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2008 Pontiac G8 Safety Review

May 15, 2008

SAFETY | 9 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

no test data
IIHS

no test data
NHTSA

no safety head restraint in the middle” rear seat
USAToday

Because the 2008 Pontiac G8 is essentially an all-new car, it carries the latest safety equipment.

Edmunds.com notes that the standard equipment on the G8 includes dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control. GM also offers OnStar, its in-car communication network, as standard equipment. However, unlike the Ford Taurus and the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300, Pontiac does not offer all-wheel drive in the 2008 G8, which may make the sedan a better choice for warmer climates.

While the G8 has the “expected” array of seatbelts and airbags, USAToday criticizes the vehicle because “there's no safety head restraint in the middle. GM never seems able to explain that.” It might be an upgrade to consider for the 2009 Pontiac G8.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has yet to crash-test the G8, as is the case for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Conclusion

It sports all the latest safety gear, but the 2008 Pontiac G8 could use one more headrest.

SAFETY | 9 out of 10Expert Quotes:no test dataIIHSno test dataNHTSAno safety head restraint in the middle” rear seatUSAToday Because the 2008 Pontiac G8 is essentially an all-new car, it carries the latest safety equipment. Edmunds.com notes that the standard equipment on the G8 includes dual front airbags, side and curtain airbags, anti-lock brakes, stability and traction control. GM also offers OnStar, its in-car communication network, as standard equipment. However, unlike the Ford Taurus and the Dodge Charger/Chrysler 300, Pontiac does not offer all-wheel drive in the 2008 G8, which may make the sedan a better choice for warmer climates. While the G8 has the “expected” array of seatbelts and airbags, USAToday criticizes the vehicle because “there's no safety head restraint in the middle. GM never seems able to explain that.” It might be an upgrade to consider for the 2009 Pontiac G8. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has yet to crash-test the G8, as is the case for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ConclusionIt sports all the latest safety gear, but the 2008 Pontiac G8 could use one more headrest. 2008 PONTIAC G8 STYLING  | 8 out of 10 Jalopnik: “sharp and far more restrained than the Charger” USAToday: “assertively Pontiac” ConsumerGuide: “Understated cabin decor” Cars.com: “remarkably contemporary” Reviewers loved the G8’s mix of assertive and tasteful lines, ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

Among large sedans, the G8’s chief rival is the Dodge Charger, which is a little ballsier in styling, but also a little less refined inside and out. The Charger and the similar but more glamorous Chrysler 300 offer optional all-wheel drive, though. The Ford Taurus is just as large as its competitors, but it’s more clearly geared to an older, more conservative crowd--and it’s front-wheel drive (with an all-wheel-drive option).

Next Steps:

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for the 2008 Pontiac G8

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for a 2008 Pontiac G8 near you

See the Pontiac G8 in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008

Comments (2 total)

  1. By Aaaaplay #1, Posted: 9/13/2008

    australia has the holden VE

    hi i from australia this car is a big hit in australia we got it in 2006 and this year we got the sportswagen and truck version of this if you would like to look at it go to
    www.holden.com.au

  2. By Tom - #2, Posted: 1/11/2009

    Owner, G8 GT

    I got the car last March and for the most part like it very much. Form, fit, finish, and function of most items is very good and at the price was a excelent buy. Two items stand out as needing some help, the first being Poitiac for not making Service Manual information available to Helm Inc. in a timely manner (I'm still waiting since the purchase date) and second the telescope feature of the steering wheel is very short so the wheel reach for me is uncomfortable when the seat is back to a comfortable pedal position. I've found other minor items that could have used a bit more design effort but I can live with them and if indeed the car was perfect I probably wouldn't have been able to purchase it in the first place.

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