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2008 Pontiac Solstice Performance Review

August 19, 2008

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

finally brings real excitement to the Pontiac brand
Edmunds

the major downer is weight
Automobile

the hot version is actually more frugal than the base model
Road & Track

responsive and well-sorted
Popular Mechanics

fantastic steering
Car and Driver

The 2008 Pontiac Solstice’s high curb weight is overshadowed by fantastic handling, great balance, and the power and economy of the optional turbocharged engine.

While a thoroughly modern DOHC, variable valve timing four-cylinder with 173 horsepower, 167 pound-feet of torque, and 2.4 liters of displacement, the Solstice’s base engine doesn’t sound particularly sexy, nor does it motivate the nearly 3,000-pound roadster with a surplus of verve. Says Car and Driver of this engine, it “makes decent numbers, but decent isn’t good enough when your little roadster weighs a ton and a half.” Edmunds agrees, claiming “it doesn't feel much like a sports car engine.”

Step up to the optional 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder available only in the Solstice GXP, and motivation changes dramatically. With 260 of both horses and pound-feet of twist, this engine graces the Solstice with “a Miata-mincing mid-five-second 0-60 acceleration time” and increases “highway fuel economy from 25 mpg to 28, while maintaining a 19-mpg rating around town,” according to Car and Driver. “The GXP's four-cylinder is the strong, silent type,” says Automobile, “boasting a specific output exceeding that of every turbocharged engine on the market save Porsche's new 911 and Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution.”

As Colin Chapman’s mantra dictates, weight is the enemy of performance. The Solstice doesn’t impress here, with a curb weight some 500 pounds greater than the segment’s darling, Mazda’s MX-5 Miata. Thankfully, its 1.5-ton footprint is remarkably well managed by a commendably stiff structure, excellent suspension tuning, and near 50/50 front/rear balance. Car and Driver feels that both the base roadster and the GXP “match the good looks of their sheet metal with sparkling handling” while simultaneously lamenting that the platform is “too heavy to match the vivid immediacy…of the Mazda MX-5.”

Conclusion

If neither as nimble nor as lithe as its competition, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice proves to be fun, tenacious, and quite rapid in GXP trim.

PERFORMANCE | 8 out of 10Expert Quotes:finally brings real excitement to the Pontiac brandEdmundsthe major downer is weightAutomobilethe hot version is actually more frugal than the base modelRoad & Trackresponsive and well-sortedPopular Mechanicsfantastic steeringCar and Driver The 2008 Pontiac Solstice’s high curb weight is overshadowed by fantastic handling, great balance, and the power and economy of the optional turbocharged engine. While a thoroughly modern DOHC, variable valve timing four-cylinder with 173 horsepower, 167 pound-feet of torque, and 2.4 liters of displacement, the Solstice’s base engine doesn’t sound particularly sexy, nor does it motivate the nearly 3,000-pound roadster with a surplus of verve. Says Car and Driver of this engine, it “makes decent numbers, but decent isn’t good enough when your little roadster weighs a ton and a half.” Edmunds agrees, claiming “it doesn't feel much like a sports car engine.” Step up to the optional 2.0-liter twin-scroll turbocharged, direct-injected four-cylinder available only in the Solstice GXP, and motivation changes dramatically. With 260 of both horses and pound-feet of twist, this engine graces the Solstice with “a Miata-mincing mid-five-second 0-60 acceleration time” and increases “highway fuel economy from 25 mpg to 28, while maintaining a 19-mpg rating around town,” according to Car and Driver. “The GXP's four-cylinder is the strong, silent type,” says Automobile, “boasting a specific output exceeding that of every turbocharged engine on the market save Porsche's new 911 and Mitsubishi's Lancer Evolution.” As Colin Chapman’s mantra dictates, weight is the enemy of performance. The Solstice doesn’t impress here, with a curb weight some 500 pounds greater than the segment’s darling, Mazda’s MX-5 Miata. Thankfully, its 1.5-ton footprint is remarkably well managed by a commendably stiff structure, excellent suspension tuning, and near 50/50 front/rear balance. Car and Driver feels that both the base roadster and the GXP “match the good looks of their sheet metal with sparkling handling” while simultaneously lamenting that the platform is “too heavy to match the vivid immediacy…of the Mazda MX-5.” ConclusionIf neither as nimble nor as lithe as its competition, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice proves to be fun, tenacious, and quite rapid in GXP trim.  2008 PONTIAC SOLSTICE STYLING | [8 out of 10] Road & Track: “a 21st-century American concept car brought to life” Kelley Blue Book: “exotic good looks” Edmunds: “turns heads just about everywhere it goes” Road & Track: “a cockpit defined — and constricted — by its sweeping ...

Read More of this Review:

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

Other Choices:

The Saturn Sky is very closely related to the 2008 Pontiac Solstice but includes much more standard equipment, albeit for a base price that’s several thousand dollars higher, although many consider the Saturn’s interior design to be superior to that of the Solstice. The Honda S2000 may be the closest competitor to the Solstice GXP; it brings an incredibly rev-happy 237-horsepower, 2.2-liter VTEC four-cylinder and six-speed manual. Though it doesn’t match the Red Line for straight-line performance, it beats it for the tactile experience. The Miata covers the basics with a certain tactile charm that the Solstice lacks; the shift action, very direct steering feel, and sound of the modest engine powering the balanced, lightweight roadster is still unbeatable. The torquey Nissan 350Z Roadster is also worth a look for those who seek V-6 grunt above all else.

Next Steps:

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See the Pontiac Solstice in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006

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