2002 Pontiac Montana Review
2002 Pontiac Montana Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Available eight-passenger seating, folding third-row seat (extended length models), optional rear parking aid sensor, spunky V6, sporty handling, available all-wheel drive, optional DVD video player.
Cons
- Weak offset crash-test scores, cheap interior materials, unrefined powertrain character.
What’s new
Pontiac's big news for the Montana this year is the availability of the Versatrak all-wheel-drive system. Also debuting this year on the Montana is the Thunder Sport package and a very cool DVD entertainment system.
Edmunds says
If you can stomach the heavy doses of plastic trim both inside and out, the Montana offers peppy performance and comfortable passenger accommodations in a feature-laden package.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2002 Pontiac Montana Value Fwd 4dr Minivan (3.4L 6cyl 4A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$217/mo for Montana Value
Montana Value
vs
$183/mo
Avg. Compact Minivan
Vehicle overview
Ever since it took on the rugged Montana name and a pseudo-SUV marketing angle, Pontiac's fun-to-drive minivan has been gaining attention as a worthy challenger to its rivals.
Like most other minivan makers, Pontiac offers optional power sliding doors on both the driver and passenger sides. Unlike most minivans, however, the Montana can be configured to accommodate up to eight passengers. Furthermore, Chrysler, Ford and Toyota vans feature removable third-row seats, but they're heavy suckers to unload. The Montana can be equipped with a handy folding third-row bench that creates a flat load floor when stowed or lightweight modular seating that can be configured in a wide variety of ways. Montana buyers can even get a reverse parking aid sensor, rear-seat audio controls and a DVD video player to make family life in the 'burbs more pleasant.
For motivation, the Montana features a 3.4-liter 185-horsepower V6 that gets 19 mpg in the city and 26 on the highway. Around town, Montana feels downright spunky, with good throttle response and car-like handling. Its four-speed automatic shifts seamlessly, and braking is excellent. Front seats are comfy, and controls are easy to see and use.
In the safety column, dual front and side airbags are standard, as are antilock brakes and daytime running lights that operate the parking lamps rather than the headlights. Self-sealing tires that won't lose their air when they suffer a minor tread puncture and a rear window defogger are standard, along with a ventilation system that features a replaceable pollen filter. The OnStar communications system is also included on all Montanas, making it easy to call for help should the need arise.
New this year on extended-wheelbase Montanas is a Thunder Sport package that adds a fully independent suspension, 16-inch aluminum wheels, two-tone leather, a rear spoiler and the all-important "Thunder" badging. Also new for 2002 is the availability of GM's Versatrak all-wheel-drive system, making the Montana a much more capable all-weather vehicle. If you like the styling and need maximum passenger capacity in a feature laden package, the Montana might just be the minivan that your family is looking for.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2002 Pontiac Montana.
5 star(36%)
4 star(35%)
3 star(18%)
2 star(9%)
1 star(2%)
55 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
3.38 out of 5 stars
Designed to fail catastrophically
Saaphiel, 09/02/2010
2002 Pontiac Montana Fwd 4dr Ext Minivan (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
For the longest time, the van seemed to be doing all right. Certainly it was comfy to drive, mileage was great, but then things started breaking. A/C, door seals, ABS light, headlights full of water after rain causing me to buy new halogen bulbs every month, various electrical gremlins. The final nail in the coffin was the gaskets failing. Plenty of oil and plenty of coolant, suddenly … mixed together then cooling and coagulating in the engine to a peanut butter like consistency. It's being hauled to the auto wreckers this week. Rather than throw the equivalent of a down payment on a new car at this miserable van to fix it, I bought a Toyota 4 Runner instead.
4 out of 5 stars
Excellent Value - Great Used Car!
Jim, 12/01/2008
2002 Pontiac Montana Fwd 4dr Ext Minivan (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
I purchased my loaded Montana that was gently used by a retired couple. The car was showroom clean with about 27,000 miles. It currently just broke 80,000 miles (an average of 12k/year). The van has done everything I've asked it to do. It had industry/segment leading cargo capacity and volume at the time. Its driving dynamics are excellent for a van. It was much better than the previous … generation Toyota Sienna we compared it to. I think it will bring me many years of reliable service. I plan to keep it until about 220,000 miles. Buy one of these severly depreciated vehicles at a fire sale price and you wont be disappointed. I've had minor problems not worth mentioning.
3.63 out of 5 stars
It just wont die
L Kampf, 02/08/2010
2002 Pontiac Montana MontanaVision Fwd 4dr Ext Minivan (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
My Montana has 430'000 K on it and and its still driving with out any problems, and its not like we took very good care of it. The mechanic bet us that if we diden't take it for an oil change every 10'000k it would die before 100'000k, suffice to say he owes use 4 dinners now. All the interior instrumints are broken/ falling appart. The screne for the radio/ clock won't work. knobs on … the rear fan speed fell off at 120'000k but in the end people who buy vans really are not looking for anything that can get them and their cargo/ passengers from point A to point B, and this van is fantastic on it.
4.13 out of 5 stars
A pleasure to drive.....
helsey, 09/16/2010
2002 Pontiac Montana Fwd 4dr Ext Minivan (3.4L 6cyl 4A)
I got this vehicle with the intention of driving across Canada and using the van to sleep in to save on accommodation costs. I love this van. I have driven 24,000 km in 5 months and have found this van very reliable and very economical. If doing highway driving and on cruise control have managed to get 1000 km to a full tank. I found it very spacious and have a double mattress in her. I … have enjoyed driving her and found the captain's chairs very comfortable even when driving 800 km in a day. I wouldn't hesitate in recommending these vans.
2002 Montana Highlights
Value
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $24,515 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Gas |
Combined MPG | 20 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $217/month |
Seating | 6 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 19.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Montana include:
- Alarm
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover3 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalPoor
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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