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2006 Pontiac GTO Full Review
Date Published: 11/23/08
Also in the 2006 Pontiac GTO Review:
2006 Pontiac GTO Review
Minor changes mark 2006 for what Pontiac says is this slow selling coupe's final model year in its current design. GTO is based on a platform originated by Holden, General Motors' Australian subsidiary. It has a 400-hp V8 and a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 6-speed manual is optional. ABS, traction control, and a limited-slip differential are standard. Neither an antiskid system nor side airbags are offered. GTO seats four and has leather upholstery. Newly available are 18-inch wheels, clear tailight lenses, and night lighting for the standard steering-wheel audio controls.
Competition
Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. The Sporty/Performance Car class consists of two-seat roadsters, 4-cyl hatchbacks, and V8 muscle cars. Regardless of configuration, all have an emphasis on affordable performance.
Our Best Buys include Ford Mustang Mazda Miata, and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are Acura RSX, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Pontiac GTO.
New or significantly redesigned models include Mitsubishi Eclipse and Pontiac Solstice.
Our Best Buys include Ford Mustang Mazda Miata, and Scion tC. Our Recommended picks are Acura RSX, Honda S2000, Mini Cooper, Nissan 350Z, and Pontiac GTO.
New or significantly redesigned models include Mitsubishi Eclipse and Pontiac Solstice.
News
The reborn "Goat" goes away after 2006, but will be reincarnated in two or three years. The starting point will be the new Zeta rear-drive platform developed by General Motors' Australian branch, which builds the outgoing GTO. Other rumored Zeta models include a large flagship sedan for Buick and a reborn Mustang-fighter Chevrolet Camaro "ponycar." No firm details yet on the new GTO, but count on more-aggressive styling in the mold of traditional muscle cars like the original late-1960s GTOs.
2006 Pontiac GTO Road Test
| Pros | Cons |
| Acceleration | Fuel economy |
| Steering/handling | Rear-seat entry/exit |
| Brake performance | |
| Front-seat comfort | |
Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings
Acceleration
Real muscle-car feel lends credence to Pontiac's quote of 4.7 sec 0-60 mph with either transmission. Automatic transmission hesitates a bit to downshift, lacks a manual shift gate. Manual transmission has imprecise shift action, long throws, heavy clutch action.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 9 | 9 | 6.4 |
Real muscle-car feel lends credence to Pontiac's quote of 4.7 sec 0-60 mph with either transmission. Automatic transmission hesitates a bit to downshift, lacks a manual shift gate. Manual transmission has imprecise shift action, long throws, heavy clutch action.
Fuel Economy
Manual transmission test cars averaged 17.5-18.0 mpg in mostly highway driving. No opportunity to measure with automatic transmission. A federal Gas-Guzzler Tax applies with automatics. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel for GTO.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 5.5 |
Manual transmission test cars averaged 17.5-18.0 mpg in mostly highway driving. No opportunity to measure with automatic transmission. A federal Gas-Guzzler Tax applies with automatics. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel for GTO.
Ride Quality
Performance-car firm, but mostly comfortable. Some testers find ride control laudable, others criticize it for bounding over bumps and swells. Little impact harshness or tire thump except on very sharp bumps with 17-inch tires. No chance yet to test optional 18s.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 5 | 5 | 3.9 |
Performance-car firm, but mostly comfortable. Some testers find ride control laudable, others criticize it for bounding over bumps and swells. Little impact harshness or tire thump except on very sharp bumps with 17-inch tires. No chance yet to test optional 18s.
Steering/Handling/Braking
Assured, athletic. Minimal body lean, strong grip, quick reflexes. Steering has slight on-center dead spot, but is otherwise crisp, responsive. Strong brakes.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 8 | 8 | 8 |
Assured, athletic. Minimal body lean, strong grip, quick reflexes. Steering has slight on-center dead spot, but is otherwise crisp, responsive. Strong brakes.
Quietness
V8 growls at full throttle, makes subdued burble at steady 65 mph. Tire noise audible but not intrusive, except on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises markedly above 70 mph.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 4 | 4 | 3.2 |
V8 growls at full throttle, makes subdued burble at steady 65 mph. Tire noise audible but not intrusive, except on very coarse pavement. Wind rush rises markedly above 70 mph.
Controls
Large, legible gauges. Simple, generally user-friendly controls, though display for standard trip computer needs better daytime contrast. Cabin trim attractive, but way short of BMW-level look and feel.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 6 | 6 | 5.5 |
Large, legible gauges. Simple, generally user-friendly controls, though display for standard trip computer needs better daytime contrast. Cabin trim attractive, but way short of BMW-level look and feel.
Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)
Six-footers have ample leg room, about an inch of head clearance. Firm, well-shaped, comfortable seats with great lateral support in turns. Good driving stance, helped by standard tilt/telescope steering column, but offset pedals with manual transmission cramp left-leg space. Visibility good all-around. As in other coupes, long doors are clumsy in tight spots, but afford easy front entry/exit.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 5.2 |
Six-footers have ample leg room, about an inch of head clearance. Firm, well-shaped, comfortable seats with great lateral support in turns. Good driving stance, helped by standard tilt/telescope steering column, but offset pedals with manual transmission cramp left-leg space. Visibility good all-around. As in other coupes, long doors are clumsy in tight spots, but afford easy front entry/exit.
Room/Comfort (rear)
Seat shaped for two only, but roomy enough for adults. Front seats power fore/aft via outboard buttons on backrests, but very slowly. Even then, entry/exit quite tight, as backrests don't tip forward far and there are no assist handles.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 3 | 3 | 1.4 |
Seat shaped for two only, but roomy enough for adults. Front seats power fore/aft via outboard buttons on backrests, but very slowly. Even then, entry/exit quite tight, as backrests don't tip forward far and there are no assist handles.
Cargo Room
Puny for exterior size. Trunk fairly deep and wide, but only some 18 inches front to rear, so a couple of golf bags fill it up--and rear seatback doesn't fold down. Cabin storage just adequate.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 1 | 1 | 3.2 |
Puny for exterior size. Trunk fairly deep and wide, but only some 18 inches front to rear, so a couple of golf bags fill it up--and rear seatback doesn't fold down. Cabin storage just adequate.
Value within Class
A nicely appointed cabin with a usable back seat are pluses in this class, but it's the blend of American muscle and Euro-worthy road manners that makes GTO a Recommended pick. Low demand has dealers discounting already reasonable base prices, but be sure to budget for potentially heavy fuel thirst.
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 7 | 7 | 6.6 |
A nicely appointed cabin with a usable back seat are pluses in this class, but it's the blend of American muscle and Euro-worthy road manners that makes GTO a Recommended pick. Low demand has dealers discounting already reasonable base prices, but be sure to budget for potentially heavy fuel thirst.
Total Score
| Base, man. | Base, auto. | Class Average |
| 54 | 54 | 48.9 |
Scores for all Sporty/performance Cars
| Low Score | 40 | |
| Average Score | 48 | |
| High Score | 58 |
2006 Pontiac GTO Prices & Equipment
Model Prices
Prices Updated: 01/16/2006
| Trim Name | Retail Price | Dealer Invoice | Destination Charge |
|
|
|||
| Base 2-door coupe | $31,290 | $29,569 | $700 |
Price note: Add $1300 Gas-Guzzler Tax w/standard automatic transmission.
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
Base
Powertrain
6.0-liter V8 engine, 4-speed automatic transmission, traction control, limited-slip differential.
Safety
Dual front airbags, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, daytime running lights.
Comfort and Convenience Features
Air conditioning, power steering, tilt/telescope leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, leather upholstery, 8-way power front bucket seats w/lumbar adjustment, rear bucket seats, center console, cupholders, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, variable-intermittent wipers, illuminated visor mirrors, map lights, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.
Appearance and Miscellaneous
Theft-deterrent system, fog lights, hood scoops, rear spoiler, 245/45ZR17 tires, alloy wheels.
Optional Equipment
Powertrain |
Retail Price |
Invoice Price |
|
6-speed manual transmission
|
||
|
Base
|
$695
|
$577
|
|
Deletes Gas-Guzzler Tax.
|
||
|
|
||
Appearance and Miscellaneous |
||
|
235/40ZR18 tires
|
||
|
Base
|
$495
|
$411
|
|
|
||
2006 Pontiac GTO Specs & Safety
Vehicle Dimensions
| Specification | Pontiac GTO 2-door coupe |
| Wheelbase, in. | 109.8 |
| Overall Length, in. | 189.8 |
| Overall Width, in. | 72.5 |
| Overall Height, in. | 54.9 |
| Curb Weight, lbs. | 3725 |
| Cargo Volume, cu. ft. | 7.0 |
| Standard Payload, lbs. | -- |
| Fuel Capacity, gals. | 18.5 |
| Seating Capacity | 4 |
| Front Head Room, in. | 37.3 |
| Max. Front Leg Room, in. | 42.2 |
| Rear Head Room, in. | 37.3 |
| Max. Rear Leg Room, in. | 37.1 |
Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.
Engines
| ohv V8 | |
| Size, liters/cu. in. | 6.0 /364 |
| Horsepower @ rpm. | 400 @ 5200 |
| Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm. | 400 @ 4000 |
| Availability | Standard |
|
EPA City / highway mpg
|
|
| 6-speed manual | 17/25 |
| 4-speed automatic | 16/21 |
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 GTO 2-door coupe |
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:
Australia
Drivewheels:
rear-wheel drive
Also in the 2006 Pontiac GTO Review:
1.
2.
3.
4.
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