2005 Pontiac G6 Base review from North America

Extremely annoying rattling present in dash.

Driver-side window switch for passenger window has partially failed and requires additional pressure relative to other switches to raise the window. Sometimes even this does not work.

The G6 is a superb vehicle from Pontiac, and the best car from that division of GM I've yet driven.

Driving the car is a fun experience. The automatic shifts firmly and authoritatively, down-shifts are immediate with proper pedal pressure, and the engine produces plenty of thrust, easily out-accelerating the Taurus I formerly owned.

Gas mileage is not particularly impressive, but is still adequate. I get around 25mpg in the city and 29.7+ on the highway.

The G6 exhibits superb handling, as most professional reviewers have noted. Body movement in turns is well controlled, squat and dive during changes in speed is minimal, and the car generally feels as if, even though it weighs quite a bit, it can nonetheless cut corners with the best of them. The handling inspires confidence.

Braking is superb. The four-wheel discs bring the car to a stop in a hurry, even without ABS. Just the other night I made a panic stop to avoid a deer and was able to keep the wheels from locking up, thanks to the firm and responsive pedal.

The major flaw in the G6 is in the electric steering. GM has been utilizing this system in a few vehicles in favor of the older rack-and-pinion setup, and I'm not fond of it. The wheel is too light at low speeds, and offers NO resistance whatsoever to most maneuvers on the road. As the driver, I feel like it would be too easy to just manhandle the steering wheel to any position, as there's no progressive feel to the steering. Same resistance no matter what the maneuver or speed, except in the parking lot.

Inside, the G6 maintains a good edge over Pontiac's other products. The interior is a huge improvement over the Grand Am. Buttons are more logically placed and easier to operate. I've received lavish praise from passengers regarding the chrome-looking trim around the instrumentation, as well as the orange back-lighting. Cup holders are reasonably well-placed and large enough to do the job. The central console is large, as is the trunk. There is plenty of room in both the front and back seats.

The stereo sounds amazing. The six speakers put out plenty of sound, and never really begin to fail unless you crank bass-heavy music, which will show you that a subwoofer is still required for such things. Still, the bass is adequate even past 50% volume. The overall presentation of the stereo has earned a few complements as well. One friend called it the best stock car audio system he's ever heard.

Visibility from the G6 is not particularly good. It has a very high belt line, which translates into smallish rear windows, and the high rear end and full headrests in the backseat limit rearward visibility considerably.

The G6 feels quite upscale for a Pontiac, and I don't at all feel ashamed about driving one. The bottom line, however, is that it's not the best bargain on the market right now, in my opinion. For example, the sticker on my vehicle was $22,500, and it lacked such a simple thing as ABS. Few other automakers with products in this price range would choose such a thing. Also, we've yet to see if the car will prove to be reliable.

Still, if you're looking for a solid-feeling sedan with plenty of passenger room and enough power to get you around in a hurry, the G6 is right for you. With all of GM's incentives, the price can be turned into something more appropriate for your budget, regardless of the seemingly high sticker price.