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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  Perfect Everyday Car - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By 89Stang - January 16 - 7:10 pm

  My old 93 Grand Prix had 130k on it and it was time for something new. I needed another car with a little kick, V6 and something Id love driving for my daily 50 mile commute to work. I already have a sports car, so I didnt need a V8, but I wanted something w/ a little puch to it. I had good luck with my Grand Prix so I gave the G6 a look. Ive had the car for about 5 months, put on 8K already on it and I love it the more I drive it. Engine creeps up on you and before you know it your doing 80 w/o breaking a sweat. Great seats, like the interior layout and info center. Sporty looking style for a 4 door. Surprisingly good room in back seat and I get 26-28 mpg with good power. Great car.

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  Fooled again!!! - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By BGRPW - January 16 - 4:36 am

  After many weeks of car hunting and test driving the decision was made to purchase the Gran Prix ... a few weeks of driving this vehicle, I was disappointed with the many "gliches" this vehicle came with examples:poor workmanship on the interior, the rattles that came with the under body (only to be told it had something to do with the bracket that held the speaker system in the car I was charged for the "repair cost" AND the tech fees), horrible air conditioning quality...several trips back to the dealership .... let alone the inconvenience it caused me including the "costs" i was responsible for....I would never purchase another nor would I influenece anyone else to purch

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  just got it - 2009 Pontiac G3
  By sm - January 15 - 12:20 pm

  We needed better gas mileage. I never liked hatchbacks. We were looking at the Corolla, Prius or Civic when the G3 was shown to us. Someone had it for 3 mos and put in an in dash navigation system/sirius radio, etc. We looked at it, test drove it - took it him that night. We just got it, but I really like driving it. Roomier than it looks.

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  Good vehicle - 1998 Pontiac Trans Sport
  By dennis - January 15 - 9:23 am

  No major or minor repairs except maint. And gets24 or25 mpg with a 50/50 split between highway and town driving. Still only uses 1/2 qt. Of oil at 4k oil change.

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  Worth Waiting For-40th Anniversary Editi - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bowler558 - January 15 - 2:00 am

  I wanted to splurge on a new vehicle, and after doing some research, I decided to order a 40th anniversary edition. Ordered in August of 2001, following my order through production, it finally arrived in November of 2001. Always a head turner, I only know of one other in the state of Delaware. It has been a pleasure to drive (been to Texas 3X) and gas milage is exceptional considering the engine size and supercharger. It came fully loaded, but I did get the optional heated seat and sunroof. Surprisingly, these are the only items that have needed repair, and fortunately covered under warranty.

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  This Goat cant be beat - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Rodney - January 14 - 11:43 pm

  Anyone who has ever sat/driven a GTO always comes out praising the cars amazing acceleration, handling, and particularly its interior design. Youd be hard pressed to find a more luxurious inviting interior in a car within this price range. Its smooth enough for daily commutes and long trips, and can hit you with the violence of all 400 Hp at any moment. For half the price you get a Corvette with seating for four (real rear seats by the way, not the child seats other cars like the RX-8 and 350Z have), whats not to love about this car.

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  The car you dont want to buy - 1998 Pontiac Bonneville
  By james101 - January 14 - 10:00 am

  I bought my Pontiac in 1998 its been the worst car I ever owned. I like the way the engine runs and the way the car looks, but thats where it stops! I had to replace the engine in it, had to replace the main oil seal, the power stearing pump twice, and i had to change the starter twice you do not want to buy this car just for this reason! Luckly its all under warnty or i would have around 5,000 to 10,000 in work done to it.

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  2002 GTP - Eat My Dust!!! - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By MasterGunnerZ - January 14 - 10:00 am

  I love this car! I put a K&N filtercharger and big exhaust pipes. I I love racing other cars, especially Monte Carlos. I just burned a 02 Buick LeSabre w/ the same S/C 3800 Series II engine. This guy was so mad, he wanted some more on the next light, so the next time I pushed my performance shift button, and burned him even more. This car got seroius power, well my has about 260HP and 290 Torgue. Everybody better watch out. I cant wait to buy the 2004 G-Force with the new improved 280HP/280Torgue.

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  hello kitty - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By seanfine - January 14 - 10:00 am

  An excellent package for the price of the car. The quality of the finishes and materials are very high. Car is also very fun to drive and has a nice powerful engine despite being a 4 cylinder.

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  Oh what Car - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By slammerbob - January 14 - 8:00 am

  This is the second vibe we have owned, we had a 2004 vibe and had traded in on a honda civic hybrid that was a mistake . We bought the awd in august and really enjoy driving it. Plenty of space to haul anything like a mountain bike or a power washer with room to spare. The earlier vibe had a problem with storage under the shifter staying closed. We intend to keep this one I hope subaru takes note their vehicles are getting to expensive for the average family to afford.