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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  LOVE THIS CAR! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Hornedfrog77 - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I test drove this last summer and liked it. But now that I FINALLY bought one I LOVE it. Its fun to drive and is very visually appealing. The gas mileage is great (especially with the cost at $2 a gallon) and is very roomy. I would definitely recommend this for a buy!

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  Very fast and powerful - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Efrain - November 11 - 10:00 am

  Just bought the car in april 2004. I already love it. The car move when you give it gas. and handles pretty good on turns.

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  MSCABB2004 - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By MSCABB - November 11 - 10:00 am

  My Grand AM SE is a 2003 with only 32507 miles and it can really get up and go.

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  My Grand Am - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By fna - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I have had this vehicle since October and I love it. It is nice and reliable car.

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  Top of the Line COMP G! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By philly_scorpio - November 11 - 10:00 am

  The car performs really well. Im in the military and live in England where we drive over 80mph on the highway. Accelerates with no quickly able to keep up with the BMWs, Jaguars, and Audis that I constantly see on the road. Nice styling! I get looks where ever I go!! HUD is nice and can drive without it now! Good for fast driving!

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  nice car!!! - 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Colby - November 11 - 9:40 am

  i just recently bought my 08 grand prix about a month ago... the only bad thing about this car is well i live in SD and it been snowing the car is basically land locked when it snows but great car on dry surface

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  Lil Bit Of Sol - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By bleacherman - November 10 - 4:26 pm

  This car is just plain FUN! While the interior is by no means luxury...it is very comfortable, exterior lines are outstanding! Handling is phenomenal ... just a slight movement on the wheel gives instant response on the road. It feels that you are glued to the road with the 18" tires. Great car for an even greater price!

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  Great vehicle - 2004 Pontiac Montana
  By PhoneyScott - November 10 - 5:13 am

  Great to drive. Much better than our GMC Safari that we had before. Much more "sport car" type handling and ride.

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  Race performance and gorgeous too - 2007 Pontiac Solstice
  By John Richards - November 10 - 1:13 am

  The looks drew me to the Solstice, but the looks reflect the racing design: the wheels far out at the corners, the low frame and seating, the aerodynamics, the huge tires and disc brakes... all components of a true race car. I have been surprised at how well it drives, much better than I thought it would. Cornering is a joy. The visibility from the cockpit is a little restricted, but I quickly learned how to anticipate visual angles for quick maneuvers, i.e., headchecks and headtilts for mirror views. Now I feel safe except I have to do a double check for right rear corner views (a good practice with any car). This doesnt feel like a well-engineered Japanese car. Its looser and wilder.

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  Just what I needed - 2007 Pontiac Vibe
  By VTBear - November 9 - 5:40 am

  First 2k miles no problems. Average 34 mpg, handles great, good all around visibility. Live on a dirt/mud road, makes it home daily. Instruments well placed, shifter as well. Back OK for preteens, not bigger. No frills, dont need em. Fuel savings annually over last car will be about 3 payments per year at todays gas price. Quiet for such a small car.