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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  GREAT VEHICLE - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By retired - May 28 - 10:00 am

  GREAT VEHICLE- FUN TO DRIVE AND RACE!!!!

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  Love my Grand Prix - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By AJCasares - May 28 - 10:00 am

  I love the Sporty look and the interior. The engine is a bit too noisy. The drive is very smooth and acceleration is very good. The information center is very helpful and the red dashboard is wonderful.

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  Its been pricey - 2006 Pontiac Torrent
  By jva - May 27 - 4:53 pm

  While I enjoy driving this vehicle, its look and comfortable interior, it has been very pricey to maintain this lease. First two wheel bearings changed were covered under the lease at 20,000 kms. Remaining 4 on all tires were not. Have just begun to hear that familiar humming once again that signals another $350 out of my pocket. The alternator went at 72,000 km for the cost of $1,000, tires were replaced around the same time, along with rotors and brakes. This spring, the paint began chipping on the drivers side and back and so the whole vehicle will need a paint job.

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  Motor gasket leaks---twice! - 2002 Pontiac Montana
  By sunflowermom - May 22 - 9:00 am

  We had the head gasket replaced in summer of 2005 because it was leaking water. Dealership mechanic said that GM used inferior gaskets. Why? Well, it is leaking again (summer 2006). We have four sons and cannot afford to have it "fixed" again! I wish I had a way to return it to the dealership for them to deal with! Also, rear hatch squeaks, and the rubber weather stripping under both sliding doors came off!

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  Whatta Bust - 2001 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Taken - May 21 - 11:50 am

  I had the car for 24 months and it was in the shop 17 times for various reasons. When I could keep it out of the shop, it was powerful and very fun to drive. In the end, I actually told Pontiac that I would NEVER own another one of their products, after I have owned a total of eight of their cars.

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  G8GT 2 month review - 2009 Pontiac G8
  By WiG8GT - May 21 - 10:26 am

  I love driving the car. The suspension has the right combination of firmness for good handling but not so stiff that you get beat up. Plenty of room in the back seat, we can all sit up with out hitting our heads, one of the reasons we purchased this over the CTS. The mileage is about 18.5 mixed, we have 2800 miles on it.

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  Not too bad - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By abspideygirl - May 21 - 10:16 am

  Overall this has been a good reliable vehicle, with a some exceptions. I bought the car with 64000 miles on it and Ive had to replace the alternator, battery, brakes twice, intake manifold, heater core, and replace the spark plugs, the car now has 104000. The only other problem Ive had with it is that the power window on the left side has fallen off its track. It starts right up though and does well in the city as well on the interstate, and it does during long distance travel.

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  Gentleman Start Your Engines - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By Deaun - May 20 - 4:06 am

  Although sometimes my auto-start feature will strain my starter out for about 3 seconds, this car is completely great. I have a family but am also a "lead foot" so this car really incorporates what i need in a vehicle along with making it possible to grocery shop or drive around everyone.

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  Love The Speed - 2000 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Kevin P - May 18 - 2:06 am

  I have now owned my GTP for three + years now and I love it ... I have had to do some work to it.. Fuel pump resister, window motors, and upgraded the brakes... But all in all a fun car to own and a lot of fun to eat up all those v8 guys out there.. Have had a cooling system problem at like 190,000 but all to be expected Now working on upgrading the interior and putting in a gen 3 motor for more power...Would definitely suggest for a fun weekender that will get you to work on mon...

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  The Family Heirloom - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By 3ggplant - May 16 - 9:58 pm

  My grandmother purchased this vehicle new back in 97. Since then it has passed down to me. From a teens point of view, it is pretty much all you can ask for as the engine doles out plenty of torque and noise on the high end of the rev range, yet is perfectly capable of being composed highway cruiser. We have taken numerous camping trips and the cavernous trunk would swallow up any gear we threw in. However, as I grew, the back seats really became unbearable as they sit so low to the ground your knees are practically digging into your chest and you worry your bum will scrape the pavement. (a slight exaggeration) All in all our car has held up over the years and is still in full use today.