2007 Pontiac G5 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

G5 marks the return of a compact coupe to Pontiac's lineup after the Sunfire was discontinued in 2005. This 2-dr comes in base and GT models. It shares its basic design and 4-cyl powertrains with the Chevrolet Cobalt, but G5 doesn't offer sedan or supercharged versions. Base G5s have 148 hp, GTs have 173. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard. A 4-speed automatic is optional. Traction control is available with automatic transmission. ABS is optional on the base G5, standard on GT. GTs include rear disc brakes and sport suspension. Front side airbags and curtain side airbags are available on all. OnStar assistance and remote engine start are optional. G5's performance and accommodations mirror those of similarly equipped Cobalts.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Compact Cars comprise popularly priced sedans, hatchbacks, and wagons with wheelbases 100 inches or longer.

Our Best Buys include the Honda Civic and Mazda 3. Our Recommended picks are the Chevrolet Cobalt, Ford Focus, and Mazda 5.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Sentra, Nissan Versa, and Pontiac G5.

News

G5 should share some near-term changes planned for the parent Cobalt. The Chevy is due to be freshened for 2008, but the Pontiac is newer, so it might not be spruced-up until 2010.

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2007 Pontiac G5 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Controls/materials	Engine noise

Fuel economy	Rear-seat room/comfort

Steering/handling

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

GT, auto.	Class Average
5	4.6

Automatic-transmission GT only G5 made available for test. Acceleration adequate but not as lively as 173 hp should act. It feels only slightly quicker than similar Cobalts with the 148-hp 4-cyl engine used in the base G5. Automatic transmission responsive, quick to downshift for more passing power.

Fuel Economy

GT, auto.	Class Average
7	6.5

No opportunity to measure. Base G5s use regular-grade fuel. Pontiac recommends premium for GT.

Ride Quality

GT, auto.	Class Average
5	5.3

Final evaluation awaits full road test. Preview test drives show G5 GT firm, stable on most road surfaces, and never uncomfortable.

Steering/Handling/Braking

GT, auto.	Class Average
6	5.8

Some body lean evident while cornering, but good stability, grip overall. Steering quick, informative. GT's standard antilock 4-wheel disc brakes have good stopping control.

Quietness

GT, auto.	Class Average
4	4.4

Modest road and wind noise. Tire roar intrudes, even on smooth pavement. Engine buzz annoys while accelerating or cruising.

Controls

GT, auto.	Class Average
6	5.9

Mostly logical control placement. Gauges have indistinct markings and for some, may be recessed too far into the dashboard for easy reading. Cabin has sporty appearance with nicely textured materials, faux carbon fiber trim.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

GT, auto.	Class Average
5	5.6

Average for the class. Seats generally supportive, have generous rearward travel to accommodate tall drivers. Visibility fine to sides, but rear spoiler, high deck partially obstructs view directly astern.

Room/Comfort (rear)

GT, auto.	Class Average
2	4

Front passenger seat slides forward, but access requires contortions. Once back there, space is tight even for medium-size adults.

Cargo Room

GT, auto.	Class Average
3	4.8

Usefully shaped trunk with good room that's expandable via folding rear seatbacks. Trunk opening too small to accept bulky items. Interior storage limited to average-size glovebox, small center console, door pockets.

Value within Class

GT, auto.	Class Average
5	6

Like the Chevrolet Cobalt with which it shares its basic design, G5 is a reasonably priced compact car with decent handling response and interior design. But a coarse engine and lackluster acceleration even in the top-line model betray its sporty intentions. Lack of a 4-dr body style further limits G5's appeal vs. the class leaders.

Total Score

GT, auto.	Class Average
48	52.9

Scores for all Compact Cars

Low Score		42
Average Score		52
High Score		60

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2007 Pontiac G5 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 04/16/2007

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 2-door coupe	$14,775	$13,962	$615

GT 2-door coupe	$18,425	$17,412	$615

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

Model	Rebate & Incentives	Type	Expires

G5	$1750 cash back or 0%-6.9% financing.	Customer	06/02/08

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

2.2-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission.

Safety

Dual front airbags, emergency inside trunklid release, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Air conditioning, interior air filter, power steering, tilt steering wheel, cloth upholstery, front bucket seats w/height-adjustable driver seat, center console, cupholders, split folding rear seat w/trunk pass-through, power mirrors, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, AM/FM/CD player, digital-media connection, digital clock, tachometer, outside-temperature indicator, variable-intermittent wipers, visor mirrors, rear defogger, automatic headlights, floormats.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear spoiler, 195/60R15 tires, wheel covers.

GT adds to Base:

Powertrain

2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine.

Safety

Antilock 4-wheel disc brakes.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, cruise control, Pioneer sound system.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Fog lights, sport suspension, 205/50R17 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Preferred Pkg.
Base	$1,395	$1,228
Antilock brakes, traction control (automatic), cruise control, satellite radio, cargo net, bodyside moldings, 205/55R16 tires, unique wheel covers.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$550	$484
Leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, fog lights, chrome exhaust tips, alloy wheels. Requires Preferred Pkg.

Premium Pkg.
Base	$990	$871
Base w/Sun and Sound Pkg.	$695	$612
Leather upholstery, heated front seats, Pioneer sound system. Requires Sport Pkg.

Security Pkg.
Base	$1,490	$1,311
Base w/Preferred Pkg.	$1,090	$959
Curtain side airbags, front side airbags, antilock brakes, traction control (automatic), OnStar assistance system w/one year service.

Sun and Sound Pkg.
Base	$995	$876
Power sunroof, Pioneer sound system.

Powertrain
4-speed automatic transmission
Base, GT	$850	$748
GT includes traction control.

Safety
Curtain side airbags
GT	$395	$348
Includes front side airbags.

Antilock brakes
Base	$400	$352
Includes traction control when ordered w/4-speed automatic transmission.

Comfort and Convenience Features
OnStar assistance system
GT	$695	$612
Includes one year service. Requires curtain side airbags.

Power sunroof
GT	$750	$660


Leather upholstery
GT	$695	$612
Includes heated front seats.

AM/FM radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer
Base, GT	$295	$260


Pioneer sound system
Base	$295	$260


Satellite radio
Base, GT	$199	$175


Remote engine start
Base, GT	$190	$167
Requires 4-speed automatic transmission.

Smoker's Pkg.
Base, GT	$15	$13
Ash tray, lighter.

Appearance and Miscellaneous
Engine-block heater
Base, GT	$50	$44


Special paint
Base, GT	$295	$260

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2007 Pontiac G5 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Pontiac G5 2-door coupe

Wheelbase, in.	103.5

Overall Length, in.	179.8

Overall Width, in.	67.5

Overall Height, in.	55.7

Curb Weight, lbs.	2991

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	13.9

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	13.2

Seating Capacity	5

Front Head Room, in.	38.1

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	42.0

Rear Head Room, in.	35.7

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	32.2

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

Engines

	dohc I4	dohc I4

Size, liters/cu. in.	2.2 /134	2.4 /145

Horsepower @ rpm.	148 @ 5600	173 @ 6200

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	152 @ 4200	163 @ 4800

Availability	Standard	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed manual	25/34	25/34

4-speed automatic	24/32	24/32

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 G5 2-door coupe

Front Impact, Driver	4

Front Impact, Passenger	5

Rollover Resistance	4

Side Impact, Driver	4

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	5/100,000	--

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

Corrosion	6/100,000	--

Free roadside assistance	5/100,000	--

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

< 2007 Pontiac G5 Photos

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Also in the 2007 Pontiac G5 Review:

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Pontiac G5 Road Test

Pontiac G5 Prices & Equipment

Pontiac G5 Specs & Safety

Pontiac G5 Photos

Pontiac G5 Full Review