2009 PONTIAC G6

The 2009 PONTIAC G6 brings a fresh appearance some nice engineering  upgrades to this sporty lineup of midsize sedans, coupes and  convertibles.

A mid-year freshening gives these late-2009 models a sharper look up  front, more like that of the top-level GXP. And the four-cylinder is now  offered with an optional six-speed automatic transmission that delivers  EPA-estimated fuel economy of 22 mpg in the city and 33 on the highway.

We’ve found these cars enjoyable to drive and quite pleasant. The G6  two-door coupe is sleek and sporty, the convertible features a dramatic  folding

hardtop, and the sedan is an attractive alternative to other  midsize sedans. Most come with V6 engines, though the sedan is available  with a four-cylinder engine.

2009 PONTIAC G6

For 2009, XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all models. And several  new option packages, which according to Pontiac were inspired by  consumer demand, make it easier to upgrade and personalize the G6. As  before OnStar, side airbags and anti-lock brakes are standard equipment  on all G6′s.

We’ve found the G6 GT and GXP models to have good road manners, even  when driven hard, thanks to their long wheelbase and European-designed  architecture.

This is based on test drives of the G6 GT sedan, GT  Convertible, and GXP coupe.

2009 PONTIAC G6

The price point makes the PONTIAC G6 a popular choice as a mid-size  sedan and we’ve found it roomy and plush with excellent overall  function. The coupe is comfortable and sporty. And for a real open-top  experience, the convertible features one of the longest retractable  hardtop roofs in production.

The G6 offers some interesting features. It can be started remotely from  the comfort of your home by pressing a button on the key fob, a luxury  on bitter cold winter mornings or sweltering summer afternoons. The G6  was designed to offer a strong value among midsize cars, and we think  it’s an alternative worth considering.

2006 Pontiac G6 GTP convertible interior

The G6 interior is altogether different from the somewhat excitable, frenetic soft-plastic, fat-knob theme of the old Grand Ams. It is much darker, more modern, more European.

The sporty front bucket seats are made for body comfort and body retention in high-speed maneuvers, and they are very comfortable and thickly padded.

2006 Pontiac G6 interior

Rear-seat space benefits from the relatively long wheelbase of 112.3 inches. In the sedan, a 6-foot, 4-inch passenger can sit behind a 6-foot, 4-inch driver with plenty of room. Those with tall friends or family may want to remember that the Panoramic sunroof is powered by a motor that takes up a big chunk of headroom at the trailing edge of the sedan’s headliner. The coupe’s rear seating is a little tighter, and the convertible’s tighter still, especially in shoulder and hip room.

The dash is done in four major sections including a stark, ungrained plastic center stack that holds two vents, the sound system, heater controls, and a 12-volt power outlet. Instruments and controls are presented in white on black (red at night). Every single knob and escutcheon has a chrome ring around it. Very tastful, and nicely presented, with small, conservative graphics on the faces and labels. The center stack has a red-LED readout and control panel that allows every owner to use the sound system’s features, and to customize the locking, lighting, and other functions, with a trip computer and driver information system that’s easy, intuitive, and fun to use.

2006 Pontiac G6 convertible interior

This G6 offers a remote starting system for those cold winter mornings, power adjustable pedals, and OnStar and XM Satellite Radio, which use a single integrated antenna for 2006.

The Panoramic roof available for the four-door sedan comes open in four stacking segments, front to rear, and has about twice as much open area as the conventional sunroof, which is also offered. It’s remarkable how easily it works, and keeps conversation possible even at very high road speeds. It’s an interesting feature and we recommend it.

2006 Pontiac G6 GTP interior

The two-door convertible’s top was engineered with Karmann, which specializes in convertibles. The big top opens and closes within 30 seconds, storing under the truck lid and a hard tonneau cover when open.

The trunk is still accessible when the top is down, but space is reduced from a tiny 5.8 cubic feet to a grocery-bag sized 1.8 cubic feet. By comparison, the coupe offers 11 cubic feet of trunk space, while the sedan offers 14 cubic feet. Obviously, that can limit your use of the convertible’s top-down mode on long trips.

2006 Pontiac G6

2006 Pontiac G6 GTP Sedan

2006 Pontiac G6 coupe

2005 Pontiac G6

2005 Pontiac G6 Overview

With the new G6, Pontiac has put a stake in the ground, challenging the Honda Accord, Nissan Altima and Mazda 6 to beat it on sheer value. That was the central message at the recent introduction of the car that finally replaces, and becomes the sixth generation of, the Pontiac Grand Am, first introduced in 1974 as a much larger car, and evolving down to the all-new Generation 6, or G6.

Initially, the Pontiac G6 is being launched as a sporty four-door sedan, available in SE and GT trim levels. Initially, all will be equipped with a 3.5-liter V6. By spring 2005, the G6 line will include sporty two-door coupes and convertibles, each with unique styling. Three engines will be available: a four-cylinder, a 3.5-liter V6, and a high-performance 3.9-liter V6, the latter in a new GTP model. All come standard with four-speed automatic transmissions, though a high-performance six-speed manual gearbox will be available for the GTP.

2005 Pontiac G6 Overview

We found the G6 has good road manners even when driven hard, benefits of its long wheelbase and European-designed architecture. The sedan is roomy and plush with excellent overall function and its price point will make it popular choice as a mid-size sedan. The G6 offers some interesting features. The car can be started remotely by pressing a button on the key fob from the comfort of your home, a real luxury on bitter cold winter mornings or sweltering summer afternoons. A Panoramic roof is available with panels that slide rearward, creating a sunroof large enough for the back-seat riders to enjoy an open-air experience.

Pontiac G6 Concept interior

2006 Pontiac G6 review

The 2006 Pontiac G6 sedan comes standard with a four-cylinder engine ($17,865), but is also available with the V6 ($19,065). (All prices are MSRP and do not include the $625 destination charge).

The sportier GT model is available in sedan ($21,365), coupe ($21,165), and convertible ($27,865) body styles. The GT models come standard with the V6, ABS, and 17-inch wheels and tires. They’re upgraded with a four-way seat with power height adjustment and a 200-watt Monsoon premium sound system.

The high-performance GTP is available as a sedan ($23,065), coupe ($22,865), or convertible ($29,365). The GTP features its own special 3.9-liter V6 engine and higher-capacity 4T65-E four-speed automatic transaxle. A manual six-speed wide-ratio transaxle is optional on GTP sedan and coupe models.

Options include XM Satellite Radio ($325), a standard-sized sunroof ($800), remote starting ($190), and chrome-finish 17-inch wheels ($700). Various options packages are available, including a Leather Package for the GT and GTP ($1,365). The Panoramic roof ($1500) is available for GT and GTP sedans.

Safety features that come on all models include driver and passenger front airbags (the passenger side airbag features occupant detection) and seatbelts with pretentioners. (Make sure you wear them.) Optional are side-impact air bags and head curtain airbags ($690) and anti-lock brakes packaged with traction control. What kind of traction control you get depends on the trim level. Basic traction assist is available on the base model, full-spectrum traction control on the GT, and traction control with the GM/Delphi Stabilitrak chassis control system will be available on the GTP. OnStar ($695) is an excellent safety feature for its ability to summon help. We recommend opting for all this stuff. Stabilitrak can help you avoid a wreck. Side-impact airbags are designed to protect your torso while curtain airbags are designed to provide head protection in a side impact. Head injuries are the leading cause of fatalities in side impacts.

2005 Pontiac G6 Roush Signature Edition

Pontiac G6 Roush Signature Edition 2005

2008 Pontiac G6 GT Coupe

The most important news for the 2008 model year is the availability of the GXP coupe and sedan. They replace the GTP as the performance models and are fitted with GM’s fine 252-hp, 3.6-liter DOHC V-6 mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission with manumatic control. The GXP also features standard leather seats, dual chrome exhaust tips, and more aggressive front and rear fascias and rocker panels.

On the other models, front-seat side airbags, anti-lock brakes, traction control, OnStar, and an auxiliary audio input jack are now standard. GT models now have standard XM satellite radio.

Pontiac G6 Overview

Pontiac G6 was introduced in 2005, it had two levels, base “V6″ and the sport version “GT”. Both trims, however, used a 3.5 L pushrod V6 providing 200 horse power (150 kw) along with 220 lbf·ft (300 N·m) of torque. Matched to a four-speed automatic transmission, the GT featured TAPshift, where the driver could simply select the gears manually. Basic models were well equipped, featuring electrical power locks, windows and mirrors with keyless entry, six-speaker CD stereo system, power seat, air conditioning and split foldable rear seat. GTs added an eight-speaker Monsoon stereo, premium cloth seats with six-way adjustment, remote start, ABS along with traction force control.

In 2006, the G6 added two brand new trim levels and two new bodystyles, a coupe and a retractable hard top convertible car. The brand new trim levels were an innovative base four-cylinder trim (occasionally known as “SE”), and the powerful “GTP”. Coupes and convertibles appeared to be available in GT and GTP trims only. The brand new basic model utilised a 167-horse power, 2.4 L DOHC inline-4, mated to a four-speed automatic transmission. The 3.5 L V6 seemed to be now part of a sport-package for the base/SE, and remained standard on the GT. The new GTP used a 3.9 L version of the GT’s 3.5 L V6, and also utilizes variable valve timing (VVT), increasing output to 240 horsepower. A four-speed automatic transmission was standard, but for no cost, a six-speed manual transmission was available. The GTP convertible car wasn’t available with the manual transmission and lowered its power to 227 hp, due to a much more restrictive exhaust system. The GTP also features stability control, unavailable on other G6 models.

The 2007 G6 noticed much more engine changes, and standard side torso and side curtain airbags (actually introduced late in the 2006 model year) were completely new. The GT currently featured VVT on its 3.5 L V6, increasing power from 200 hp to 224 horsepower. The 3.9 L V6 started to be an option on the GT, producing 227 horsepower in automatic transmission form and 240 hp in manual transmission form. The GTP was presented with a new 3.6 L DOHC V6 with 24 valves and VVT, producing 252 horsepower. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Midway through the model year the six-speed was dropped with the 3.9 L, together with its 240 horsepower output. The GTP convertible was also discontinued. For 2008, the GTP became the GXP with additional dramatic styling cues, plus the 3.9 L engine became a unique convertible choice, with horsepower down to 222.

For 2009, the G6 sedan added a sport package that added the GXP’s six-speed automatic transmission. Midway through the model year, the G6 was presented with a face lift, with a revised front and rear fascia in addition to a revision on the interior.