2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Safety Review
Based on analysis of 44 Grand Prix reviews and test drives.
Safety - What the Auto Press Says
The 2008 Grand Prix does moderately well in government and insurance industry crash tests.
In government crash tests, the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix earned five out of a possible five stars for driver protection and four stars for front passenger protection in frontal impact tests. But in side impact crashes, the Grand Prix only earned three stars for both the front seat and backseat occupants' protection. The Grand Prix also has a four-star rollover rating. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gives the 2008 Grand Prix the highest possible rating, "Good," for frontal offset crash tests, but the second to last rating, "Marginal" for side impact tests.
Accident Avoidance
The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix GXP comes standard with anti-lock brakes (optional on the base model). The GXP also comes with General Motor's stability control system, StabiliTrak, which uses a computer to detect unsafe conditions, then selectively applies the brakes and individual wheels and uses the throttle to maintain vehicle control. Car and Driver says the system works quietly "with minimal power-killing throttle intervention. Without the twinkle of the dashboard indicator light, you might never know it's saving your hide." Both models come with a tire pressure monitor standard, daytime running lights and fog lamps.
Crash Protection
The Grand Prix comes with optional side curtain air bags on both models, three-point seat belts at all positions and front and rear crush zones to blunt the impact of a crash. Both trim models come with dual-stage frontal air bags which determines accident severity and whether air bags are warranted.
