2005 Pontiac G6 Test Drive

A new kind of Pontiac: Less flash, more dash, absolutely worth the cash

This all-new Pontiac model is a mid-size, front-wheel-drive, 4-door sports sedan, built on a European platform and powered by a traditional American pushrod V-6 engine. Options include a manual-shift automatic transmission and panoramic roof with sliding panels. The G6 is available in Base and GT models; Base price is $21,300, GT $23,925. GT as tested $26,075. EPA mileage: 20 mpg city, 30 mpg highway. 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

First glance

Consider the G6 the most important step in the rebirth of Pontiac. This Bimmer-wannabee is still market-positioned as a sports sedan but gone is the flash-and-splash styling of previous years and with it those garish Buck Rogers interiors. The G6 is nothing if not tasteful, to the point where its most noteable styling characteristic is a unique S-shaped waistline. The familiar twin-port grille remains, a Pontiac signature (dare we say also influenced by BMW?) that helps distinguish it from the competition. (Hey... I'm for cars with familiar faces.) Under the skin is GM's European Epsilon platform, offering exceptional rigidity plus a sophisticated all-wheel independent suspension. Pontiac's chassis engineers are masters at developing superior roadholding from the most ordinary of platforms and they've succeeded in taking an already good one a stage further. In the G6 the rear wheels have been moved back, creating a longer wheelbase without increasing overall length. This improves both ride and roadholding. It is also intended to create more rear seat roominess but as we'll see in a moment, inches don't always add up to comfort. Still, the Pontiac G6 was designed as a sports sedan, which inevitably demands compromise.

In the Driver's Seat

So there I was, driving out of the BC Ferries lot near Vancouver, using a jumbo-size Starbucks as an armrest. Colin Hefferon brought the Pontiac G6 to the docks and this being AM, had consumed considerable wake-up juice. There was no other spot for the container except in one of two cupholders located behind the shift lever. Hint: If you buy a G6, do not drink Slurpees. Actually, this was the second jolt to my anatomy. The first happened on the way in. The A-pillar is severely slanted and the door does not extend into the roof, thus anyone 6-foot tall or over 50, or especially both, is bound to suffer unless exceptionally limber. It got worse when we climbed into the back. That marvellous sunroof's operating mechanism cuts several inches of headroom, the left-side passenger gets a lousy view forward because the driver has raised his seat in order to compensate for a high waistline, and the coupe-like styling makes entry and exit downright miserable. Kids and short people excepted. On the other hand, the dash is exquisitely simple, perhaps too plain as the designers scrambled to compensate for sins of the past in what is otherwise a driver-oriented cockpit. I do love that red LED backlighting but wish the numerals were larger.

On the Road

It's on a winding road that a car reveals its character. Pretenders hide while sports machines out-corner, out-brake, out-perform. In this case admirably, for the Pontiac G6 is a delight to drive when the road snakes through hills and valleys; I agree with a journalist who declared it the best-handing sedan under $30,000. Indeed the finest compliment I can offer is that I felt at home the moment I began driving the G6 and would happily have taken it home for good, complaints about headroom notwithstanding. The electrically-assisted variable power steering is responsive, especially quick in the GT. 4-wheel disc brakes with ABS (standard in GT, optional in base) proved themselves with Colin at the wheel when a cyclist ran a red light (though he later cursed that view-blocking A-pillar). I should complain that Pontiac uses an old-fashioned pushrod engine (press releases describe it as new, perhaps because of the aluminum heads), and yet I had few complaints about its accelerative ability. Or the sweet sound, for that matter. All Pontiac G6's come with a 4-speed auto but the GT allows manual shifting. That does not, however, compensate for the lack of a 5-speed manual, the one missing link.

Journey's End

Parked the 2005 Pontiac G6 at water's edge to take photos. With a freighter steaming upriver and morning sun adding highlights, the perfect picture moment. Perfect, also, for my digital camera's batteries to die. Rats! Ah, well, took time to tote up some of the things I liked. Such as a well-located handbrake that reminded me of an umbrella handle designed by, say, Michael Graves. An amazing sunroof, reminiscent of those in old Beetles and Citroen 2CV's, except this one operates like a glass venetian blind. Split-folding rear seat folds flat, presenting a nicely-ribbed surface. Too bad the trunk liftover is so high and the opening small; you won't be taking home large-screen TV's in this baby. The black fabric is attractive and long-wearing, rear seat headrests very European, but there is not one grab handle front or back and only the seat height adjustment is power-assisted. Small detail, yet I liked the straight-ahead-on-the dash ignition key input; no more fumbling in the dark. Overall, I'd say the Pontiac G6 GT is America's finest sports sedan, very reminiscent of GM's best in Europe. But then, I don't buy into the rear-drive, V-8 philosophy in some current Detroit products. Sorry... yesterday's news, folks.