2000 Pontiac Sunfire: Overview

Vehicle Highlights

Pontiac's smallest car loses its convertible model but gains two new option packages at midyear. Sunfire shares mechanical components with the Chevrolet Cavalier but has slightly different styling. It's offered as a 4-door SE sedan and 2-door SE and GT coupe. GM ceased production of convertible Sunfires and Cavaliers at the end of calendar 1999. GTs have a reworked nose with integral foglamps, plus new-look alloy wheels. Inside is a revamped center console with two cupholders and a padded center armrest. GTs gain a leather-wrapped steering wheel, shift knob, and parking-brake handle. Automatic-transmission models now have a lighted console shift indicator. A high-powered Monsoon audio system is a new option. New at midyear for GT models were the Sun and Storm option packages, which add a power sunroof and Monsoon system to existing packages at discounts.

All Sunfires use a 4-cylinder engine. A 2.2 liter is standard on SE, a 2.4 is standard on GTs, optional on SEs. Manual transmission is standard and is now supplied by Getrag of Germany in an effort to improve shift feel. A 3-speed automatic transmission is optional on 2.2s, and both engines can get an extra-cost 4-speeed automatic. Antilock brakes are standard, and traction control is included with the 4-speed automatic. Sunfire's performance and accommodations mirror those of like-equipped Cavaliers.

COMPETITION

This crowded segment is best represented by two exceptional cars--one a Best Buy and the other a Recommended. Our Best Buy is the Honda Civic, which offers a wide range of bodystyles, engines, and equipment levels. Civic is a solid car that has good performance, a nice ride, and is very civilized.

Topping the Recommended list are the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta. They easily could be Best Buys as they are better than the Civic in many ways. However, they are also the most expensive cars in this segment. Other Recommended choices include the no-frills Chevrolet Cavalier and Dodge Neon, the slightly-upscale Chevy Prizm and clone Toyota Corolla, and the roomy Mazda Protege.

If you are looking for a Budget Buy we recommend you stay away from the Hyundai or Daewoo models and take a look at the Ford Escort.