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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  Late MidLife Crisis - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Duke - March 16 - 4:00 pm

  Solstice has the looks! The looks of other current roadsters - only better.

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  This vehicle is a dog! - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Catherine - March 16 - 2:00 pm

  My engine threw a rod through the engine block at only 107K miles. My driver side power window doesnt work, there is a recall on the signals (that only work when they feel like it), and my heater knob broke in half. This is my second Pontiac (the first was an 87 Fiero) and it will also be my last. Im replacing my brakes every 3- 4 months.

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  Great Car on the Whole - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By STLbill7982 - March 16 - 11:06 am

  Im the original owner and my GP has had no major problems after 94k. The headlamp lense did fall off at 75k, but I replaced the whole assembly for $100. I sealed the other headlamp lense myself and have had no leaks since. Nothing leaks in the car, no mechanical problems, no leaky gaskets, no badges or bodyside molding have ever fallen off. The CD player quit working after 6 years, but I replaced stereo for $300. Original brakes after 94k, got 54k out of tires, transmission runs like new, no switches have ever failed, original window motors, all electronics are fully functional. Dont understand why others complain of poor quality - my brothers 2000 Accord has had far more problems.

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  190,000 Miles Later...... - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By rose38478 - March 16 - 6:09 am

  Yes, what it said. I put 190,000+ miles on my Pontiac. Bought it 4.5 years ago, just traded it and I miss it horribly. No mechanical trouble except basic maintenance and 1 thermostat. Paint stood up well to the test of time. Only thing interior wise is my dashboard cracked a little way up by the window. Other than that, stayed great. Seats didnt tear, rug didnt wear out. The engine gave you enough power to get where you needed to go quickly. I wish Pontiac had stuck around. I would have bought another.

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  its really good - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By southsidelak - March 15 - 1:50 pm

  this car is all u need for excitement to family vacations. performs great,looks great and best of all the price was right.. had no problems other then rain water coming in from the fire wall but it is fixable for under 10 dollars. Smart buy....

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  Cheap and cheery - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Avid Napper - March 14 - 11:30 pm

  I needed to economize and fast, so traded in my 2005 Dodge Magnum SXT with AWD for a 2005 Pontiac Vibe with AWD. While I miss the pickup and heft of the Magnum, I certainly dont miss the frequent trips to the gas station. Plus, the Vibe hugs the road and is surprisingly peppy for a car that gets great mileage (well, compared to the PT Cruiser I had before the Magnum, which didnt get such great mileage, come to think of it). While I was afraid I was going to resent driving around in an economy- mobile (and honestly, I will wish Pontiac offered heated seats when winter returns), Im quite pleased with it. And my partner, a snob where American cars are concerned, enjoys driving it too.

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  2004 Pontiac Grand Prix - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By mschmehl - March 13 - 10:00 am

  I have owned my Grand Prix GT1 for about 1 year and I have been very pleased with its performance and comfort. For the cost and value of what I received in my Grand Prix, you could not find a better mid-sized sedan. One complaint I do have is that it does not come with map lights on the GT1 model as standard. Never realized how important a little thing like that can be. Otherwise, I look forward to gettng another one soon.

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  yeah! for Pontiac - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By IBEX - March 13 - 10:00 am

  Finally an answer to all the boring Grand Am and Grand Priz models. I bought the 2004 Pontiac GTP model with the comp G package. I have never been so pleased with a GM vehicle. This car is fast and it gets good gas mileage. Ive driven it in Alaska during the winter (handled the icy roads no problem). Ive even driven it through the Colorado Rockies (can you say fun). Next stop Hwy 1 in California

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  My G6th Sense - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Greg - March 12 - 11:43 pm

  I bought the G6 to replace a 1999 Mazda 626. I also looked at the new Mazda 6 and the Suburu Legacy. The 6 cyl G6 offered much more options then the 4 cyl version of these cars for the same price. It has strong, smooth accelration, tight handling and suspension, and drives like a sport car. The four door is roomy in the front/back and can easily accomodate a family. The panoramic moonroof is huge, and really cool. Overall, a fun car to drive. The only suprise so far is the fuel economy, the sticker says 21-29 but it is more like 20-24. Also, small trunk space and headroom compared to the Mazda 6 and Suburu. It also has more blind spots then other sedans. A great bargin for 20K.

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  the truth - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By Tommy DeGrange - March 12 - 2:03 pm

  the car is a fun drive. it couls use a little styling help for the 06 model year. but as for the performance and handling the car meets all my expectations. all in all a good car. has a small problem with tires (i wore off the factory tires in only 30k with very little burn out action)