Pontiac G5 Review

2008 Pontiac G5 GT Coupe Shown

For better and worse, the Pontiac G5 coupe is a rather obvious example of "badge engineering." This term describes the situation where a manufacturer takes an existing vehicle from a related carmaker and makes a few minor changes to things like the grille design, headlights, taillights, interior materials and trim and then badges the vehicle under its own name. This is nothing new, of course, and not necessarily a bad thing either, provided the shared platform is rock-solid and fully competent.

Regrettably, that's not the case with the Pontiac G5, a twin of corporate cousin Chevy's compact Cobalt coupe. With its more stylish twin-port grille leading the way, the G5 is stuck with the same strengths and weaknesses. The good news is that the G5 achieves passing marks in performance, ride quality and crash test scores. But we suspect savvier shoppers in this class are more interested in overall quality, comfort and relative sophistication than simple boy-racer styling and feature content. Compared to most of its competitors, the G5 comes up short in terms of interior design and quality, handling dynamics and refinement.

Current Pontiac G5

There are two trim levels for the Pontiac G5 compact coupe: base and GT. The base model comes with a decent amount of equipment, including air-conditioning, powered accessories, keyless entry and a CD/MP3 audio system. The uplevel G5 GT adds equipment like a larger engine, Bluetooth, 17-inch alloy wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and cruise control. Additional options, such as a Pioneer audio system, iPod connectivity, satellite radio and leather upholstery, are also available.

A 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder powers the G5 with 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual, with a four-speed automatic available as an option.

Inside, attractive gauges and a full-featured stereo give the Pontiac G5 a contemporary feel, and metallic accents on the gear shifter, steering wheel and doors brighten the otherwise stark cabin of the GT. Both models feature a trip computer that provides useful information such as outside temperature, fuel range and coolant temperature. But even with the optional premium leather trim, our editors have found the seat design plain and lacking in comfort -- especially in back, where the bench is flat and low and the quarters cramped.

On the road, our editors note that either G5 engine provides ample power for just about any situation. Commuters will enjoy the Pontiac's smooth, quiet ride but will probably be less impressed with the car's handling and directional responsiveness when the road starts to bend. The base G5's suspension allows too much body roll, and the electric steering system on both models is slow, with minimal feedback. In terms of driving enjoyment and overall refinement, the Pontiac G5 ranks well behind class leaders like the Honda Civic, Mini Cooper, Scion tC and Volkswagen Rabbit.

Used Pontiac G5 Models

The Pontiac G5 debuted for the 2007 model year with two available engines. The base G5 came with a 2.2-liter inline four-cylinder good for 148 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque, while the uplevel G5 GT came with a more potent 2.4-liter inline-4 that made 173 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. For 2008, all models received side curtain airbags and satellite radio as standard equipment, while the GT trim got stability control and OnStar as standard. The 2.4-liter motor was discontinued after 2008, and Bluetooth and iPod connectivity were unavailable until 2009.

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* Edmunds.com maintains vehicle data as far back as 1990.