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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  LuvMyAztek!! - 2004 Pontiac Aztek
  By Nancy in Buffalo - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Edmunds says the engine is weak but with all due respect I beg to differ. I have taken many trips on mountainous roads leaving all others on the road eating my dust (safely) passing them with little effort. Very comfortable to drive. I had no problem adapting to the rear view some think is hampered by the design. My previous two vehicles were a plush 1991 GMC conversion van and a well equipped 2000 minivan (Montana). Of all three vehicles, I find the Aztec most fun to drive. I highly recommend it!! Back seat can be a bit cramped on extended trips, but the OUTSTANDING gas mileage is well worth it. I love this vehicle.

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  I love this car! - 2004 Pontiac Sunfire
  By nc84grl - August 28 - 10:00 am

  I love this car. I love the way it drives and the sporty look of it. Best car I have ever had.

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  Satisfaction - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Bowhawk - August 28 - 10:00 am

  Quick response and very smooth ride.

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  Nice - 2004 Pontiac Bonneville
  By David Fellows - August 27 - 2:00 am

  This car has all the right options and performance of a higher end import. If you want to buy an American sport sedan instead of an import this is the car to take a serious look at. I personally think its the best looking car on the market for under 35k.

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  Mecanically sound GrandAm - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Allen59 - August 26 - 10:00 am

  My wife drives this car daily... It gets about 27 MPG regardless of how you drive it in the city (I have a heavy foot) Interstate is 32 MPG And it has excellent pickup at all speeds (3.1 V-6) After over 3 and a half years we have put 50,000 miles on it and have never experienced a mecanical problem. This car handling is exceptional in turns with the Firestone 720s Very reliable car.

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  The muscle car lives....but its GM - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By GhostOfDeLorean - August 25 - 3:50 pm

  Bought the car because of the engine and cockpit interior. Yes, its dated, but the 3800 will run forever. I have the GTP Comp/G and its a head turner! Fast off the line. Have to watch over torquing into curves. TapShift is ok, but could live without. Has every option. Too bad it does not come with heated mirrors. The bad: N85 five-spoke chrome alloy wheels are crap. Nice looking but the chrome is bubbling off after three years and breaking the seal. GM will only supply reconditioned rims. Will never buy a new GM product again.

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  Needed instead of Wanting - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Steve - August 23 - 1:30 pm

  Got a very economical car in this era of rising gas prices. I got a great price for everything that came on this Vibe. Anyone needing an inexpensive car that is inexpensive to run then check out the Vibe. I went with the FWD instead of the AWD. I drove both, about the same feel supposedly a little better mileage with the FWD. Lots of head and leg room. Im 62 and there is 6=7inches of headroom to spare.

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  Excellent crashing! - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By blackjack - August 22 - 11:36 am

  I missed a stop sign, hopped over some water,went downward to the landing of a grass field, hit some little trees and still was able to drive it home. I never crashed before by the landing was like a Cushion. I love my Torrent!

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  Not perfect, but very good! - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By sailorbeavis - August 21 - 7:35 pm

  Bought one of these cars off-season last year, fully loaded with the Monsoon stereo, heated leather and low mileage on the 3.9L upgraded V6. This is my mothers "fun car," replacing a workhorse S10 pickup. We test drove all sorts of cars, and were looking at a Miata when I found this at a local dealership. She fell in love with it at first sight and after driving it, had to have it. This thing moves like a scalded cat and the touring suspension soaks up the bumps great, even with the 18" wheels. The transmission is smooth and you can "row" the automatic if you want. We got it as a CPO with extended warranty, to hedge against any mechanical or electrical gremlins.

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  Bonneville - 1999 Pontiac Bonneville
  By djfarren - August 21 - 8:36 am

  This was our second Bonneville. The 99 was a big improvement over the 91 which we kept 8 years. We spent very little on it for repairs. We did maintain it as recommended. The ride is a bit stiff, but it has good handling and control in evasive maneuvering. It has good road feel and takes curves and corners extremely well. The seats are very comfortable. We had the optional 60/40 split bench seat and were the only ones of our friends who could take two other couples out to dinner in the same car. We averaged about 25mpg highway (65mph) with the overdrive (auto) transmission. Not shifting into OD would lower gas mileage considerably. We averaged around 20mpg around town.