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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  Say no to Pontiac! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Briguy - June 4 - 5:20 am

  When I saw this car on the dealers lot I fell in love with the style in and out. Also the gas mileage was impressive but little did I know this would be the worst running vehicle I had ever owned. Bought with 10K by 28K ABS system failure, serpentine belt, valve lifters, and engine overheating made me have to say bye-bye. Of course GM did its damnedest to make sure they fixed nothing, solidifying my decision.

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  Good car! - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By beef - June 4 - 12:10 am

  So far so good; I usually get 20-21 mpg in mixed driving. Handles good; great acceleration; decent braking; plenty of room

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  Dont know - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By hartman - June 3 - 2:00 am

  This car has been very dependeble for me. I enjoy my car very much.

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  Problem after Problem - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tpdixon - June 3 - 2:00 am

  My alternator had to be replaced twice in less than two years. The brakes barely last past a year. And the worst problem I have had that has yet to be fixed by the dealership, when I try to turn the car off, the key gets stuck so my lights and battery stay on (but the motor is off), and it stays that way for about 15 minutes before deciding to let go. I took it to a pontiac dealership and they charged me $213 for the problem NOT to be fixed and refused to give me my money back and I have taken it back several times and they still cannot fix the problem.

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  THIS CAR IS BETTER THAN A MERCADES!!!!!! - 2003 Pontiac Grand AM
  By COOL_JAY - June 3 - 2:00 am

  ALL EXPENSIVE CAR DRIVErs!!!!!! BUY A GRAND AM GT SEDAN!!!!!!!!!

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  It aint the 99 - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By ruffner6 - June 2 - 7:33 pm

  I had a 99 and loved it every day I had it. On a whim, I traded it for this adult version with leather and sunroof. Almost immediately I was unhappy. The sunroof hesitated for the first 3 years then fixed itself. The front end has been repaired at least 6 times. It ate a set of tires in 8 month. Tie rods, bushing alignment issues. The interior stinks: My 6 foot husband cant get into it, period with out moving the steering wheel and seat. "leather is all cracking, wheel is peeling, plastic is impossible to clean. I miss my 99 in myriad ways. It was huge, got better mileage. I HATE leather, especially this leather. And the AM radio is affected by sunspots or something 2x a year. weird

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  Vibe - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By 2009 Base - June 2 - 12:10 am

  I traded in my beloved Jeep Wrangler for the Vibe. Aside from the fact that I can no longer take the top down on a nice day I really like this car. I am a big guy and I do not feel the least bit cramped, nor is there an issue of getting in and out of the car. It is fun to drive and really very quite. If you get one, pay for the power package. I did not do this and now wish I would have.

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  One Great Vehicle - 2003 Pontiac Vibe
  By Burton Dietz - June 1 - 1:20 pm

  This car is just about as perfect at it gets. Great gas mileage, comfort and style and it will literally carry things that much bigger vehicles cant because the front passenger seat will fold flat. When this one wears out, I will definitely be buying another.

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  Pontiac G6 Hard Top Convertible - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By Jerry - May 31 - 12:30 pm

  Aside from an annoying clicking in the front windows, this auto has been awesome. It took the dealer three attempts to quiet the clicking, rattling window noise. It only happened with the windows all the way up, and was fixed with an adjustment to the top closure which was covered in a manufacturers bulletin. This car is fun to drive and is truly like having two cars in one with the retractable hard top. Gas mileage is excellent given the performance level.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By blackgagt1 - May 31 - 5:30 am

  This is a great car no problems what so ever.