Overview & Reviews
In response to strong competition and the perceived "soccer mom" stigma its midsize Montana minivan was suffering from, Pontiac hatched its Montana SV6 "crossover sport van." Based on the outgoing minivan's chassis, the SV6 stood taller and had a longer nose and surgically enhanced cladding along its sides to make it look more like an SUV. The results were an improvement, actually, and the Pontiac Montana SV6 ended up being the most rugged-looking minivan in the General Motors camp.
Despite these enhancements, however, sales of the Montana SV6 didn't exactly rebound to Pontiac's satisfaction. In fact, they continued to drop in its second and final year. Perhaps this was because the SV6 was really just a warmed-over Montana with an available 3.9-liter V6 engine and a few structural upgrades underneath to improve crashworthiness. Other improvements included optional seat-mounted side-impact airbags for second-row occupants, though such protection was still lacking in the third row. The SV6 was more family-friendly overall, however, seating seven with a fold-flat 50/50 third-row seat.
In sum, the Pontiac Montana SV6 was pretty much an ordinary minivan with beefed-up styling and acceptable levels of content and capability. But it still couldn't match the driving competence, safety features or popular conveniences of the day's top minivans.
Most Recent Pontiac Montana SV6
The Pontiac Montana SV6 minivan was sold for 2005 and 2006 only. Standard equipment included air-conditioning, an eight-speaker CD/MP3 sound system, rear-seat DVD entertainment and OnStar telematics. An options package added a passenger-side power sliding door, power driver seat, sport suspension and rear air-conditioning. An optional PhatNoise mobile digital media system allowed owners to store thousands of MP3s and/or several dozen movies. Other popular available items included dual power-sliding side doors, leather seating, heated front seats and rear parking assist.
The standard Montana SV6 engine was a 3.5-liter V6 (200 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque) coupled to a four-speed automatic transmission and available in both front-wheel and all-wheel-drive versions. For 2006 models, an optional 3.9-liter V6 was available. It generated a healthier 240 horses and 240 lb-ft of torque, but was offered on front-drive SV6s only. On the safety front, second-year SV6s also benefited from optional second-row side airbags.
Inside, the Pontiac Montana SV6's cabin featured a pleasing color scheme with bright, metallic-looking accents. Convenient folding center trays were available in the first two rows, and an adjustable overhead rail system provided rear passengers with access to climate and entertainment controls as well as additional storage. A couple of options made life much more convenient and comfortable for all: The PhatNoise digital media system meant no longer hassling with CDs or DVDs on the road, while remote vehicle starting made it easy to warm the van on chilly mornings.
We found the standard V6 to be underpowered compared to other minivans in its class, so we recommend that shoppers look for the punchier 3.9-liter V6. The Montana SV6's standard suspension was tuned to deliver a soft, smooth ride, and we found handling response about average for this type of vehicle. SV6s with the optional sport suspension did offer sharper handling, but did nothing to improve its excessive turning radius, which sometimes made maneuverability difficult in tight quarters.
User Reviews:
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Pontiac Montana sv6 are amazing - 2008 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Jehad Chamseddine - May 19 - 10:04 pmBeautiful vehicles never let me down drives very nice and favrioute vehicle ever had this vehicle is great for family’s and really recommend buying it
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Reasonable Deal - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Wing - November 8 - 8:06 amI have a regular wheel base. The interior is furnished with good quality material. The seats are comfortable. Handling is very car like with adequate power. I have never loaded up the van with 7 adults and cargo. I cannot tell whether the van has enough power when its fully loaded. There needs to have some improvement on the seat arrangement. In my opinion, there is too much leg room for the third row seat while the second row has barely enough legroom. If GM can rearrange the seats a little bit, it will make the van more passenger friendly. Fuel consumption for city drive is 14.6L/100km. Highway driving is about 10L/100km. my combined fuel consumption is 11.6L/100km.
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Build Quality leaves me disappointed - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By pgkuchar - September 11 - 5:53 amI purchased this van as a GM certified used vehicle with 10,000 miles on it. In the first week of having it I noticed transmission fluid dripping from under the engine. It turns out they needed to replace seals in the transaxle. This is major surgery on essentially a brand new vehicle. I traded a 2004 Kia with 30,000 miles on it that had never had a single issue, so I was very disappointed to have these kinds of problems immediately. The GM certification sure didnt mean much. I wonder now what else will be waiting for me from this point forward.
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Do not buy this vehicle - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Mike - June 9 - 3:40 amThis is the worst vehicle I have ever own and I have been driving for 28 years. The front end has been repaired twice, the interior stains with WATER, yes water. There is no leg room between the driver and middle row of seats. The middle row is so close that the seats cannot fold forward as the head rest hits the front seats. Sometimes it doesnt turn over for no reason. The only good thing is that Im trading it this week for a Ford Fusion. I hate this car so much that Im even taking a payout loss of $7000.00. DO NOT BUY THIS VAN.
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So glad to be rid of it!!!! - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By stlbluesfan - April 28 - 7:13 amWhat a piece of crap. Bought it used in 2007 with 34000 miles on it. Nothing but problems. Replaced the steering column after 1 year ($570), went through 2 sets of rotors (could not be turned, had to be replaced), front sway bars bad, wheel bearings bad, wouldnt start most of the time on first try, check engine light on intermittently, transmission starting to hard shift, sliding door stuck open more than once, rear windshield wiper motor burnt out, much much more...too much to keep listing here. All with only 86250 miles on it and regular service and maintenace. Traded it in on a 2007 Honda CR-V and could not be happier. Will never buy another GM product!!!
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Rental - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Pope - November 6 - 9:00 amRented the Montana SV6, for seven days, I received so many compliments, It is comfortable,roomy, and it looks like an SUV, but inside its set up like a minivan. I love it, trying to talk my husband into buying one buy very pricey.
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Why Another Pontiac - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Maryland - October 16 - 1:46 pmI wanted to add to a previous post that one of the reasons I chose a Pontiac is because I am still driving a 1992 Pontiac Transport. I turned 299,000 miles today and it is still running like new. The car has the original engine and has had no major engine work. I had the original transmission rebuilt at 284,000 miles. The overall maintenance costs have been extremely low. Who knows, I might get another 300,000 miles.
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Very Pleased - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Maryland - October 9 - 4:16 amA problem free car and the best riding minivan on the market. What a smooth ride. The DVD player is used constantly and my kids love it. I have the 3.9 Liter engine and the acceleration and power are phenomenal.
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Pontiac Montana SV6 - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By George J - October 5 - 10:06 pmThe interior design is very poor. The second row seats wont fold down because the head rests are so big they hit the front seats. Also, they dont flip up like my Chevvy Ventures seats did to make more room temporarily for cargo. They also have slippery rounded backs, so you cant carry anything on them when they are in the down position. They are too heavy for me to carry alone, whereas I could carry 2 of the Ventures seats at the same time. The third row seats are even heavier, requiring two people to move them. Further on the headrests, they are so large as to render rear vision very limited. You have to use the mirrors to back up. The dealership has been great though.
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An almost perfect car - 2006 Pontiac Montana SV6
By Ed Harrow - September 26 - 7:50 pmWe are short people and we can get in and out with ease. I have another GM car and it is a chore getting out because it is so low and I am 75. This is our second Montana and it out performs and rides better or equal to the 3 Cadillacs that I have owned. It is really quiet and free of vibrations just like a big car. I am glad to learn that handicap options are available however, I dont need any yet.
