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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  Decent for 13 year old car - 1996 Pontiac Grand AM
  By md - April 2 - 9:26 pm

  I bought this car for $600 last January. I took it to a mechanic before buying it so that I would know there were not any major issues and what to be prepared for in the future. The transmission, motor (although it does need a new motor mount)and other major components seem to be doing well. In the past year I have had to replace the tie rods, CV joints ($500) heater core (300) and serpentine belt. I do not feel that this is to much work to put into an other wise reliable car for the cheap price I paid. I now have 188,000 miles and expect it to continue going strong. I think people who have had back experiences with this or any car did not do their homework or mechanic check before buying

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  10 year original owner - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Eric D - April 1 - 2:33 pm

  Bought my Grand Prix Dec 26, 1999. Absolutely loved to drive it. The car was great until it hit about 75k miles, then things really started to wear down. Had one major repair of the rack and pinion and power steering at the same time. Was about a $1500 repair. Many other little things also began to fall apart since 75k. Driver power window quit working. Gas gauge began to malfunction and I had to track the fuel level with the trip odometer. Also, the low coolant light was always lit and even the fluids were topped off. The carpeting wore very early on. Overall, it was a satisfying ownership but mostly because I paid it off two years earlier then I had expected and owned it free and clear.

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  llllllllooooovvvvvveeeeee it! - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By ruby718 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Just recently my Grand Am was totaled. I am quite sad to see it go. It had 103,800 miles and was still as reliable as the day we got it. We never had a problem with it. We even had a trailer hitch put on and would tow a trail every summer vacation. Still no problems. I just hope I can find a car as reliable as that one! I hope to stick with Grand Am. The only con seat could be a little more comfortable and a little more leg room in back for the kids in car seats.

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  We love our AZTEK - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By SethNShannon - March 30 - 2:00 am

  We disagree with your editors review of this vehicle. We researched and drove many vehicles before purchasing our AZTEK. My husband, who has experience with racing vehicles claims that the all-wheel drive traction control system is one of the better designed. Its visibility is better than any car we have owned. It has proven to be quite safe. We were rear-ended recently and were barely left with a scratch, while the other vehicle had to be towed away. It handles exceptionally well and we would recommend it to anyone who wants an SUV packed with the features and performance you would expect, without the price tag of more common SUVs.

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  the best - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By George Suarez - March 30 - 2:00 am

  The best ride i have ever taken on a car thats for shure!!!

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  Lovin it - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By dschavey - March 30 - 2:00 am

  I had a smart buy on a 2001 sunfire that was due. I had received a letter from my dealer that I should come in and see what was new. I had not planned on getting rid of my sunfire because I loved it, but when I saw the new Vibe I fell in love with it and drove it home that afternoon. And my husband and I have been enjoying driving around town and receiving so many compliments. I also love the color (orange fusion metalic)! Its great a can find my Vibe anywhere I park. Thank you so much for our new comfortable ride.

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  Great Car - 2002 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By bmxpro789 - March 30 - 2:00 am

  Great Car!, Would recommend to anyone.

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  awesome - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By chris davis - March 30 - 2:00 am

  my experience with the grand am has been great

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  My GP - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By hibay - March 29 - 10:13 pm

  Great value and fun to drive everyday. Good in the snow and wet. Ride needs some fine tuning, especially driving around Detroit roads

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  No wonder everyone is buying foreign. - 2002 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Paladin96 - March 29 - 9:13 am

  We bought this car brand new, It ran fine until the warranty expired and then the fun began. Wheel bearing, Transmission rebuild, 3 complete sets of brakes in 100,000 miles, intake manifold gasket replace, multifunction switch, and now my abs/trac off light keeps coming on. These are mostly highway miles and were not rough with the car. I would expect a car company who is trying to compete with the likes of Honda and Toyota to sell a decent vehicle. I have never had a car with so many issues. This is the first GM car I have ever owned and I guarantee, it will be the last.