Driving Impressions

The Pontiac G6 GT is fun to drive and quite pleasant for cruising around. We found the sedan, coupe and convertible models reasonably quiet, though a little noise from the powertrain and some road noise slipped in here and there, and there was some wind noise from the sharp-edged mirror bodies. Handling is responsive and fun. The GT suspension strikes a good balance between handling and ride quality. The ride is comfortable and smooth and the car tracks well. The electric power steering is nicely weighted in terms effort at the steering wheel rim, but a little vague in fast transitions. The EcoTec 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is from the same double overhead-cam engine family used in the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 169 horsepower, with 162 pound-feet of torque. The popular 3.5-liter V6 is quiet and smooth, producing 224 horsepower and 220 lb.-ft. of torque. GM has refined this overhead-valve engine and it's relatively smooth and quiet withdecent fuel economy. The more powerful 3.6-liter engine that comes in the GXP is an overhead-cam engine with variable-valve timing rated at 252 hp and251 lb.-ft. of torque. The automatic transmission worked flawlessly. The four-speed automatic is matched well to the engine's power and torque bands. The six-speed works better. Most of the time, we simply put it in Drive and drove. However, the automatic features a simple manual-control mechanism that allows the driver to shift manually. When the manual mode is selected, it will not automatically upshift for you at redline but will go right up against the rev limiter, a strategy many enthusiasts prefer. An indicator light in the instrument panel helps remind you to shift. We did a number of 90-0 mph ABS panic stops in a G6 GT on a deserted country road, and it stopped straight and true every time with no fade. The brakes have a nice, progressive power application through the pedal.

Final Word

The Pontiac G6 is a roomy car that offers good road manners and excellent overall function, especially at initial prices. With sedans, coupes, convertibles, high-performance models, and a low-price leader all available, buyers should be able to find a G6 that suits their lifestyle. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw reported on the sedan from Detroit, with Mitch McCullough reporting on the coupe and convertible from Los Angeles.