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:

• 

  GTO-O4 from AJ-2 - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By GTO-O4 from AJ-2 - January 21 - 6:33 am

  Nothing like doing a 30 mph corner at 80. Had the 1st 64 GTO in Albany. 13 trophies at Glensfalls. Now have the 1st GTO in Littleton. So much more car! GM charcoal grey hood scoops and a black/red/black side accent stripe sets this yellow car off. Did not want yellow, but love it now. Im getting close to 20 mpg and still having fun. Got 26 on a trip using all the economy tricks with the Tremec and engine rpm. But too much fun to drive. The Aussies know how to build a car. Tight and stable. At 62, I would like to try the 1/4 with it in stock dress to see if I can better my 64 times. Anyway, a great road car.

• 

  GP/GT Excellent car for the money! - 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Frankie - January 19 - 4:06 pm

  I had been looking to get the Grand Prix GXP but they are hard to find used and insurance costs are higher. I bought my GT model with 15,000 miles on it and could not be happier. The Eaton Gen 5 Supercharger really puts some punch into the 3800 V6. The seats are super comfortable [stitched leather]they are heated, with electric lumbar support. The remote start is great. I drive 95% freeway, so the power is Awesome when you need to pass, or enter the freeway. The ride is very smooth and for a sedan it corners quite well. It is a great combination of Luxury and Performance.

• 

  GREAT CAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By AllanSmith - January 18 - 9:13 am

  This is an AWESOME VEHICLE!! You cant go wrong with a Grand Prix GTP! The interior is so comfortable, especially when equipped with leather and heated seats like mine!

• 

  Dependable Alternative - 2002 Pontiac Aztek
  By tjhbama - January 16 - 2:00 am

  I traded my Suburban for my Aztek. Best economics trade ever... I have 52K miles on my 2002, and have had no mechanical problems, and get 20/25 city and highway. Dont have the space of the suburban (9 passengers), but have room for 5 adults and luggage for same. I tow a 8 utility trailer for recreation, and love the flexibility of flipping rear seats down, or up, or taking them out easily. Cargo space is nice in the rear, with 48" width for hauling lumber for those home improvement projects. Drivers seat cover replaced under warranty last year.

• 

  2002 Trans Am - 2002 Pontiac Firebird
  By Tony M - January 16 - 2:00 am

  This car is a blast to drive. More power than the sane mind would expect. Everyone from 5 to 85 comments on the car. This car gets 25 mpg at 80 mph in 6th gear. Last weekend I folded down the rear seat and hauled home several 4X8 sheets of plywood and 2X4s from Home Depot ... I kept it under 80 for the trip home :)

• 

  goat - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By goat owner - January 16 - 2:00 am

  fun to drive, 6 speed rpms @2000 runing 70 t0 80 mph.trip 183 miles avg. speed 58 mph gas milage 26.8 very good.

• 

  Great First Car!!! - 2007 Pontiac G5
  By Landen G - January 15 - 6:31 am

  I got my 2007 g5 gt with 162,000 miles on it and i love it!!! The only problem i had was with the sunroof drains being clogged but that was it. Love the Pioneer Audio, sunroof, styling, wheels and comfort. Only thing i dont like is the rear visibility but thats it!! GREAT CAR!!!

• 

  Cool, Fun, Practical & Reliable - 2005 Pontiac Vibe
  By Rick Hansen - January 15 - 4:50 am

  I simply love this car. -Chose monochrome color. Enjoy the sound system w/6-CD in dash. Performance is zippy with standard engine & mileage is quite good. Back seat is quite comfortable for guests and so many configurations for stuff (I feel we have as much carrying room as our Jeep Grand Cherokee had). The Pontiac styling with Toyota engineering really works for me.Also, nice having side air bags and antilock brakes. I currently have driven almost 70,000 miles on this Vibe and not one rattle. Nice having a rather complete range of electric functions.

• 

  Solstice Rocks! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By Joey - January 14 - 7:06 am

  I get more looks in this car than I ever did with my 2 vettes that Ive owned. Love the car! Looks great, handles great and is a roadster size vehicle that is fabulous to drive.

• 

  I Love My G6 Except.... - 2006 Pontiac G6
  By AngelaL - January 13 - 10:26 am

  I have had my G6 convertible for about 2 months and I LOVE it!! It is a lot of fun to drive with the top up or down. The only thing that I dont like is that there is not a locking compartment in the car. It makes no sense to me why Pontiac did not put a lock at least on the glove compartment especially since the car is a convertible. I am thinking about pricing to have a lock put on it myself. Other than that minor design flaw, the car is great!