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2008 Pontiac Solstice Safety Review

August 19, 2008

SAFETY | 7 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Four stars, front impacts; five stars, side impacts
NHTSA

No data
IIHS

Judging by its crash-test results and considering its stout (and heavy) Corvette-inspired frame, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice provides laudable protection for one or two occupants.

The critics had precious little to say about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice’s safety features, perhaps because they aren’t anything surprising, new, or exceptionally high-tech.

In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing, the Solstice scored four of five stars for front impact, both driver and passenger. It scored a rare five stars for rollover resistance, due in part to its wide stance and low center of gravity. For the driver’s side, the Solstice scored four stars in the side impact test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet tested a Pontiac Solstice.

Perhaps to bring the Solstice in at a low, competitive price point, a feature normally standard in this class (and, really, in nearly every class of vehicle) is optional. That feature is anti-lock brakes, an $895 option on the base roadster and a $797 option on the GXP, where it also includes traction control and GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system, and requires the limited slip differential. Front airbags are standard for driver and passenger, but side airbags are not available.

It’s worth mentioning that in the area of passive safety (that is, accident avoidance), a small, nimble vehicle with quick reflexes and not much physical presence to manage is ideal. With its balanced chassis and hyper-responsive driving dynamics, the Solstice is an ideal vehicle in which to dart away from dangerous situations and bad drivers.

Automobile notes, “Solstice engineers performed crash tests with advanced mathematical analysis instead of running prototypes.” This aids in lowering development costs, which again help bring the Solstice in at a base price of around $20,000.

Conclusion

The 2008 Pontiac Solstice offers impressive passive, but simply adequate active, safety features.

SAFETY | 7 out of 10Expert Quotes:Four stars, front impacts; five stars, side impactsNHTSANo dataIIHS Judging by its crash-test results and considering its stout (and heavy) Corvette-inspired frame, the 2008 Pontiac Solstice provides laudable protection for one or two occupants. The critics had precious little to say about the 2008 Pontiac Solstice’s safety features, perhaps because they aren’t anything surprising, new, or exceptionally high-tech. In National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) crash testing, the Solstice scored four of five stars for front impact, both driver and passenger. It scored a rare five stars for rollover resistance, due in part to its wide stance and low center of gravity. For the driver’s side, the Solstice scored four stars in the side impact test. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has not yet tested a Pontiac Solstice. Perhaps to bring the Solstice in at a low, competitive price point, a feature normally standard in this class (and, really, in nearly every class of vehicle) is optional. That feature is anti-lock brakes, an $895 option on the base roadster and a $797 option on the GXP, where it also includes traction control and GM’s StabiliTrak stability control system, and requires the limited slip differential. Front airbags are standard for driver and passenger, but side airbags are not available. It’s worth mentioning that in the area of passive safety (that is, accident avoidance), a small, nimble vehicle with quick reflexes and not much physical presence to manage is ideal. With its balanced chassis and hyper-responsive driving dynamics, the Solstice is an ideal vehicle in which to dart away from dangerous situations and bad drivers. Automobile notes, “Solstice engineers performed crash tests with advanced mathematical analysis instead of running prototypes.” This aids in lowering development costs, which again help bring the Solstice in at a base price of around $20,000. ConclusionThe 2008 Pontiac Solstice offers impressive passive, but simply adequate active, safety features.  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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