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2008 Pontiac G6 Safety Review

July 22, 2008

SAFETY | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Five stars, frontal driver impact and side impact; four stars, frontal passenger impact
NHTSA

Good," frontal offset test; "acceptable," side impact test
IIHS

Four-wheel anti-lock brakes and traction control are standard
Car and Driver

The 2008 Pontiac G6 lineup offers varying degrees of crash safety, but the sedan version of the G6 holds up fairly well.

In both government and industry crash tests, the 2008 Pontiac G6 scores above average. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for issuing the government's crash-test ratings, awards the Pontiac G6 a full five stars for frontal driver impact and side impacts. They also give the 2008 Pontiac G6 four out of five stars for frontal passenger-side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) subjected the Pontiac G6 to its own crash tests and awarded similar results. The Pontiac G6 earned the IIHS's highest rating, "good," for frontal offset impacts, and the second-highest rating of "acceptable" for side impacts.

In addition to its strong test results, this 2008 Pontiac comes with several key features that improve overall safety. Cars.com writes that "all-disc antilock brakes and traction control are now standard on all models," while "an electronic stability system is optional on GT models and standard on GXP sedans." Edmunds adds that for 2008, Pontiac offers "full-length head-curtain and front side-impact airbags" as standard.

One design aspect of the 2008 Pontiac G6 that hurts overall safety, as well as daily drivability, is driver visibility. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that "vision astern is blocked by tall headrests, to the sides and front corners by thick roof pillars" on the 2008 Pontiac G6.

Conclusion

Good safety ratings and middle-of-the-road safety features make the 2008 Pontiac G6 an acceptably safe family sedan.

SAFETY | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:Five stars, frontal driver impact and side impact; four stars, frontal passenger impactNHTSAGood," frontal offset test; "acceptable," side impact testIIHSFour-wheel anti-lock brakes and traction control are standardCar and Driver The 2008 Pontiac G6 lineup offers varying degrees of crash safety, but the sedan version of the G6 holds up fairly well. In both government and industry crash tests, the 2008 Pontiac G6 scores above average. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency responsible for issuing the government's crash-test ratings, awards the Pontiac G6 a full five stars for frontal driver impact and side impacts. They also give the 2008 Pontiac G6 four out of five stars for frontal passenger-side impact protection. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) subjected the Pontiac G6 to its own crash tests and awarded similar results. The Pontiac G6 earned the IIHS's highest rating, "good," for frontal offset impacts, and the second-highest rating of "acceptable" for side impacts. In addition to its strong test results, this 2008 Pontiac comes with several key features that improve overall safety. Cars.com writes that "all-disc antilock brakes and traction control are now standard on all models," while "an electronic stability system is optional on GT models and standard on GXP sedans." Edmunds adds that for 2008, Pontiac offers "full-length head-curtain and front side-impact airbags" as standard. One design aspect of the 2008 Pontiac G6 that hurts overall safety, as well as daily drivability, is driver visibility. ConsumerGuide reviewers find that "vision astern is blocked by tall headrests, to the sides and front corners by thick roof pillars" on the 2008 Pontiac G6. ConclusionGood safety ratings and middle-of-the-road safety features make the 2008 Pontiac G6 an acceptably safe family sedan.  2008 PONTIAC G6 STYLING | [8 out of 10] Kelley Blue Book: "Exterior styling is a giant leap forward for Pontiac " ConsumerGuide: "Controls are easy to reach and use" Cars.com: "Contains sporty controls and racing-style gauges with red LED backlighting" When Pontiac set out to ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The new Chevrolet Malibu--also from GM--has a more contemporary and comfortable interior, along with improved powertrain refinement, while not costing much more than the G6. Otherwise, the 2008 Pontiac G6 doesn't compete with the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry, so much as it does against the Ford Fusion and Nissan Altima. Next to the G6, the Fusion feels sportier, with its crisp, direct steering and responsive engines, but the G6 has a more spacious backseat than either the Fusion or Altima. The Altima stands out for its simple but very tasteful interior design and nice materials. The Avenger could also be considered an alternative to the G6; the Dodge has a reasonably roomy interior, but its base four-cylinder engine is especially loud and coarse, and its interior appointments have a bargain-basement feel.

Next Steps:

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See the Pontiac G6 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Henry #1, Posted: 9/10/2008

    The G6

    The G6 is a nice step up to pontiacs line up but since am a car lover & i go crazy to every single detail in a vechile i noticed that the coolant resourvoir is right on top of the speed sensor of the transmission so when it over flows the water goes directly to the sensor & i dont understand how that designed happend but other than that.....the G6 is an overall nice equipped vechile

  2. By Bernie #2, Posted: 12/22/2008

    G6 on a string.

    This'd be the one to get if you're budget is on a string....hey, it'd be a G-String!

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