Green
Trucks
Luxury
Family
Brand
Muscle
See more sites from  HighGear  M E D I A  >>
Compare this car to others like it Try our car compare tool now

2008 Pontiac Grand Prix Safety Review

August 19, 2008

SAFETY | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

traction control [is] optional
Edmunds

Marginal” side impact score, with optional side airbags
IIHS

Five stars, driver front impacts; four stars, passenger front impacts; three stars, driver side impacts
NHTSA

HUD offers “enhanced visibility during night driving
Cars.com

If occupant safety is tops on your list, the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix might not make the cut.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) safety ratings for the Grand Prix range from a high of five stars in the frontal crash test for the driver, to a low of three stars for the driver’s side in that agency’s side impact crash test. Even with the optional side curtain airbags, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Grand Prix “marginal” in its side-impact test.

Standard on many cars in its class, “traction control [is] optional on the base model and come[s] standard on the GXP,” says Edmunds. Another critical safety feature, side curtain airbags, is optional on both base and GXP models. GM’s Stabilitrak is standard on the GXP, where it is calibrated to allow aggressive driving and some amount of wheelspin on aggressive launches. Comments Motor Trend, “the system is less intrusive than the related Stabilitrak offered on Cadillac models, enabling spirited driving with gentle corrections.”

A Head-Up Display comes standard on the GXP, and it “allows the driver to extinguish all instrument panel lighting for enhanced visibility during night driving,” reports Cars.com. “You'll find the optional head up display (HUD) almost subliminal in its presence,” according to MyRide.com.

Conclusion

It offers some intelligent active safety features, but the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix’s side crash protection is unimpressive.

SAFETY | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:traction control [is] optionalEdmundsMarginal” side impact score, with optional side airbagsIIHSFive stars, driver front impacts; four stars, passenger front impacts; three stars, driver side impactsNHTSAHUD offers “enhanced visibility during night drivingCars.com If occupant safety is tops on your list, the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix might not make the cut. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) safety ratings for the Grand Prix range from a high of five stars in the frontal crash test for the driver, to a low of three stars for the driver’s side in that agency’s side impact crash test. Even with the optional side curtain airbags, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rates the Grand Prix “marginal” in its side-impact test. Standard on many cars in its class, “traction control [is] optional on the base model and come[s] standard on the GXP,” says Edmunds. Another critical safety feature, side curtain airbags, is optional on both base and GXP models. GM’s Stabilitrak is standard on the GXP, where it is calibrated to allow aggressive driving and some amount of wheelspin on aggressive launches. Comments Motor Trend, “the system is less intrusive than the related Stabilitrak offered on Cadillac models, enabling spirited driving with gentle corrections.” A Head-Up Display comes standard on the GXP, and it “allows the driver to extinguish all instrument panel lighting for enhanced visibility during night driving,” reports Cars.com. “You'll find the optional head up display (HUD) almost subliminal in its presence,” according to MyRide.com. ConclusionIt offers some intelligent active safety features, but the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix’s side crash protection is unimpressive.  2008 PONTIAC GRAND PRIX STYLING | [6 out of 10] Car and Driver: “Grand Prix has not aged well” Cars.com: “Aging design” Jalopnik: “kind of gawky” Automobile: “slavishly obeisant to Pontiac's past” Autoblog: “an overabundance of gray” The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix, while breaking ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix was very nearly made redundant several years ago with the introduction of the G6 sedan, which is almost as roomy inside. Its closest rival may be the Nissan Maxima, which offers gutsy V-6 performance and front-wheel drive; the current Maxima, however, doesn’t feel tremendously sporty due to its CVT and softer tuning than in previous iterations, though its interior is very attractive. The Ford Taurus isn’t at all fashionable, but it’s extremely spacious, rides well, and has ample power from the 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic; the Taurus is also one of the safest cars available. Other types of buyers might better appreciate the Dodge Charger, which comes in V-6 and V-8 variants with rear- or all-wheel drive. But the Charger doesn’t ride quite as well as these other rivals, and its backseat is smaller.

Next Steps:

Check Insurance Rates

for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Check Financing Rates

for the 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Check Local Classifieds

for a 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix near you

See the Pontiac Grand Prix in Other Years:

2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000 | 1999 | 1998 | 1997

Comments (0 total)

Be the first to post a comment

Post a comment

Post anonymously, or
(Required)
(Required - will not be published, sold or shared)
(Optional - your 'posted by' name will link to the URL)

Remember Me?

I have read TheCarConnection.com's privacy policy