2008 Pontiac G6 Review – A Different Animal
Options galore for 2008
The Pontiac G6 has been around since 2005 and while it hasn’t been the most successful car in terms of critical or consumer reception, it remains a great option for buyers. It is GM’s first offering that shares a similar platform to a European vehicle, the Opel Astra. The 2008 Pontiac G6 is an updated version of a car that aims to offer American buyers the feel of a European sedan. It is stylish, it offers refined performance, and it stands tall in a segment that is overcrowded with mediocre offerings.
The 2008 Pontiac G6 comes in two versions. The 2008 Pontiac G6 sedan is the family-friendly version, while the 2008 Pontiac G6 coupe is the more refined stylish car. There is also a GXP trim that offers more features than the standard models. There is also a convertible model for those that want to let their hair down on the roads.
The performance
One of the key factors of the Pontiac G6 is performance. The car is front-wheel drive and it comes with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that gives out a neat 164 bhp and delivers a crisp 158 lb-ft of torque. This engine is standard for the G6 Sedan and there is a better 3.5-liter V6 engine that gives an even 219 bhp and lb-ft of torque. To help you get the best out of the engine you get a four-speed automatic transmission.
For those looking for even more performance, there is the GXP model that comes with a 3.6-liter V6 generating a heavy 252 bhp and 251 lb-ft of torque. The result is a car that is blazingly fast in the segment. The GXP coupe gives you a neat 6.2 seconds on a 0 to 60 dash. You get a great athletic ride on the GT and the GXP versions. The steering is good on both, although it feels a little lackluster on the standard model. The 2008 Pontiac G6 tire size varies across the board. You get a 16-inch on the base, and 17 and 18-inch tires as options.
Design language
The 2008 Pontiac G6 is so much more aggressively styled than any other car in the segment. Especially for this version, the front and the rear fascia come with a meaner look. You get a much wider chrome grille that sits flush with the top while giving the car a much bolder look. The rear also accommodates the single or dual exhaust set-up well. The car looks much better with 17-inch wheels. The coupe is the stand-out variant. Regardless of any model you pick, you get a car that looks far better on roads than anything else from this segment.
You can also get the optional rear spoiler. The car is a deviation from the previous design language that made the car look muscular. The G6 instead looks very sleek and mean. The curves of the car accentuate the new grille design as well. It may not be for everyone but then beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.
Interiors that suit the segment
The interiors while fitting the general standards of the segment are still a mixed bag. You get seats that have been aggressively designed and will firmly hold you in place when you take the car to its limits. There is a lot of chrome, or fake metal, faux’ as it is called, inside the car. While it is not a bad thing, the quality of materials could have been better.
The advantage of a 2008 Pontiac G6 is that you get lots of room, courtesy of the long wheelbase. The rear seats are very spacious, even in the coupe version. The convertible comes with a hardtop that folds with a click of a button.
The beauty behind the brilliance of the 2008 Pontiac G6 price is that you get a slew of customizable options for the interiors. From power windows, doors, and mirrors, to racing-style gauges you can make the car your own. The distinctive performance and racing ideology are apparent in the car and you can experience it by choosing the right options and trim. Buyers can also maximize comfort by opting for leather and heated seats.
Safety and features
The safety on the 2008 Pontiac G6 is great. You get an anti-lock braking system as standard on all trims. You also get traction control and stability control in all models. You also get front and side-impact airbags on all the trims. The G6 earned a respectable five stars on both the front and side-impact crash tests. The convertible has a slightly lower score on the impacts.
Moving on to the features that you can get, the G6 offers a lot to buyers. You get a range of packages that help you customize the car to the next level. The preferred package for the standard model gives you a cargo net, remote vehicle start, carpeted floor mats, leather wraps for the steering wheel, brake handle, and shift knob, along with audio controls on the steering wheels.
For the GXP, the preferred package fetches you remote vehicle start, adjustable pedals, floor mats, and a cargo net. If you upgrade to the premium package, you get all the features from the preferred package and also front bucket seats with leather on the GT version, which upscales to two-tone leather inserts on the seats for the GXP. You also get heating on seats. For a more family-oriented experience, you can opt for the aptly named sun and sound package which gives you a power sunroof and rear spoiler.
In conclusion
The 2008 Pontiac G6 is a great car. It comes with a design that is bold and menacing. It is different from all the other cars in the segment. You get a car that stands out boldly. The performance on the G6 is also noteworthy. It is better than almost all cars in the same price bracket.
On top of that, you get comfortable interiors. The range of trims also makes the car customizable to your liking. For all the minor 2008 Pontiac G6 problems, you will forget it all as soon as you take it out for a spin.
