The Pontiac brand is a division of the General Motors Company and offers a wide range of sporty, high-performance cars and SUVs at an affordable price. The Pontiac brand originated as the Oakland Car Company of Pontiac, Michigan, in 1907. Edward Murphy was the founder of this marque. Acquired by GM in 1909, Oakland introduced the first Pontiac vehicle in 1926. From 1926 to this day, Pontiac models are being sold in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The first General Motors Pontiac was powered by a six-cylinder engine, intended to compete with the four-cylinder models in the market. Within months, Pontiac outsold Oakland. The Oakland name was phased out in favor of Pontiac, the name of an 18th-century chief of the Ottawa Indians. Oakland's sales began to decline and it ceased production in 1932.

In the '30s and '40s, Pontiac built sedans, coupes and wagons in the low-to-mid price tags. A distinct styling cue of Pontiac vehicles during this time 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 Pontiac Bonneville made its debut in the '50s. This extensive, stylish car offered performance and luxury, and soon became a bestseller. The next decade saw the Pontiac brand emerge on its own with the compact Tempest. In 1964, Pontiac created the GTO option for the Tempest and made a huge impact; the first "muscle car" was created with the powerful 389 cubic-inch V-8 engine. Pontiac's Firebird and Firebird Trans Am vehicles sold out successfully in the latter half of '60s. The oil crisis of the '70s made fuel efficiency a top priority for car buyers. Following in the footsteps of its GM siblings, Pontiac made compact vehicles such as the Ventura and Phoenix. The launch of the two-passenger Pontiac Fiero in the '80s was another achievement for the maker. The Fiero went on to make a mark as a credible sports car. Sunfire, Montana and Grand Prix were introduced in the '90s. For the 2005 model year, the Pontiac brand took up a series of major changes; replacement of all its cars, both in name and personality. It is in the process of introducing all-new performance-oriented vehicles with unique design and styling. Today, there are more than 2,800 Pontiac dealerships in the United States.

2008 Pontiac G8 ($27,595)
All-new for 2008, the refined Pontiac G8 is a full-size sport sedan that offers dramatic styling and more power through its V-8 engine. Available in base and GT trim levels, it offers commendable ride and handling. The base is packed with a 256-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 engine, while the GT gets a 361-horsepower, 6.0-liter V-8 engine. The G8's interior space is ahead of all Pontiac models. Its seats are supportive and offer plenty of leg- and shoulder room. The trunk provides 17.4 cubic feet of cargo space.

2008 Pontiac G6 (starting at $19,175)
The 2008 Pontiac G6 line up offers more power choices than any other car in its class. The midsize G6 sedan, coupe and convertible are performance-oriented, stylish and spacious. For 2008, the G6 gets several changes in trim levels and features with the addition of side airbags and antilock brakes on all trim levels as standard amenity. All G6 models send their power through the front wheels. The 2008 Pontiac G6 four-door sedan is available in four trim levels: the Value Leader, base G6, GT and GXP. Coupes are offered in GT and GXP trim level, while the V-6 engine GT is the only trim available on the G6 convertible. The convertible gets a retractable hardtop design which takes less than 30 seconds for the top-down transformation.

2008 Pontiac G5 ($16,135)
The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a compact and refined sport coupe with sufficient power to handle most situations. The G5 offers improved fuel economy, decent acceleration and a smooth ride. It is available in base and GT trim. A 148- horsepower, 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder powers the base G5, while a stronger 171-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine is fitted to the GT trim.

2008 Pontiac Solstice ($22,785)
The 2008 Pontiac Solstice is an impressive roadster that offers unique styling, thrilling performance, plentiful grip and attractive pricing. It is available in base and high-performance GXP trim levels. The base gets a 177-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, while the GXP is powered by a 260-horsepower, turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. For 2008, the Pontiac Solstice offers a few former optional features as standard; the OnStar, a trip computer, an acoustic headliner for the soft top, an upgraded audio system with satellite radio and MP3 playback for the CD player.

2008 Pontiac Grand Prix ($22,960)
The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix is a four-door sedan that offers a comfortable ride, solid handling, respectable cargo space and user-friendly controls. The Grand Prix is available in two trim levels - base and GXP. The base is motivated by a 200-horsepower, 3.8-liter V-6 engine, while the GXP gets a big upgrade with a robust 303-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine. There is a 16 cubic feet of trunk space in its interior. For 2008, the GT model and its V-6 engine have been eliminated.

2008 Pontiac Torrent ($23,835)
The 2008 Pontiac Torrent is a midsize crossover SUV. The five-passenger Torrent offers a versatile and spacious cabin and a long list of features. It is available in two trim levels - the base and the new GXP with a choice of either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The base is equipped with a 185-horsepower, 3.4-liter V-6 engine, while the GXP which makes its debut this year gets a 264-horsepower 3.6-liter V-6 engine. The interior provides 35 cubic feet of cargo space behind the upright rear seats, and 69 cubes with the seats folded. Changes for 2008 model year include equipment adjustments and a retuned suspension for regular Torrent versions.

2009 Pontiac Vibe ($15,895)
The Pontiac Vibe receives a complete makeover for 2009. It is a compact sporty four-door hatchback/wagon with a spacious backseat, flexible cargo space and extensive safety features. It comes in two trim levels - the base and GT, plus the base can be had with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD). The base is motivated by a 132-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, while the GT and base AWD get a 158-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Maximum cargo space is 49.4 cubic feet in the 2009 Vibe.