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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  my new pontiac g6 - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By nurseshawn73 - May 1 - 4:33 am

  Overall I love the G6! Its been nice getting great mileage. Its also sporty unlike some mid-size cars on the market today. I definitely didnt want a grandmas car at my age!

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  2002 WS-6 Trans AM - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Joel - April 30 - 7:10 pm

  This is one of the most fun cars to drive. 345 hp at your foots control and did I mention, 24 mpg. Drives and rides great for a high performance sports car. Makes you feel 17 again.

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  Beware of Transmission - 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Jimbabwe - April 30 - 10:00 am

  Great car in every aspect except the transmission. Ive had mine replaced 3 times, 24k, 38k, and 55k. Glad I got the extended warranty. Read other reviews and youll see a lot of transmission problems. Dealership denied having knowledge of a problem, but lots of owners have told me the transmissions are a real problem.

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  3 Month Review - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By AmyP17551 - April 30 - 10:00 am

  This is my secong reviewing of this car which ive had for 3 months and i havent had a single problem with it. It runs so smooth and its very quiet as well as very responsive, but it does have blind spots

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  It has always been good to me - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By matt9404 - April 29 - 10:23 am

  This is my second Grand Prix and I love this one just as much. The mechanical quality has always been great, although the interior quality could be improved. Fun car, Id buy it again if I had to do it over again, although Id probably spring for the GXP with leather.

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  The best sport car ever - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Mike - April 29 - 12:43 am

  I love the gto and the car is just sweet. I love the power and exterior and interior design.

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  Nice ride - 2009 Pontiac Vibe
  By Repoman - April 28 - 8:33 pm

  Overall build quality is great. After 10000 hwy miles averaging 31 MPG (2.4L, 5 Auto). Ride is comfortable and quiet. Performance and handling are good. Very quick and responsive.

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  the g8 is gr8 - 2008 Pontiac G8
  By Franchise - April 28 - 5:16 pm

  Great car, very fast, big enough for a big guy (6-4" size 18 shoes) to fit very comfortably. It feels a little less powerful than it actually is until you realize how much faster your going than everyone around you, its pretty smooth for a car that handles well and accelerates so fast. It would be nice if they would make a less expensive, stripped down coupe version of the G8 that could fill the void where the firebird used to be, the solstice just doesnt cut it with no v8 and being so small a 5th grader can barely get in it

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  Bad car - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bigdogdriver - April 28 - 3:40 pm

  Bought car for daughter, worst mistake ever. Only 92,000 miles on it and I have replaced the air cond. Unit, alternator and right side head gasket. This car will nickel and dime you to death.

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  Great GXP - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Will - April 27 - 5:06 am

  Agree with others very nice car, fun to drive and all. Otherwise my pick of the 3 new cars to drive at home that have this is the first choice. Have had many Grand Ams GT and also 1973 Grand Am with V8 with 4 spd and this GXP V8 much better as 1973 Grand Am would get scratch shifting into 4th gear at 90+ MPH but Grand Prix GXP with 4 dr. is much better all around car. Happy with purchase. Was considering Toyota Camry Hybrid but "The Fun" and not a commuter drone is what this is about. Some vibration noise in instrument panel at top so put some silicon fixed that, and twice slight noise when take steering hard turn in or out of parking spot but trying to narrow that down to fix. Thats it.