Slip behind the wheel and the Grand Am's racy personality immediately shows up in the
instrument panel -- a cacophony of orange and red dials that rival a carnival midway
when they're lit for nighttime driving.
You soon get used to that, however, and all of the controls are pretty easy to figure
out and use. The radio buttons are especially big and friendly, and the heating and
cooling system is operated by three large, simple knobs just below the sound system.
But getting comfortable in the Grand Am is more of a challenge than in most other
mid-size cars. The front seats seem to sit lower to the floor and there's a slight
sense of having to look up and over the dashboard to see out. Many drivers also find
that they have to sit too close to the steering wheel in order to comfortably reach
the pedals.
The Grand Am's cabin feels smaller than in many competitors, including the Accord or
Dodge Stratus. Pontiac says the Grand Am has comparable legroom and headroom. But
four adults will feel much less cramped and more comfortable in an Accord or Stratus,
and we don't need a ruler to tell us that.
Aesthetically, the Grand Am's interior fabrics and plastics have been improved for
'96, and they're pleasant enough to pass muster. Less pleasing are the two big round
vents that have appeared in the middle of the dash, just above the radio. They're new
for '96 and Pontiac says they'll rattle less than the old rectangular vents and
contribute to the "overall harmony" of the Grand Am's interior. We found them to be
so prominent as to be almost annoying.
Turn the key and the Grand Am's exhaust emits a sporty rumble; so far, so good. Step
on the gas and the Grand Am gets off to a fine start. It doesn't snap your head back
or anything, but there's certainly no life-and-death drama trying to get on the
freeway.
Exit onto a country lane and the Grand Am looks like it should be ready for all the
twists and turns you care to tackle. On good pavement, that is the case; there was
some body roll, but we stuck to the road pretty well.
On rougher roads, the Grand Am is much less sure-footed. When the going gets bumpy,
the car's rear wheels have a tough time maintaining contact with the road,
compromising its sporty premise.
All in all, our SE test car didn't handle any better than many competitors that have
no pretense to sports car performance.
So if the Grand Am isn't as sporty as advertised, is it at least comfortable enough to
get around in? Yep.
There's still some noticeable engine noise on most takeoffs from stop signs or traffic
lights and the repeatedly refined four-cylinder engine still isn't as vibration-free
as, say, the Accord's.
But the Grand Am keeps the traffic and wind noise to acceptable levels. The front
suspension sends a few more bumps up through the steering wheel than we would like,
but the overall ride is not wearing.