Acceleration

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
6	7	7	5.3

Base V6 provides plenty of power for everyday use. Supercharged version is muscular: Pontiac claims 6.5 sec 0-60 mph. GXP feels stronger still. Smooth transmission kicks down quickly for passing. TAPshift's paddles hard to reach, but provide prompt upshifts and downshifts, afford more manual control than most such systems.

Fuel Economy

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
5	4	4	5.2

Test GTP averaged 17.1 mpg in mix of city/highway driving. Expect about 2 mpg better with base V6. No opportunity to measure with GXP. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel for GTP and GXP.

Ride Quality

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
7	6	6	6.1

Comfortable on uneven pavement, but can be floaty at highway speeds. GTP and GXP more stable, being firm but not harsh over bumps.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
7	7	8	6.1

All models composed, balanced. GXP's performance tires help give it sharp moves, good grip in turns. GXP suffers from annoying torque steer--unwanted pulling to one side in brisk acceleration. Steering on all firm and responsive, but wide turning circle hampers close-quarters maneuvering. Brakes on test cars felt numb, spongy, but stopped well.

Quietness

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
7	6	6	6

Wind noise muted. Low-profile tires on GTP/GXP slap on sharp pavement joints, but road rumble otherwise unobtrusive. V6 gruff in full-throttle acceleration; V8 much smoother.

Controls

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
5	5	5	6.6

Large gauges, easy-to-use controls. Unlike many other General Motors cars, wipers get own stalk instead of sharing turn-signal lever.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
7	7	7	6.3

Ample leg room, but no excess of head room, particularly with sunroof. Good side-bolster support in turns. Some testers say long-trip comfort compromised by too-firm seatbacks. Thick windshield-pillar bases hamper outward vision.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
3	3	3	4.7

Fair leg room but limited toe space. Seatback uncomfortably hard, and low cushion provides little thigh support. Rear doors open unusually wide, easing entry/exit, but low coupe-style roofline means passengers must duck getting in or out.

Cargo Room

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
5	5	5	4.5

Trunk volume average for class. But available fold-flat front-passenger seat coupled with standard 60/40 split folding rear seatback expands load volume and accommodates objects up to 9.5-ft long. Wide-opening rear doors ease loading bulky items.

Value within Class

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
6	5	5	5.7

It trails our top-rated Honda Accord and Toyota Camry in quality of interior materials, and rear-seat comfort is substandard. But the competitively priced Grand Prix delivers good performance, a comfortable ride, cargo versatility, and plenty of features.

Total Score

GT	GTP w/Sport Package	GXP	Class Average
58	55	56	56.5

Scores for all Midsize Cars

Low Score		45
Average Score		56
High Score		71