2009 Pontiac G8 vs. Its Competition

Meta Rating 8.4 out of 10

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Our expert editors build comparisons like this one to make it easy for you to understand the small handful of cars you should compare to whatever car you are already looking at. You get general thoughts on each car you should consider plus an easy way to compare basic information for yourself.

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1 Jan 1, 2009

The G8’s chief rival is the Dodge Charger, which has more aggressive styling but is a little less refined.

The Charger and the similar but more glamorous Chrysler 300 offer optional all-wheel drive, whereas the G8 does not.

However, the Charger doesn’t have the thoroughly in-check body control and poise around corners to match the G8.

The front-wheel-drive Ford Taurus (with an all-wheel-drive option) is just as large as its competitors, but it’s more clearly geared to an older, more conservative crowd.

Then there’s the Nissan Maxima, which trumps the G8 for style but, because it’s front-wheel drive and only offers a V-6, can’t touch the G8’s level of performance.

2009 Pontiac G8 Browse Used Listings	2008 Dodge Charger Browse Used Listings	2008 Ford Taurus Browse Used Listings	2008 Nissan Maxima Browse Used Listings
Quick Specs
Meta Rating
8.4 The G8 gives Pontiac real sport-sedan credentials and hits the mark with only minor faults.	8.2 The 2008 Dodge Charger sedan has plenty of practicality and character--and thirst, with the big HEMI engines.	8.4 A great choice for older drivers, the 2008 Ford Taurus excels on its size, safety gear, and large instrumentation, but falls behind the Honda Accord in driving excitement.	7.8 The 2008 Nissan Maxima is a bit more aesthetically appealing than a top-of-the-line Altima or Accord, but it doesn’t perform any better.
MSRP From
$28,250	$22,510	$23,635	$28,630
Gas Mileage
13 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy	13 MPG City / 26 MPG Hwy	17 MPG City / 28 MPG Hwy	19 MPG City / 25 MPG Hwy
Engine
Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6	Gas V6
EPA Class
Large Sedan	Large	Large	Mid-Size
Style Name
4dr Sedan	4dr Sedan RWD	4dr Sedan SEL FWD	4dr Sedan CVT 3.5 SE
Drivetrain
Rear Wheel Drive	Rear Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive	Front Wheel Drive
Passenger Capacity
5	5	5	5
Passenger Doors
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
Body Style
4 Door Sedan	4dr Sdn	4 Door Sedan	4 Door Sedan
Transmission
Automatic w/OD	Automatic	Automatic w/OD	Continously Variable