Pontiac G6 Interior Review
The G6 interior is altogether new and different from the somewhat excitable, frenetic soft-plastic, fat-knob theme of past Grand Ams. It is much darker, more modern, more European, done in four major sections including a stark, ungrained plastic center stack that holds two vents, the sound system, heater controls, and a 12-volt power outlet. Instruments and controls are presented in white on black (red at night). Every single knob and escutcheon has a chrome ring around it. Very tasty, and nicely presented, with small, conservative graphics on the faces and labels.
The center stack has a red-LED readout and control panel that allows every owner to use the sound system's features, and to customize the locking, lighting, and other functions, with a trip computer and driver information system that's easy, intuitive, and fun to use. The new sporty front bucket seats are made for body comfort and body retention in high-speed maneuvers, and they are very comfortable and thickly padded.
This G6 is a now a grown-up. New optional features available on the G6 that were never available on the Grand Am include a neat remote starting system for those cold winter mornings, power adjustable pedals, OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, and the newest item on the shelf, a Panoramic roof.
Developed by GM and Webasto, this top comes open in four stacking segments, front to rear, and has about twice as much open area as the conventional sunroof, which is still offered. It's remarkable how easily it works, and keeps conversation possible even at very high road speeds.
Pontiac G6 Road Test
We found the G6 reasonably quiet. A few powertrain and road noises slipped in here and there, and there was some wind noise from the sharp-cornered mirror bodies. 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 engine in our test car was the standard 3.5-liter V6. It's quiet and smooth, with a 0-60 mph time that's just enough to keep you out of trouble, but not enough to make your heart beat faster. The transmission worked flawlessly. It features a neat, simple manual-control mechanism built into the shifter and a gear indicator LED straight ahead in the instrument panel so you don't forget, important because this manual mode will not automatically upshift for you at redline. It goes right up against the rev limiter. Ratios were well matched to the engine's power and torque bands. Some torque steer was evident on full-throttle starts and low-speed kickdowns, which shouldn't be there on a modern platform like Epsilon.
The 3.5-liter V6 produces 200 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque. The 3.9-liter HO engine that comes in the GTP is rated at 240 horsepower, 245 pound-feet of torque. The new and improved 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine is rated 175 horsepower, 170 pound-feet of torque. The GM EcoTec 2.4-liter is a double overhead-cam engine used in the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra, and Chevrolet Malibu. The four-cylinder engine will be restricted to the base SE, and the big HO V6 will only come on the GTP.
The G6 has been updated with improved engines, the 3.5 and 3.9-liter, respectively, but they are still old engines. They are larger, updated versions of the 60-degree 2.8-liter V6 engine that was optional on the X-cars in 1980, 25 years ago. They are overhead-valve engines, low-tech to be sure, but they're relatively smooth and quiet and they get decent fuel economy, with an EPA City/Highway rating of 21/29 miles per gallon.
We did a number of 90-0 mph ABS panic stops with the car 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.
Pontiac G6 Lineup
The Pontiac G6 starts at $20,675 for an SE V6 (all prices are MSRP and do not include the $625 destination charge). A less-expensive version with a new 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine will be launched in spring 2005.
The sportier GT model ($23,300) adds a rear spoiler, ABS, 17-inch wheels and tires, power pedals, power seat with more adjustments, and a 200-watt Monsoon premium sound system.
The high-performance GTP uses its own special 3.9-liter engine and higher-capacity 4T65-E four-speed automatic transaxle. An F40 6-speed wide-ratio transaxle will be optional. The GTP is being launched spring 2005.
Safety features: Side-impact air bags ($690) are optional. ABS is optional and is packaged with traction control. Traction assist is available on the SE, full-spectrum traction control on the GT, and traction control with the GM/Delphi Stabilitrak chassis control system will be available on the GTP. OnStar, an excellent safety feature for its ability to summon help, is optional.
Options include OnStar ($695), XM Satellite Radio ($325), a standard sunroof ($700), a Panoramic roof ($1500), Monsoon premium sound ($300), remote starting ($150), and chrome-finish 17-inch wheels ($650). Various options packages are available, including a Leather Package for the GT ($1365).