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2008 Pontiac G5 Bottom Line

November 7, 2008

By Marty Padgett's avatar Marty Padgett, Executive EditorMarty Padgett

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied road tests of the 2008 Pontiac G5 to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Pontiac G5 and have added driving impressions and details to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, and to provide you with the best car-buying information.

Likes:

  • Distinct front end
  • Good fuel economy

Dislikes:

  • Bland performance
  • Big, heavy doors
  • Anti-lock brakes optional

Buying Tips:


The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a slow seller and is found primarily in rental fleets. Heavy discounts are yours, but before you purchase, try out the turbocharged Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe, with 260 road-grabbing horsepower.

The 2008 Pontiac G5 is the brand's entry-level car. The front-wheel-drive two-door is available in one body style and two trim levels: base and performance-themed GT.

The base engine is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder rated at 148 horsepower; it's available with either a Getrag-sourced five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The optional engine (in the GT) is a 171-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with the same two transmission choices. Fuel economy is good at 24/33 mpg with the manual and the 2.2-liter four, and 22/31 mpg with the larger engine and automatic transmission. Neither engine/transmission combination is delightful; the four-cylinders have an unrefined sound and the automatic shifts well enough, but it doesn't have the five or six speeds that some competitors offer.

The 2008 Pontiac G5's handling is uninspiring, but it won't get any drivers into serious trouble. Understeer is its basic response, and the electric power steering is sluggish and pretty devoid of real feedback. The brakes feel a little better, though.

Outside, the 2008 Pontiac G5 is handsome enough--a bit more stylish than the Cobalt coupe that shares its mechanicals, though its long doors can be tough to open in a tight parking space. Inside, it's styled adequately, but the materials aren't high-quality, the front seats aren't quite supportive, and the backseats are low and cramped. Both base and GT trim lines come standard with A/C, as well as power windows and door locks. XM Satellite Radio, remote start, and a sunroof are available.

Anti-lock brakes and traction control are optional on the base model, though tire pressure monitors are standard on both versions. Curtain airbags are standard for 2008 on both models as well. The Pontiac G5 gets mostly four-star crash ratings and a four-star rating for rollover resistance.

Other Choices:

If you like the 2008 Pontiac G5, also consider:

Reason Why:

The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a near-twin of the Chevrolet Cobalt, but lacks the Chevy's optional turbocharged four-cylinder. The Honda Civic is the class of this class: Its four-cylinder engines are flexible and rev freely, the manual transmission is a pleasure to shift, and it looks like a car from the future, not the past. Ford's new Focus has ungainly looks but plenty of features, including the new SYNC entertainment controller. The Scion tC reminds some of the old Toyota Celica coupes; it's squat and reasonably handsome, with a rev-happy four-cylinder engine.

The Bottom Line:

The 2008 Pontiac G5 has the flash, but not the dash, of a red-blooded sport coupe.

The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied road tests of the 2008 Pontiac G5 to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Pontiac G5 and have added driving impressions and details to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, and to provide you with the best car-buying information. Likes:Distinct front endGood fuel economyDislikes:Bland performanceBig, heavy doorsAnti-lock brakes optionalBuying Tips: The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a slow seller and is found primarily in rental fleets. Heavy discounts are yours, but before you purchase, try out the turbocharged Chevrolet Cobalt SS Coupe, with 260 road-grabbing horsepower. The 2008 Pontiac G5 is the brand's entry-level car. The front-wheel-drive two-door is available in one body style and two trim levels: base and performance-themed GT. The base engine is a 2.2-liter four-cylinder rated at 148 horsepower; it's available with either a Getrag-sourced five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. The optional engine (in the GT) is a 171-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder with the same two transmission choices. Fuel economy is good at 24/33 mpg with the manual and the 2.2-liter four, and 22/31 mpg with the larger engine and automatic transmission. Neither engine/transmission combination is delightful; the four-cylinders have an unrefined sound and the automatic shifts well enough, but it doesn't have the five or six speeds that some competitors offer. The 2008 Pontiac G5's handling is uninspiring, but it won't get any drivers into serious trouble. Understeer is its basic response, and the electric power steering is sluggish and pretty devoid of real feedback. The brakes feel a little better, though. Outside, the 2008 Pontiac G5 is handsome enough--a bit more stylish than the Cobalt coupe that shares its mechanicals, though its long doors can be tough to open in a tight parking space. Inside, it's styled adequately, but the materials aren't high-quality, the front seats aren't quite supportive, and the backseats are low and cramped. Both base and GT trim lines come standard with A/C, as well as power windows and door locks. XM Satellite Radio, remote start, and a sunroof are available. Anti-lock brakes and traction control are optional on the base model, though tire pressure monitors are standard on both versions. Curtain airbags are standard for 2008 on both models as well. The Pontiac G5 gets mostly four-star crash ratings and a four-star rating for rollover resistance. Other Choices:If you like the 2008 Pontiac G5, also consider:Ford FocusHonda CivicChevrolet CobaltScion tCReason Why:The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a near-twin of the Chevrolet Cobalt, but lacks the Chevy's optional turbocharged four-cylinder. The Honda Civic is the class of this class: Its four-cylinder engines are flexible and rev freely, the manual transmission is a pleasure to shift, and it looks like a car from the future, not the past. Ford's new Focus has ungainly looks but plenty of features, including the new SYNC entertainment controller. The Scion tC reminds some of the old Toyota Celica coupes; it's squat and reasonably handsome, with a rev-happy four-cylinder engine. The Bottom Line:The 2008 Pontiac G5 has the flash, but not the dash, of a red-blooded sport coupe. The car experts at TheCarConnection.com studied road tests of the 2008 Pontiac G5 to compile this conclusive review. TheCarConnection.com's editors also drove the 2008 Pontiac G5 and have added driving impressions and details to help you decide which reviews to trust where opinions differ, ...

Other Choices:

The 2008 Pontiac G5 is a near-twin of the Chevrolet Cobalt, but lacks the Chevy's optional turbocharged four-cylinder. The Honda Civic is the class of this class: Its four-cylinder engines are flexible and rev freely, the manual transmission is a pleasure to shift, and it looks like a car from the future, not the past. Ford's new Focus has ungainly looks but plenty of features, including the new SYNC entertainment controller. The Scion tC reminds some of the old Toyota Celica coupes; it's squat and reasonably handsome, with a rev-happy four-cylinder engine.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Pontiac G5

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Pontiac G5

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Pontiac G5 near you

See the Pontiac G5 in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007

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