We just returned from a trip to Newfoundland. While we were there, we rented a car and I once again got the opportunity to test drive a new car. I usually have a leaning towards foreign vehicles, despite some of their quips and quirks. I do try to be open minded about these things though. Obviously, there are differences that may or may not matter to most. The shift points were a little different than what I’m used to, but they were still very reasonable.
The interior was pretty basic, but standard for the class. Cloth and plastic all over. The engine had torque though it felt like it was in a much higher RPM range than the Beta II in my Elantra. That’s one thing I didn’t like that much. I’m a fan of lower-end torque because during day-to day driving, most drivers don’t end up that high up in the RPM range. The fuel gauge spanned 3/4 of a circle. While it doesn’t really seem like it should matter, it certainly gave the impression of poor mileage. Even the briefest of drives seemed to move the needle. I doubt it was anywhere near as bad as my eyes told me. The Kilometer count and rough estimate of fuel I put in set the fuel consumption somewhere in and around the 10 L / 100 km range. That’s about the same as I get with my Elantra, though I do much more city driving with my car than I did with the G5.
Ride quality was a mixed bag. It was nice and firm at highway speeds, offering some fairly predictable lane changes, but upon accelerating hard from a stop, or through a corner, it felt more like a bucking bronco than a sporty little car. It wasn’t out of control, but it was beyond what most would describe as comfortable. The low profile tires helped when you were at speed, but wow, hit a pothole and your teeth fillings would rattle.
Fit of body panels and overall design of those same body panels was poor for today’s standards. Sure you can get away with this lack of thought thirty years ago, but in today’s market, you’re killing yourself. So there’s a few spots where the panels just don’t seem to come together properly. They were just too far apart. Then there’s the crinkles. Seriously, how can you show sheet metal like this? I have no doubt that there are crinkles like this on my Hyundai, but there’s one major difference. You can’t see them. In case GM isn’t aware, you can hide these things with the plastic trim that’s hiding most of the seams. In the G5’s case, the trim just seems to fell short leaving the crinkles. Now this isn’t an assembly issue, it’s a fundamental design flaw.
So was there anything good about the car? Well it was a car. It worked, got us to where we needed to be. The only true problem with it is its competition. The G5 is simply not up to the task of competing with the other vehicles in its class. If perfect information was available and consumers would make educated decisions, I have a hard time believing they could really sell any of these things.
I’m not a market expert. I’m just a consumer, and GM is just a company dying due to lack of connection with the consumer. So you can take what you want from this review.
Rose@Legal Articles // Apr 25, 2009 at 11:40 am
The things you discovered about the G5 are disappointing because it’s a Pontiac. People expect more from luxury cars because they cost more.
Medyum Aura // Apr 25, 2009 at 10:42 pm
Right people like luxory and expect much from every money that they gave for cars
Gume // Apr 26, 2009 at 4:52 am
I never liked Pontiac anyway.
Ling // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:21 am
GM lost touch with their consumers along, long time ago. For the last 10 years or so, they’ve been producing cars solely to keep their workers employed and the bonuses flowing for the execs. Maybe they’ll learn to make cars again after tehy go bankrupt.
Antoine // Apr 26, 2009 at 1:54 pm
This things are very disappointing. Thank you for your post.
Bojan Babic // Apr 26, 2009 at 5:43 pm
Like Pontiac !!!!
Malcolm // Apr 26, 2009 at 10:04 pm
We find out tomorrow, but it looks like they might shutter the Pontiac brand altogether:
http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssConsumerGoodsAndRetailNews/idUSWEN786420090426
horse saddles // Apr 28, 2009 at 10:35 am
2009 Pontiac G5 is not a luxury car to most people. Japanese cars are more luxurious than Pontiac. nice post.
gagan@Miami Web Design // Apr 28, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I don’t give a lot of attention for me the car is just a vehicle to travel
Khaled | beads // Apr 28, 2009 at 6:13 pm
Im not that familiar with the Pontiac range and just had a look at edmunds.com. It would seem the G5 is like Marmite you either love it or hate it, what a mixed bunch of reviews. The G5 GT 2dr Coupe seems to get a very good review.
Sid Savage Auto Dealer Supply // Apr 29, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Well it is cheaper than many of its sports car competitors, so I guess it competes in that way. But looks like this will be the last edition of the vehicle considering GM is scrapping Pontiac.
Kostenloses Girokonto // May 2, 2009 at 9:07 pm
But too expensive more myself. But it looks ok.
car parts wholesale // May 6, 2009 at 3:53 am
It is indeed expensive but owning these kinds of luxury cars are status symbols. Once you have one, you can brag about it to your friends.
Des Moines Pontiac // May 7, 2009 at 6:50 pm
With the 2009 Pontiac G5, people either love it or hate it. Though i have to say, Pontiac does have some other cars and upcoming vehicles that are really nice.
Voice Mail Saying // May 12, 2009 at 4:04 am
Im not that familiar with the Pontiac range and just had a look at edmunds.com.
Automagazined.com // May 13, 2009 at 10:13 am
Pontiac is indeed expensive but having these symbolize the luxurious status, no matter what equipped or features they are.
Digital Printing // May 19, 2009 at 1:01 pm
Yes they do come in automatics I have 2 on my lot right now. I would say get a chevy cobalt its the same car just looks a bit different on the front to help save you some money. The G5’s are good cars we have had few problems with the they tend to have more equipment than the cobalt’s.
Thai Food // May 21, 2009 at 4:52 pm
Well it is cheaper than many of its sports car competitors, so I guess it competes in that way.
Weight Loss Fitness // May 21, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Im not that familiar with the Pontiac range and just had a look at edmunds.com. It would seem the G5 is like Marmite you either love it or hate it, what a mixed bunch of reviews.
Seafood // May 21, 2009 at 4:53 pm
Maybe they’ll learn to make cars again after tehy go bankrupt.
Canaryproject // Jul 14, 2009 at 10:24 am
Great car. but i prefer to ferrari