2008 Pontiac Grand Prix
Based on analysis of 44 Grand Prix reviews and test drives.
Pontiac Grand Prix - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix ranks 24 out of 25 Affordable Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 44 published reviews and test drives of the Pontiac Grand Prix, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The Grand Prix has both V6 and V8 engines, but it does not deliver the refinement or handling of top competitors, and its aging style and mediocre cabin quality weigh down its overall score compared to other affordable midsize sedans.
According to our analysis, the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix maintains its reputation as a vehicle for those who need the practicality of a family sedan but aren't willing to give up a strong engine. "Very American, and very likable in a roughhouse bawdy sort of way," declares Car and Driver. "If you wear your baseball cap backward, this Bud's for you." USA Today says the Grand Prix is "a car to be taken seriously by sophisticates of certain persuasion, as well as by family-car buyers."
But Pontiac will stop production of the Grand Prix after the 2008 model year, and many say it isn't a moment too soon. To most, the car is a relic from an earlier era. Like many, Automobile Magazine notes the sedan "rides into the sporty family segment on its laurels, a little underprepared for the competition." If you're shopping for an affordable sedan, also consider the Honda Accord or the Toyota Camry.
- "These mid-size sedans share their front-drive platform with the Chevy Impala but aspires to a sportier image. This is a stretch for the base model but not the GXP, with its 303-hp V-8." -- Car and Driver
- "I want to give Pontiac credit for attempting to inject some life back into the Grand Prix. But…there are so many endemic problems with the Grand Prix that haven't been addressed, it's difficult to forget them while you're trying to enjoy the extra shot of adrenaline." -- Detroit News
- "I would run out of fingers before I could count all the foreign-brand cars I would buy before I'd consider the Grand Prix." -- New York Times
- "I found myself looking forward to spending some quality time flogging one of America's last remaining full-size touring sedans, the Grand Prix. That is, until I drove one." -- The Truth About Cars
Grand Prix Performance - 7.0 (Good)
The Grand Prix's powerful performance is its best attribute. Although the sedan's engine is not the strongest or the most refined in the class, most testers like the performance. Following a Car and Driver road test, its editors wrote, "Some other sporty sedans can match this car's test-track accel numbers, but none of them can match its massive punch in urban close combat." Our full Performance Review gives more auto experts opinion on the Grand Prix's engine and overall performance. continue
Grand Prix Exterior - 7.0 (Good)
Not many are crazy about the Grand Prix's aging style. Described as "muscular" and "bold" when it first appeared in late 2003, the current model is now more of a relic of American automobile design. Check out the Pontiac Grand Prix Photo Gallery to see various angles of the sedan, or continue with our full Exterior Review to read past and current comments on the Grand Prix's design. continue
Grand Prix Interior - 6.1 (Mediocre)
Test drivers report familiar, easy-to-use controls and good cargo space in the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix. But a stiff, cramped backseat and dubious cabin materials hurt the sedan's interior score. The Detroit News says the look of the handsome top stitched seats "barely compensates for the cheap-looking and old-fashioned controls and displays that would be more at home on an economy car." The Pontiac Grand Prix Photo Gallery shows images of the cabin, while our full Interior Review gives information on Pontiac's standard and optional features for the Grand Prix. continue
Grand Prix Safety - 7.2 (Good)
The 2008 Grand Prix does moderately well in government and insurance industry crash tests. Continue with our full Safety Review for details on the Grand Prix's safety gear and crash-test performance. continue
Grand Prix Reliability - 10.0 (Excellent)
The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). All Pontiacs come with a three-year/36,000-mile warranty. Continue with our full Reliability Review to learn about additional coverage. continue