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ROAD TEST: Finally, a Pontiac with personality: the G-8

Tom Incantalupo | ROAD TEST

May 9, 2008

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What typifies a Pontiac in 2008? A GTO? Nope, it's gone. Bonneville? Gone. Firebird and Fiero? Long gone. Aztek? Also, mercifully, gone.

Considering what's left in Pontiac showrooms - Chevrolet and Toyota clones that try to get in your face with boy-racer aesthetic touches in a feeble attempt at a Pontiac brand personality - it's hardly a surprise that the division's personality is cloudy and its sales have been in a free fall since 1999.

For '08, though, there's a glimmer of hope for Pontiac's reputation - and its dealers: the G8. It's another import from General Motors' Australian unit - yes, the same people who produced the ill-fated son-of-GTO. But the first rear-drive Pontiac sedan in more than 20 years looks like a winner.

In America, at least, the G8 is uniquely Pontiac, although the upcoming Chevrolet Camaro will share the same chassis. It's a mid-size sedan, with taut handling, a comfortable, quiet cabin, pretty good interior ergonomics and friendly prices - although its hard seats, an overly sensitive throttle and heavy steering might not be to everyone's taste.

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The G8 is available with a 256-hp. V-6 or, as I sampled it, a ripping 361-hp. V-8 that Pontiac has muzzled with a quiet exhaust but will launch the G8 from 0 to 60 mph in 5.3 seconds.

Although both engines prefer premium gas, Pontiac says they can get by on regular. The V-6 and its six-speed automatic are estimated by the Environmental Protection Agency to get 17 miles per gallon in city driving, 25 on the highway. The V-8/six-speed combo is good for only 15 mpg in local driving and 24 on the highway, says the EPA. I never saw an average higher than 21 mpg on the tester's driving computer, even though most of my travel was on the highway.

Pushing 4,000 pounds, the G8 feels as substantial as the Bonneville, but, with a balance of 50-50 front to rear, there's less tendency to plow than in the front-drive Bonne or smaller Grand Prix. (For winter driving there is traction control but no all-wheel-drive option, unfortunately.)

Prices for the G8 start at $27,595 with freight for the V-6 and $29,995 for the V-8 model. A 400-hp. GXP is to be added in the fall.

No rebates on this model right now, but GM is offering low-interest financing. Sunroof and leather seating are available. OnStar turn-by-turn navigation is available, but there is no rear-seat entertainment system.

The interior evidences a German influence - though it's not clear from where. There are Blaupunkt stereos, power window switches on the center console and low-gloss, richly textured dashboard and door trim, tastefully accented by a low-luster aluminumlike trim.

But the analog gauges in front of the driver wash out badly in sunlight, and so do the oil and voltage indicators off in the center of the dash.

On sale since early March, the G8 obviously is too new to have a track record for reliability. J.D. Power and Associates buyer survey results present a mixed picture of Pontiac in general: The cars score slightly below average in dependability over three years and way below average in customer satisfaction in the first three months of ownership.

The G8 is covered by a three- year/36,000- miles bumper-to-bumper warranty, with five years or 100,000 miles on the powertrain. Neither the federal government nor the private Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has published crash test results for the G8.

2008 Pontiac G8 GT

Vehicle tested:

Engine: 6.0-liter V-8, 361 hp.

Fuel: premium

Transmission: six-speed automatic, rear wheel drive

Safety: dual front, side and curtain air bags; four-wheel disc brakes with antilock brakes and stability control; OnStar; tire pressure monitoring; daytime running lamps, fog lamps.

Place of assembly:

Adelaide, Australia

Trunk: 17.5 cubic feet

EPA fuel economy

estimates: 15 mpg, city;

24, highway

Price as driven: $31,245 including freight