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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  It only gets better - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Rod - April 12 - 4:20 am

  Am going on 5 months with my G8 GT experience. There are minor flaws I have found if you can call them flaws. The most exciting one is that when you step on the gas in anyway less than very gentle it responds like a startled cat, it flat jumps and screams for red line. I have also noticed that once I shift into sports mode or manual mode and stand on the throttle, the car changes from a docile car to a beast, and seems to stay that way till I shut it off and drive it again. It may be a glitch in my G8s computer. I will not go get this if it is a glitch.. I love it. This car loves to be driven. If you love driving you will love this car. It rocks!

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  new Solstice - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By jj - April 11 - 1:53 am

  I have had many sports cars including three Vetts, MGs, Nissans and many more but this car I bought for my wife is a great and fun car to drive! Move over, wife, I want to drive and my other car is a Lexus which I also love. We both love this car and it handles like a dream with 19" eagle low wide profile tires-hugs on turns like no car (not even my Harley) I have owned. I feel like a kid again!

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  2009 Pontiac G8 4dr Sedan ( 3.6 6cyl ) - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Chris - April 9 - 8:40 am

  Two Thumbs up!! Have owned several luxury cars before. ( BMW 300 series as well as a Lexus ) The Pontiac G8 Rules! One of the quietest cars that I have ever been. G8 also in the V6 has some " Get up and go" power! I have gotten so many compliments on this car.

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  1999 4dr Grand Prix GT - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 911computerguy - April 9 - 12:10 am

  This is the second Grand Prix which I have owned. The first being a 98 2dr GT. Performance is better than most V6s and rivals some V8s as well as being a very reliable car. Another thing I love about the car is low insurance rates. I would highly recommend this car to anyone, young or old, who is looking for a car that is both practical and exciting. PS: The specs for the 99 4dr GT on edmunds.com are wrong the torque is 225 just like any other model with the same engine.

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  Great car and sad thats its gone - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By Kenzie - April 8 - 9:30 pm

  My sunfire was the first car I ever got and I drove the crap out of it. It ran great and in the seven years I had it I replaced the fuel pump and breaks. The other day I got hit by a gravel truck and even with the low safety rating this car had me and my dog walked away from the accident fine. Im sad to see my sunfire go and it will be missed

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  What a ride! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Troy - April 7 - 10:33 am

  I love this car. The ride is smooth, yet powerful. The lines are sexy. Every where I drive, heads turn. The wind isnt bad at all with the top down.

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  Great Car, Great Deal - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Overjoyed - April 4 - 5:36 am

  I had been waiting for this to happen for some time. And it was worth it. I looked long and hard at the competition - Malibu, Accord, Altima, Camry, Sonata, Lucerne, etc. but this was the winner. I didnt buy it for the rear wheel drive, but for the size and style. It is very sporty looking, agressive even. The interior is clean, uncluttered, and straightforward. The switch gear location, designed to make the switch from right hand drive in Australia, to left hand drive in the US takes some getting used to, but it isnt too big a deal. I am extremely happy so far, and so glad to be ride of my 2002 Camry. This is a much more exciting car.

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  Fun Function - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By BW - April 3 - 8:56 pm

  My girlfriend got a promotion and now drives 140 kms each day in winter conditions. We were looking for something bigger and safer over her 99 Metro. Settled on the Vibe due to the standard Traction and Stability Control (which isnt standard on the Matrix twin). Functionality of the car is great with lots of space (moved four winter tires and lots of gear while moving). I find the 1.8L to be plenty of power and gives upper level fuel economy (about 41 MPG Canadian average). Interior isnt anything special but seats are quality and thats all you really need. Perfect car for combining economy, function and a little bit of driving fun.

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  Love driving again - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By Pontiac Fan - April 3 - 11:16 am

  Believe the hype. This is a powerful and fun car to drive with comfort too. Thanks GM for bringing it to the states.

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  This is a great car - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Cliff - April 3 - 10:00 am

  I didnt believe I would like to drive this vehicle, but I do! I used to drive a Jeep Cherokee and that consumed way too much money for gas. With the Vibe, Im filling the tank once a week when I used to being flling the Jeep every other day. This car looks great and handles well. I bought the base Vibe for fuel economy and its a little slower than what Im used to driving but its a very small flaw if I had to choose one.