2006-2008 Pontiac Solstice: Full Review

Acceleration is generally satisfying in base form, stronger yet from the GXP. Slow-to-rev but fast to turn coarse, the standard four-cylinder is no high-performance engine. Still, Solstice is quick enough off the line to lend credence to Pontiac's claim of 0-60 mph acceleration in 7.0 seconds--with either transmission. Expect plenty of pep for most needs, though highway-passing power is modest. The turbo delivers strong power after an initial delay for turbo lag. Automatic transmissions elicit no real penalty. The manual gearbox's shifter has positive throws, but less-than-fluid engagement. Fuel economy is about on par for a small sports car. Regular Solstices averaged 23 to 25.2 mpg in mostly highway driving. In city/highway driving, a manual-shift model averaged 20.8 mpg. An automatic Solstice averaged 18.1 mpg in mostly city runs. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel for both engines. For a sports car with 18-inch tires, the Solstice is impressively compliant and composed over most bumps. No float or wallow occurs on high-speed dips and swells, though the ride gets "busy" on rippled freeways--jiggly on wrinkled pavement at highway speeds. Solstice suspensions are tuned slightly tauter than the Saturn Sky's but the difference is hard to detect. The GXP's sport suspension is tauter yet and transmits somewhat more impact harshness. Pontiac hits the mark for sporty fun, especially in GXP form. Responsive steering provides just the right degree of road feel. Quick and well balanced through turns, the Solstice maintains good grip, even in bumpy corners--though large bumps can upset the GXP. Solstices are also confidently stable at highway speeds and in strong crosswinds. Engines get buzzy or boomy, depending on rpm--loud enough to drown most tire noise. No high-tech engine sounds here, and the buzzy exhaust note is a constant companion. Top-down wind rush challenges conversation. Test cars have had some panel squeaks, plus annoying top-up wind whistle from side windows due to poor sealing. Basically spartan, the dashboard holds simple, easily accessed controls--but some are awkward to reach in the tight cockpit. Gauges sit in deep tunnels and have overstyled graphics, making them hard to read even in daylight. For some drivers, they may be obscured by the steering-wheel rim. Impractical cupholders demand an awkward rearward reach. Frequently-touched cabin surfaces are padded, but decor is otherwise dominated by hard plastic, thin-feeling panels. Tighter for six-footers than Mazda's MX-5, the Solstice offers acceptable leg space and good top-up headroom. Larger occupants may want more shoulder room. Shorter drivers will find the seating position quite low, but there's good lateral and lower-back support, despite absence of lumbar adjustment. Low seats also make entry/exit a chore. The double-hump rear bulkhead obstructs vision over the shoulders and rearward for shorter drivers, and the top-up view to the sides isn't great--though the rear view generally beats most convertibles. The top cannot be lowered or raised without getting out of the car to manipulate the folding mechanism, rear-roof pegs, and trunklid. Cargo space is meager at best. The fabric top lowers into the trunk, which has a lid hinged at the rear, leaving room for little more than a briefcase. Top-up, there's enough space for one large golf bag or two small ones. Top-down, most usable volume is sacrificed. Precious little interior small-items storage space is available, even by sports-car standards.

Value for the Money
Dynamically capable and emotionally evocative, Solstice entered the market as a worthy competitor for the Mazda MX-5. Overall, it matches Mazda's roadster for performance, handling, and style--though not for practicality or powertrain punch. Of course, its uninspired engine performance, budget-grade interior materials, lack of refinement, and compromised ergonomics won't matter much to buyers who love the idea of an affordable, fun-to-drive American sports car. The turbo GXP is notably faster, but otherwise suffers the same drawbacks as the base Solstice.