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Pontiac G8 Review

The G8 GT combines potent V8 power with responsive handling that belies its large size. But you'll pay for that power at the pump.


Trim line GT
Drivetrain 361-hp, 6.0-liter V8;
six-speed automatic
Major options Heated power leather seats, sunroof, all-season tires
Tested price $33,660

HIGHS | Acceleration, transmission,
steering, handling, ride, rear seat
value

LOWS | Fuel economy, controls

The G8 Line
Body style Sedan
Drive wheels Rear
Trim lines Base, GT, GXP
Engines & transmission 3.6-liter V6 (256 hp), 6.0-liter V8 (361 hp), 6.2-liter V8 (402 hp);
6-speed manual, 5-speed automatic, 6-speed automatic
Base price range $28,190-$31,555

As a bargain sports sedan that can challenge the performance of models from BMW and Mercedes, the Pontiac G8 is a success.

Based on General Motors' Holden Commodore from Australia, the G8 handles and rides as well as the best cars in its class. Interior quality is good but not luxurious, and some controls are peculiar. The G8 GT's acceleration is very impressive, but the downside of that is poor fuel economy. The G8 is a new model, so reliability is still unknown.

Handling, ride, and drivetrain

The G8 GT's huge, 361-horsepower, 6.0-liter V8 engine makes it blisteringly quick, posting 5.7 seconds from 0 to 60 mph. But our G8 got just 17 mpg overall on regular fuel. The smooth six-speed automatic transmission with a tall sixth gear makes highway cruising relaxed. A 256-hp, 3.6-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic is available in the base G8, but we didn't test it because a more powerful V6 with a six-speed automatic will arrive for 2010.

We liked the throaty engine note of the V8 and found wind and tire noise well suppressed. But the tires slap loudly over bumps. The G8 combines rough-and-tumble American muscle with a supple and well-controlled European-style ride.

The G8 is a fun car to hustle through corners and has agile handling. The steering is quick and well weighted and gives excellent feedback. At its limit, the G8 is stable, well balanced, and responsive.

Inside the cabin

Controls for mirrors, locks, and windows are between the seats. The interior is more utilitarian than luxurious. There are lots of plastic mold lines and loose fits, and some sharp edges, but most materials are nice. Overall, it doesn't quite feel cheap, just a little bland.

This big sedan has generous space, with plenty of head, leg, and foot room. The steering wheel tilts and telescopes, but some complained that the nonadjustable shoulder anchor makes the safety belt uncomfortable.

Wide front seats are supportive, but adjusting them is a chore. The space between the seat and door is tight, so it's difficult to get to the power-cushion adjuster. The manual recline knob, mounted at the seatback's base, is a long reach back and is stiff to turn. The rear seat is spacious, even for three adults. Even with the low seat cushion, it's easy to get comfortable because there's plenty of leg room.

Controls aren't complicated, but some are awkward. Lots of switches you'd expect to find on the doors, such as the mirrors, locks, and windows, are between the seats. What looks like a tuning knob for the radio controls only menus, and the power button is separate. Lens glare often obscures the gauges.

The G8's trunk is nicely finished, but the rear seats don't fold down. A trunk pass-through opens in the center seat to carry long cargo. The G8 does not come with a spare tire, just a can of sealant and an air compressor.

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