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What Is It?

2006 Pontiac Solstice

What's Special About It?

Pontiac officials are calling it a renaissance but all you really need to know is that the Solstice is one of several really cool Pontiacs being shown at this year's North American International Auto Show in Detroit. If the exterior styling doesn't impress you, then the interior certainly will. The Solstice is just one more concept that General Motors thought was so interesting that it just had to build it. It seems like this trend of quickly putting concept cars into production began with the SSR show in 1999. We certainly can't argue with GM's thinking here, it knows all too well that no one is going to buy a Pontiac that doesn't offer some kind of "wow" factor. Some Pontiac cars of the recent past have had us saying "wow" for a completely different reason. With the Solstice, G6 and the new Grand Prix, Pontiac is obviously exercising a kind of restraint. Many designers we spoke to about the Solstice used words like "basic" and "simple" to describe both the interior and exterior design — either way, it just works.

If the GTO is the top-of-the-line Pontiac in terms of performance and price, then the Solstice is at the exact opposite end of the spectrum but without sacrificing good looks. Odd as it seems, the Solstice could be the next Miata. Think about the impact the Miata had when it first went on sale and see if you don't think this car on styling alone could make the same kind of mark.

Powered by a 170-hp, 2.4-liter engine, the Solstice's numbers easily top such competitors as VW's New Beetle Cabrio, as well as the Mazda Miata and Mini Cooper.

What's Edmunds' Take?

Based on GM's new Kappa small-car, rear-wheel-drive platform, the Solstice is cool-looking, and should be able to provide plenty of driving fun to match. — Brian Moody