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:

• 

  Good Car, Some Faults - 2005 Pontiac Sunfire
  By davyd - February 4 - 3:00 am

  I got an 05 Sunfire with roughly 117000 miles on it, its still going strong! Except the gauges... Im not sure if it has something to do with the heat, but everything works at night and in the mornings. But everyday after school, after my car has been sitting in the sun for 8 hours, the gauges like to "stick". I dont know if this is happenign to everyone or just me. I think its a very nice first car, its got a nice accelation, and gass isnt too terrible on it. But my only problem with it is the Gauges. Im not sure if its electrical and can be fixed manually, but if anyone knows anything, please tell me.

• 

  So Cal G5 - 2008 Pontiac G5
  By James - February 2 - 12:30 pm

  I traded in my 2004 Mazda 3 for the new G5 with automatic tranny. Even the dealer asked me why I was trading the "great" Mazda for the Pontiac. But the Mazda was a piece of junk. Over $2k in repairs after warranty. So far Im happy with the little Pontiac. I like the black exterior too. I got the preferred package with the nice 16" wheels/ABS. But my gas mileage has been poor so far. Only averaging about 24 mpg. Maybe 30 on the highway. But So Cal gas stinks too. I would recommend the car for the reasonable price easily instead of the overpriced, underfeatured Japanese makes.

• 

  Great fun...for a weekend car.. - 2004 Pontiac GTO
  By Xtranaut - February 2 - 4:40 am

  If you have anywhere from 12 to 20k to spend on a very fun car to drive on weekends and have a blast. But as a daily driver, it drinks gas and SHOULD burn premium if you want the performance when you need it. 350 LS1 can easily achieve over 400 horses with minor mods. Nice low naturally rumble. You will need all new suspension by 15k miles - maybe earlier. Read up on it. Handles well for a legendary straight liner but its heavy. Tires at come with are 245s with bland 17" wheels. This car has a dorky design that you get used to. Some people justify it as "stealth" or euro. Live with it. They dont make em anymore although I hear they will be reincarnated as a 2011 Caprice.

• 

  RonKr Bonneville Review - 1997 Pontiac Bonneville
  By Ron K. - February 1 - 2:00 am

  Very tight suspension, great handling, very comfortable. A great road car, no fatigue after 12 hours behind the wheel, seats are first class-power adjustable leather buckets. Instrumentation first class. The compass and HUD features are excellent. brake rotors warped at 90,000 miles, replaced with new rotors which had to be machined again at 103,500 miles. New plugs at 99,000 miles after car was felt to be missing. Car spent much (about 1/2) of its life at 80-90 mph on interstates, with other half in the NYC area. Used synthetic oil after break-in, so no obvious wear.

• 

  Good performer for the money - 2004 Pontiac Grand AM
  By paulg - February 1 - 2:00 am

  I traded in my fully loaded Nissan Altima V6 for a V6 Grand Am when I was forced to lower my car payments. I am not disappointed with this car, I like the 3.4 V6 in my Grand Am. I work in Sales and drive approx 30,000 miles a year. I would recommend this car it has been a good reliable partner on the road.

• 

  Fuel for the Soul - 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix
  By motorin - February 1 - 2:00 am

  The GP 2004 was my choice for company car for the next 3 years and I am not dissapointed. Excellent acc. off the line and moderate to good handling make this car a sales reps dream. The interior design is fine outside of the classic stock GM stereo (easily replaced). Improvements in glove compartment space and hangers for suit jackets in the back would be nice. This is an excellent step up from other pontiac contributions in the past. I would never chose this car over an import if I were going to spend my own money.

• 

  Great Cargo Area! - 2004 Pontiac Vibe
  By C. Moran - January 31 - 4:33 pm

  Bought this car for its resale value / reliability, gas mileage and cargo space. 100% satisfaction with these features. Bonus: we got rear-ended at 45 mph and walked away from the totaled vehicle without a scratch..... were going to buy another one.

• 

  Excellent Roadster!! - 2006 Pontiac Solstice
  By My Baby, 4 Weeks old - January 31 - 12:26 pm

  I have had my Solstice for 4 weeks, my first manual car and I love it. The car completely wraps around you when you are in it. Completely comfortable, the suspension is unbeatable. After test driving Minis and other small cars this one definatly passed the test for comfortable driving. I love the looks I get driving down the freeway, people slow down so you can pass them and then speed up so they can see what your driving!! Excellent roadster, I cant wait till summer so I can put the top down and really test her out!

• 

  Great car - 1997 Pontiac Grand AM
  By tater - January 29 - 2:00 am

  I have a 1997 Pontiac grand am se 4 door sedan, it has the 2.4 litre four cylinder. I bought it used with 130.000 miles on it to use for a work car, I drive 80 miles round trip to my job at a mine in Montana, I love this little car, today after work the snow was at the bottom of the doors and it was 12 above zero and my Pontiac never once hesitated, she has 172.000 miles in her and I will drive it until it wont go anymore. Have had minor problems but nothing major. And 36 mpg on the highway.

• 

  so far so good - 1995 Pontiac Grand AM
  By kbarno - January 28 - 7:26 am

  Bought this car with 93,000 miles on it. It now has 102,000 on it my husband drives it 4 hours a day back and forth to work.4 times a week. So far so good. the only problems with it is: a leaky valve cover, and the fuse to the power locks just blew. Nothing big, both easy fixes. and the air conditioner needs charged.