2005 Pontiac Grand Am Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

Retail sales of the sedan body style cease during 2005 as Pontiac begins to phase-in Grand Am's replacement, a new car called the G6. Grand Am now offers only coupes in GT and GT1 trim. They come with a 175-hp V6, automatic transmission, traction control, and antilock 4-wheel disc brakes. SC/T option packages include such features as a hood made of a plasticlike composite material, plus rear spoiler, chrome wheels and exhaust tips, SC/T logos, and satellite radio. The last is also a separate option, as is a CD/MP3 player. Side airbags are not offered.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Our Recommended picks include the Chevrolet Malibu, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 6, Nissan Altima, and Subaru Outback and Legacy.

News

Detroit dirt-diggers say Pontiac will keep building Grand Am sedans for rental fleets and such as long as demand holds up. Grand Am coupes reportedly hang on until early in 2005, when they're set to be replaced by sporty 2-dr versions of the just-introduced G6 sedan.

2005 Pontiac Grand Am Road Test

Pros	Cons

Acceleration	Rear-seat entry/exit

Steering/handling	Interior materials

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

GT	Class Average
6	5.3

V6 gutsy for the class; test car did about 8 sec 0-60 mph. But quick takeoffs can induce bothersome torque steer--pulling to one side. Transmission acceptably smooth, responsive.

Fuel Economy

GT	Class Average
5	5.2

Test V6 versions averaged 19.4-23.7 mpg depending on driving conditions. Pontiac recommends regular-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

GT	Class Average
5	6.1

Not harsh over most bumps, but not that compliant, either. Chassis loses its cool on rough pavement at highway speeds, compromising stability.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GT	Class Average
6	6.1

Far from Euro-sedan precise, but Grand Am has pleasantly weighted steering, reasonably quick turn-in, and good cornering grip. Brake-pedal feel is firm, stopping performance adequate with standard ABS.

Quietness

GT	Class Average
4	6

Loud engine moan at high rpm, and sporty exhaust note quickly grows tiresome. Tires thrum intrusively on rough surfaces, thump loudly over tar strips. Wind noise a constant.

Controls

GT	Class Average
3	6.6

Overstyled dash annoys with deeply recessed gauges. Major controls group conveniently around the driver, though switch action feels cheap. Interior materials subpar for the class.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GT	Class Average
5	6.3

Sufficient room, but spongy seats don't support well in spirited cornering, and some drivers find manual-tilt steering wheel is too close.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GT	Class Average
3	4.7

A little cramped for adults, as is entry/exit. Seat too soft, cushion too small, for long-haul comfort.

Cargo Room

GT	Class Average
4	4.5

Spacious trunk, but opening is small, liftover high. Standard split folding rear seatbacks compensate some.

Value within Class

GT	Class Average
4	5.7

Grand Am is overdue for replacement, lacking the refinement, build quality, and interior space of most import rivals. Main attractions are strong V6 power, competent road manners, and lots of equipment at attractive prices.

Total Score

GT	Class Average
45	56.5

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		45
Average Score		56
High Score		71

2005 Pontiac Grand Am Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 12/13/2004

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

GT 2-door coupe	$22,500	$20,588	$625

GT1 2-door coupe	$23,750	$21,731	$625

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Powertrain

3.4-liter V6 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission.

Safety

Traction control, dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, power steering, tilt leather-wrapped steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, power height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, Monsoon AM/FM/CD player, digital clock, tachometer, variable-intermittent wipers, driver-side visor mirror, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Rear spoiler, 225/50R16 tires, alloy wheels.

GT1 adds to GT:

Comfort and Convenience Features

6-way power driver seat, power sunroof, AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, steering-wheel radio controls.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Solid Value Appearance Pkg.
GT	$1,550	$1,380
AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, power sunroof, chrome alloy wheels.

SC/T Solid Value Appearance Pkg.
GT1	$2,960	$2,635
SC/T Appearance Pkg. plus leather upholstery, satellite radio, chrome exhaust tips, chrome alloy wheels. Satellite radio requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

SC/T Appearance Pkg.
GT, GT1	$1,245	$1,108
Composite hood, aero rear spoiler.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Power sunroof
GT	$700	$623


Leather upholstery
GT, GT1	$595	$530


AM/FM/CD/MP3 player
GT	$200	$178


Satellite radio
GT, GT1	$325	$289
Requires monthly fee after 3rd month.

Smoker's Pkg.
GT, GT1	$15	$13
Ashtray, lighter.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
GT, GT1	$35	$31


Composite hood
GT, GT1	$995	$886


Rear spoiler
GT, GT1	$250	$223


Front license plate cover
GT, GT1	$10	$9


Chrome alloy wheels
GT, GT1	$650	$579

2005 Pontiac Grand Am Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Pontiac Grand Am 2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	107.2

Overall Length, in.	186.3

Overall Width, in.	70.4

Overall Height, in.	55.1

Curb Weight, lbs.	3066

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	14.6

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	14.1

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.3

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.1

Rear Head Room, in.	37.3

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	35.5

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	ohv V6

Size, liters/cu. in.	3.4 /204

Horsepower @ rpm.	175 @ 4800

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	205 @ 4000

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

4-speed automatic	20/29

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test	Pontiac Grand Am 2-door coupe

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	1

Side Impact, Rear Passenger	4

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	None/--	--

Bumper-to-bumper	3/36,000	--

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	3/36,000	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: USA

Drivewheels: front-wheel drive

< 2005 Pontiac Grand Am Photos

Also in the 2005 Pontiac Grand Am Review:

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Pontiac Grand Am Road Test

Pontiac Grand Am Prices & Equipment

Pontiac Grand Am Specs & Safety

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