• 2008 Pontiac Solstice

• Used Pontiac Solstice
• Repairs Pontiac Solstice

These scores and this review are from when the car was new.

Scorecard

Overall:	2008 Pontiac Solstice U.S. News Best Cars 7.6
Critics' Rating:	7.8
Performance:	7.3
Interior:	5.8
Safety:	8.1
Reliability:

How we calculate scores

Research analyzed for this review

Pros & Cons

• Sharp, responsive handling
• Good-looking and curvaceous exterior styling
• Competitive price within its class

• Negligible trunk and interior cargo space
• Some find interior fittings unrefined
• Convertible top difficult to maneuver
• Wide gear-spacing can make manual transmission sluggish and difficult to operate

Research Other Years

• 2009 Pontiac Solstice
• 2007 Pontiac Solstice

While the Solstice is great for two, reviewers cite the seats as low, potentially snug for larger passengers, and difficult to get in and out of. Road & Travel Magazine says that the interior "would tempt, even someone as picky as James Dean, with its clean, minimalist style." Forbes calls the cockpit "friendly and cozy," and Newsday adds that the "interior is simple, attractive and gimmick-free." Auto writers at Edmunds call the Solstice "roomy" with the top up or down. The Solstice, critics add, can come with a high-end entertainment upgrade but also does not come standard with air conditioning. If you're expecting cargo space, steer clear of this compact because it lacks trunk room and cabin storage.

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Seating

The 2008 Pontiac Solstice has bolstered bucket seats that most reviewers find comfortable with ample all-around room for a sport compact. "Overall space is tighter for six-footers than the Mazda MX-5," says Consumer Guide, "but leg space is adequate, and headroom is good with the top up. Low seats won't suit some shorter drivers and aggravate entry/exit. Seats have good lateral and lower-back support, but lack lumbar adjustment." MarketWatch calls the seats "all-day comfortable and easily adjustable with the door open." Edmunds auto writers say, "You sit relatively low in the cabin. The Solstice has a wraparound dash and high door sills that surround the driver like the cockpit of a fighter jet." Forbes reviewers, however, do mention that "large occupants will likely find the Solstice's cozy cabin to be somewhat claustrophobic, especially with the top up."

Interior Features

While the 2008 Pontiac Solstice comes with a number of standard interior features, air conditioning is optional at an additional cost, which concerns reviewers. MSN says that it is "hard to imagine even a new sports car without air conditioning," adding that this addition will set buyers back.

Most auto critics find the Pontiac Solstice features easy to use, but some also find the controls somewhat confusing and difficult to read due to glare. Edmunds says that the climate control system in the Solstice is "effective and easy to use with three big knobs." Consumer Guide says the controls are simple, "but some are awkward to reach in these tight confines," adding that the gauges are "set in deep tunnels" and "have overstyled graphics, so are hard to read even by day." Cars.com echoes this concern by adding that the "dashboard features thick chrome bezels, which can produce reflection." MSN's auto reviewer complains that "I kept accidentally activating the power window controls with my left elbow because of their inconvenient positioning on the driver's door."

Most reviews say the overall fit and finish of the Pontiac Solstice interior good, but some cheap and unfinished fittings leave reviewers skeptical. New Car Test Drive says, "Most materials are generally good quality, particularly the leather, soft plastic and trim plastic. However, the hard plastic on the doors and dash looks and feels too much like hard plastic." The Auto Channel adds that although the "materials mostly look and feel better than expected," there are some evident "rough plastic edges." BusinessWeek calls these "inexpensive, hard plastic" components "ergonomically unfortunate cabin details." Yet, a few reviewers found the Solstice cabin well-made. Edmunds says the interior has "tight gaps and smooth seams," and Road & Travel Magazine says the "sporty interior has an unmistakable European high-quality feel to it."

Entertainment

The Solstice comes standard with an AM/FM radio with CD player and auxiliary input jack for MP3 players, and can come fitted with an optional Monsoon premium audio system, with seven-speakers and a subwoofer. Edmunds auto writers call the Monsoon system sound "outstanding, even with the top down at highway speeds." CNET agrees, calling the sound of these "high-performance" speakers "immersive" throughout the small cabin. CNET says that the upgraded audio system is "surprisingly capable," with an "extremely user-friendly interface." A free three-month trial of XM Radio also comes standard on all trims

Cargo

The Pontiac Solstice comes with little cargo space: 5.4 cubic feet with the top up and 2.1 cubic feet with the top down. Reviewers unanimously agree that the car is not for hauling cargo and houses limited interior cargo space as well. Auto critics find the lack of luggage room in the Solstice to be a setback. The New York Times calls the trunk "missing in action," and Cars.com echoes that criticism by calling the trunk space "next to nonexistent." New Car Test Drive reports: "The lack of storage space and idiosyncrasies with the convertible top could get old quickly as a sole source of transportation. The lack of luggage space makes the Solstice a poor choice for long trips or airport runs."

Interior storage space is limited as well, with MSN saying the Solstice has "hardly any cockpit storage," and Edmunds adding that there is "no storage at all except the hard-to-access compartment between the seatbacks." Reviews are also negative on the Solstice's cupholders, and agree that they are hard to reach and awkward. MarketWatch says that the cupholders "reside in a sliding shelf between the seat backs. To get to your drink you might have to move your elbow in ways that are not natural."