I hear this is a common problem, I bought mine online $75 and had Tuffy put it in $45. 12 years old and most everything on the car is factory gear! (Although not good in some cases..)

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  My G6 - A lot like others... - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By JennyA - November 27 - 1:26 pm

  I do love this car. But Im frustrated to no end with General Motors and their lack of responsibility. There is a major, widespread problem with this cars steering shaft and power steering. Even under warranty, GM doesnt want to replace a part more than once; and, even if they did, it would just brake again because the parts are faulty. And nobody seems to care that steering troubles are major safety issues. I am currently very uncomfortable driving this vehicle. And anyone in my path should be scared, too. GM seems to think its fine with the steering wheel popping every time I turn. And theyre not concerned that most of these cars have a failing power steering system. Beware!

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  04 Sunfire - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By MLD - November 24 - 10:03 am

  I have had this car for 3 years it is a good car i have had a few problems with it for the motor mount crushing to the sunroof leaking to now the ac/heat works when it wants to and it sometimes hard to start the cd player has been replace do to it stop working but other then that i have enjoy driving my car when it not getting worked on it has a great take off very fast for a 2.2

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  Not all lemons are in trees - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Roger Linn - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have spent over $4,000.00 fixing air conditioner compressors, engine oil gakets, alternator, heat and air modulator valve, transmission sensors. This car is my wifes car and only has 44,000 miles. Im done with GM. Hell-O Honda.

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  Can not keep it out of the shop - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By ryant - November 11 - 8:46 pm

  I like this car very comfortable and convenient. It fits all the kids and dogs without a problem. I have found out however lots of mechanical problems with the Engine after lots of $$$$ and many days in the shop just after the warranty expiration I have decided to dump it and go back to gas guzzling SUVs.

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  Good looks and comfort - Bad Tranny - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By hamlir - November 10 - 9:06 am

  The car looks great and feels great to sit in. It was well made for comfort. The Tranny totally blew up with 129k on it. Reg service was done and even serviced the tranny at 50k & 100k. The think is nothing more than yard art since it wont move.