2008 Pontiac G5 Review

Pontiac's 2008 G5 employs the worldwide Delta platform to provide an economical and bold alternative in the compact coupe market. Two trims and two engine types are available.

The base G5 coupe starts at $14,945 and is powered by a 2.2L in-line four-cylinder engine that is paired with a five-speed manual transmission. Standard equipment in all G5s includes air conditioning, a CD player, power door locks, and power windows.

The G5 GT has a spiced-up appearance, with sport rocker moldings, 17-inch aluminum wheels, a chrome exhaust tip, and fog lamps. Inside, cruise control, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls and a leather-wrapped shift knob enhance the driving experience. Four-wheel ABS disc brakes and a stiffer suspension are also part of the package. More importantly, however, is the 171-horsepower 2.4L engine that replaces the base trim's 2.2L four-cylinder.

Both trims come standard with a five-speed manual transmission, while a four-speed automatic is a $925 option.

All manner of optional equipment can be ordered to dress up the G5. Various aluminum wheels and audio systems are available, as are a sunroof, traction control, leather seat trim and remote start.

The improvement the G5 represents over Pontiac's previous compact coupe, the 2005 Sunfire, is what impressed us the most. The body is much stiffer and feels more substantial. The interior also benefits significantly from upgrades, with the dash, door panels, and other trim now look very contemporary. Both G5s deliver a surprisingly smooth ride.

Perhaps the most pleasant surprise was how roomy the back seat is. It's not unusual to find reasonably comfortable bucket seats in the front of any of the G5's competitors, but the G5's back seat can accommodate three adults with enough room for lengthy trips. Here is a car that offers the sharp looks of a two door, but has enough room in back so you can bring four friends along on the next adventure.
Even though the G5 was a new model for Pontiac in 2007, there are still plenty of changes for the 08 G5. XM satellite radio, head curtain side impact airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system are now standard on all of the G5s. In addition, Onstar and StabiliTrak are also standard on the GT. Three new exterior colors available for the 2008 G5 are Midnight Blue Metallic, Nitrous Blue Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic. see less