2009 Pontiac G5

Once known as GM’s performance brand, Pontiac was discontinued in 2010 along with Hummer, Saab, and Saturn. The legendary GTO of the 1960s and Firebird of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s were joined by models such as the Grand Am, Grand Prix, and Bonneville, which were based on other GM models. The Australian-built Pontiac G8 was a legitimate muscle car, and the Vibe hatchback shared its design with the Toyota Corolla Matrix. Today, most Pontiac vehicles still on the road are more than a decade old and lack the safety and convenience features found in modern vehicles.

This coupe is a rebadged Chevrolet Cobalt. It comes in both a base and GT trim. A 2.2-liter, 148-hp, four-cylinder engine powers the base model, and the GT comes with a 2.4-liter, 173-hp, four-cylinder engine. Both are available with either a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic transmission. In our testing the Cobalt was quick, but engine refinement and fuel economy were unimpressive. Handling was secure, but the steering lacked feedback. The rear seat was cramped and access was made difficult by the front safety belts. The rear seat folds 60/40 to increase storage space. 2009 was its last year.