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2008 Pontiac G5 Safety Review

July 2, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Curtain airbags are now standard across the range
Car and Driver

Four stars, driver-side frontal collision; five stars, passenger-side frontal collision; four stars, front and rear side collision
NHTSA

Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on the GT
Edmunds

The 2008 Pontiac G5 affords occupants a respectable degree of protection and fares quite well in government crash tests. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet crash-tested a Pontiac G5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has wrecked its fair share of Pontiac G5s. The NHTSA has awarded the Pontiac G5 four out of five stars in most crash tests and a full five stars for passenger protection during side frontal collisions.

Aside from the strong crash-test ratings, the 2008 Pontiac G5 offers a limited list of standard and optional safety features. Cars.com writes that "side-impact airbags are standard for all G5s," and the Pontiac G5 GT sports standard "four-wheel-disc antilock brakes." The base Pontiac G5 comes with "disc/drum brakes with optional ABS," according to Cars.com. Edmunds adds "traction control is available on models equipped with ABS brakes and an automatic transmission." ConsumerGuide completes the list of safety features by adding that all 2008 Pontiac G5s come standard with "dual front airbags" and a convenient "tire-pressure monitor." Also standard are daytime running lights and a passenger airbag cutoff for times when children are riding up front.

Another feature of the 2008 Pontiac G5 that helps improve the car's overall safety rating is the driver visibility that the G5 affords. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that "visibility is fine to the sides, but a tall rear spoiler and high deck obscure the view to the back." MyRide.com also notes that "viewing the outside world is easier than one might initially think," thanks in large part to the "ample rear and side windows, which when coupled with the long front side windows, allow for safe over-the-shoulder viewing" on this 2008 Pontiac.

Conclusion

The 2008 Pontiac G5 boasts strong crash-test ratings and impressive visibility for its class, but the safety features list is somewhat lacking.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Curtain airbags are now standard across the rangeCar and DriverFour stars, driver-side frontal collision; five stars, passenger-side frontal collision; four stars, front and rear side collisionNHTSAFour-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard on the GTEdmunds The 2008 Pontiac G5 affords occupants a respectable degree of protection and fares quite well in government crash tests. While the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet crash-tested a Pontiac G5, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has wrecked its fair share of Pontiac G5s. The NHTSA has awarded the Pontiac G5 four out of five stars in most crash tests and a full five stars for passenger protection during side frontal collisions. Aside from the strong crash-test ratings, the 2008 Pontiac G5 offers a limited list of standard and optional safety features. Cars.com writes that "side-impact airbags are standard for all G5s," and the Pontiac G5 GT sports standard "four-wheel-disc antilock brakes." The base Pontiac G5 comes with "disc/drum brakes with optional ABS," according to Cars.com. Edmunds adds "traction control is available on models equipped with ABS brakes and an automatic transmission." ConsumerGuide completes the list of safety features by adding that all 2008 Pontiac G5s come standard with "dual front airbags" and a convenient "tire-pressure monitor." Also standard are daytime running lights and a passenger airbag cutoff for times when children are riding up front. Another feature of the 2008 Pontiac G5 that helps improve the car's overall safety rating is the driver visibility that the G5 affords. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that "visibility is fine to the sides, but a tall rear spoiler and high deck obscure the view to the back." MyRide.com also notes that "viewing the outside world is easier than one might initially think," thanks in large part to the "ample rear and side windows, which when coupled with the long front side windows, allow for safe over-the-shoulder viewing" on this 2008 Pontiac. ConclusionThe 2008 Pontiac G5 boasts strong crash-test ratings and impressive visibility for its class, but the safety features list is somewhat lacking.  2008 PONTIAC G5 STYLING | [7 out of 10] Edmunds: "Attractive gauges and a full-featured stereo give the Pontiac G5 a contemporary feel" MyRide.com: "Generic shape and stance" Cars.com: "Yawn" Pontiac's latest entry-level vehicle, the 2008 Pontiac G5, is another example of what ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

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.

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See the Pontiac G5 in Other Years:

2009 | 2008 | 2007

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