 Video highlights of this vehicle
What Is It?
2005 Pontiac G6
What's Special About It?
It's taken awhile, but it looks like GM has finally got this platform-sharing thing down. We've never been opposed to the idea per se, but in too many instances in the past cars that shared platforms were just too similar for our tastes. The G6 is the third production car to utilize General Motors' Epsilon platform but it wouldn't be overstating it to say most new car buyers will never see the family resemblance. If it seems like the G6 looks a little bigger than its stablemate, the Malibu, that's because the Pontiac uses the lengthened version of the Epsilon platform like the Malibu Maxx. As with most Pontiacs, the G6 is heavy on style — only this time around the styling is bold without being tacky. The car stands out but does not look garish and thankfully the plastic cladding of Pontiacs past has been ditched in favor of clean, simple lines.
Based on the recent G6 Concept, the production version offers sufficient muscle to back up the sporty looks. There will eventually be three engine choices; one four-cylinder and two V6s. The top-of-the-line GTP (which is due later in the model year) comes with a normally aspirated 3.9-liter engine that's good for 240 horsepower. Pontiac is trying to keep (or rebuild) its performance car customer base by offering a shift-it-yourself automatic or an optional six-speed manual transmission. Other versions include a model with a 170-hp, 2.4-liter Ecotec engine due in 2006, and a 200-hp, 3.5-liter V6 which is standard on the GT. Sixteen-inch wheels are standard on the base, but GT and GTP models get 17s with 18-inch wheels available as an option.
A unique feature to the G6 is the panoramic sunroof that opens in four sections and remains exposed when it's open. The effect is that it looks like a roof spoiler. Combined with the small antenna that resides at the front edge of the roof, the G6 tends to look a little European. A four-door sedan is due to go on sale in the fall of 2004, but a sporty coupe and later a convertible version of the G6 will hit showrooms.
What's Edmunds' Take?
While GM won't officially call the G6 a Grand Am replacement, the company has said the Grand Am will not live beyond the 2005 model year. The G6 is really nothing like the Grand Am but it will take its place as Pontiac's volume car. It looks like GM may finally be fielding a serious alternative to Nissan's ultracool Altima. — Brian Moody
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