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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  Not all lemons are in trees - 1997 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Roger Linn - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I have spent over $4,000.00 fixing air conditioner compressors, engine oil gakets, alternator, heat and air modulator valve, transmission sensors. This car is my wifes car and only has 44,000 miles. Im done with GM. Hell-O Honda.

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  This car should be a ten - 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By Ryan Wentz - November 20 - 2:00 am

  I think this car should be a ten because i have not had any prombles with this car it is good for the winter with the traction contral.

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  So-So - 1999 Pontiac Grand AM
  By Chicago Pam - November 20 - 2:00 am

  The Grand Am SE is a beautiful car and it handles great on dry roads. It doesnt perform the greatest when the roads, or especially RR tracks, are wet. Ive had a lot of little things wrong that have cost about $400 to fix with 30,000 miles on it, which I think is too much.

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  G6 Convertible 3.9 6 cyl. great car - 2007 Pontiac G6
  By S. Ennis - November 19 - 4:50 pm

  This car is great for older people. Gives you the feeling of being young again. Drives very well, good gas milage and gets lots of attention. Roomy interior. The 3.9 has plenty of power. Easy to get in and out of. Always wanted a convertible and now have one plus a coupe all in one. I tried several sports cars and had to have help getting out until the G6.

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  A Sleeper - 2005 Pontiac GTO
  By mdavis - November 18 - 3:43 pm

  I love it! Where else can you get a quality fit and finish, 0-60 times in the mid 4 second range, 400HP, 25 mpg, independent suspension, quality leather seats and pay less than 33K? This car rivals the best of the imports minus perhaps some of the trendy gadgets that have little to do with driving, and will run away from any of them priced under 50K.

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  Love my Vibe - 2006 Pontiac Vibe
  By al - November 17 - 11:46 am

  What a great little car. Excellent fuel mileage, fun to drive, Lots of pep, good ride, NO trouble with it at all. I would definatly buy again.

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  Much better than expected! - 2000 Pontiac Sunfire
  By benswing - November 17 - 8:00 am

  After 110,000 miles, 2 minor fender benders and loads of road trips I still love my first car. Even the SE engine has some pep with an upper engine mount and a K&N air filter. She is relatively quick off the line and gets me where Im going with a touch of style. Not the cleanest lines in a car, but not a boring Civic/Camry/Escort/etc. Only issues in 8+ years has been a hose replacement, and the vibrations are more noticeable than Id like, but not bad overall. Ive been very pleased with the reliability, fun and comfort for the price.

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  pontiac g6 vr - 2005 Pontiac G6
  By joe - November 17 - 6:43 am

  have had car for only 1 month but am extremely pleased with comfort driving. It is great driving over rough roads as our city streets are torn up replacing water pipes. Interior is comfortable and everything within reach. Most room in interior of any 6cy. cars I have seen.

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  Alot of car for little money - 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By JLaws - November 17 - 12:20 am

  Picked up my gorgeous stealth gray Grand Prix with 84000 miles on it for $5800. After I did the brakes and purge valve, which is a common thing to fail, it drove like a brand new car. Still feels tight after all the miles and very quiet with the windows rolled up. Ive owned higher end luxury car, i.e Lexus, Audi, Cadillac STS, so I can see the drop off in the quality of materials, but the GPs base V6 performance feels as powerful as the 300hp+ engines I am used too.I am on a budget and this car satisfies my needs for the time being. I plan to drive it to the ground!

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  Very disappointed - 2005 Pontiac Aztek
  By Ebony Green - November 16 - 5:26 pm

  Vehicle has been nothing but trouble since purchased. Has experience several problems each month since I purchased it. Problems such as stalling, loss of power, gear shift not going into gear at all, cruise control not working, paint chipping, car running hot, burining smell and smell of gas, gas tank rattling. I have been out of the vehicle for a total of 70 days. I would advise any consumer to check with the department of transportation before purchasingthis vehicle. This vehicle has shut down on major highway more than once and could have cuased my family and I to be killed.