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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  Custom Sunfore - 2002 Pontiac Sunfire
  By streeet racers - April 19 - 10:00 am

  I wanted a small compact car that I felt had exceptional styling over the import market. Pontiac has in my opinion the best looking sub-compact going in the sunfire, the engine is easily as good or better than most of the current crop form japan, The ecotec 16v dohc, is fantastic ! Its to bad that kids dont take a second look at these for tunning as they are great for just that. Yes, the overall fit and finish may not be up to the higher end from Japan, but in reality its just not that bad, I have zero squeaks after 5000 miles. The GT is an exceptional value !

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  Terrible service from Pontiac Dealers - 2000 Pontiac Grand AM
  By 2000 Pontiac SE1 - April 19 - 10:00 am

  Ive had the 2000 SE1 for just over 2 years. The doors are not lined up and paint has chipped on the doors because of it (in the first 10000 miles). Dealers wont help at all, even the place I bought it. Car was in the shop 3 times for the check engine light. I finally figured out ON MY OWN that the gas cap wasent tight enough. (smart mechanics) Now, it wont start and has been in twice for this problem in 2 weeks. My entended warrenty didnt even cover half! It was fixed without me ever okaying the extra cost. I fought it and lost. I am so fed up with Pontiac not standing behind their product! Never again.

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  Good Value - but questions remain - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By Gary - April 17 - 8:13 pm

  Great Gas Mileage. Fun Car to drive. Fits smaller people like a glove. Some quirks that seem not to make sense such as Headlights always on(Can not be turned off at any time), Front windows recall(mine were fixed under warranty before recall), Front of car including hood chips very easily, and most nagging for me is the fan in the car is always on(air comes through vents constantly). These things get noticed after newness of car wears off!

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  96,000 and still going!! - 1997 Pontiac Sunfire
  By ski1022 - April 16 - 10:00 am

  Bought this car brand new and will probably drive it till it dies. VERY reliable car with very minor maintenance. Had the water pump replaced when the car was new but that was covered, but other than that just your basice oil changes, brakes, tires etc.

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  98 GT - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By 2drGT - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Good and reliable vehicle for work and play. Very economical on gasoline(29mpg highway and 22mpg city), but can use a larger gas tank. Sport-like interior.

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  1997 Pontiac GA GT Coupe 5-speed - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By mazurjb - April 14 - 10:00 am

  Overall, a good car. This car is VERY reliable and surprisingly peppy for its size with an I-4 motor. The only repairs I had to have done in five years were an oxygen sensor and a compressor for the cars A/C. Despite having a very good experience with my car, I would not recommend the new model of the GA. In addition to that, the new model does not come with a manual transmission... speaking of which, my 97 has a very exact manual tranny. The only drawback of the manual transmission is the long throws. The only drawback of the car is the unavilibility of aftermarket custom parts for the car.

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  2005 Pontiac GXP - 2005 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Mike Wandell - April 13 - 4:56 am

  I really love this car, I am in sales and drive it all over. It has all comfort I need and the the power when needed. I almost traded it in about 6 months ago on a Cadillac CTS. I took the Cadillac back and got my Pontiac back. The Cadillac was not as good as the Pontiac. Its just a lot of fun to drive, at night the dash looks an airplane cockpit.

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  Excitement in a 3100 4-door - 2003 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By cubre - April 12 - 6:10 pm

  I purchased this car from my father who put 115,000 highway miles on it. It tracks great, gets great gas mileage (35 mpg hwy), and is a strong runner. Unexpectedly fast for a smaller V-6. Car has great throttle response and excellent field of vision (unlike so many new cars). Also, noticed there is a heater vent under the drivers seat which is great on winter days (heats the seat) A credit to Pontiac for building a great car. An excellent value buy

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  Great Car - 1998 Pontiac Grand AM
  By adgirl402004 - April 10 - 10:00 am

  Ive been very happy with my Grand Am.

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  Grand Prix - 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Timmy Lupus - April 10 - 10:00 am

  This car is great for the money. I got this when I graduated from college and it did not cost me and arm and a leg. Getting a new car hasnt really crossed my mind. The Grand Prix has been treating me well for the last 3 years. I have made frequent, long-distance, weekend trips with the car. It is comfortable and gets good gas milage. Passengers have noted how big and roomy the back seat is. I really like the hatch in the backseat, that opens up into the trunk. I normally have a ton of sports equipment sitting in the back seat and this makes it really easy to toss into the trunk when I need the backseat for passengers.