Driving Impressions

The Pontiac G6 GT is fun to drive and quite pleasant for cruising around. We found the sedan, coupe and convertible models reasonably quiet, though a little noise from the powertrain and some road noise slipped in here and there, and there was some wind noise from the sharp-edged mirror bodies. Handling is responsive and fun. The GT suspension strikes a good balance between handling and ride quality. The ride is comfortable and smooth and the car tracks well. The base model's electric power steering is nicely weighted in terms of effort at the steering wheel rim, but a little vague in fast transitions. The EcoTec four-cylinder engine is from the same double overhead-cam engine family used in the Saab 9-3, Opel Vectra and Chevrolet Malibu. The 2.4-liter four is rated 164 horsepower, with 156 pound-feet of torque. With the standard four-speed automatic transmission, this combination is EPA-rated at 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway. But opt for Sport Package 1 with the six-speed automatic, and the highway rating jumps 10 percent, to 33 mpg, while the city rating remains the same. Mostly this is because the six-speed comes with a significantly taller final drive ratio (2.89:1, vs. 3.91 with the four-speed), which means the engine can loaf at lower rpm in high gear. By itself, the numerically lower final drive would compromise acceleration; but the two additional low gears in the six-speed box should compensate for the high gear at the top, resulting in no net loss of performance. Both automatic transmissions work flawlessly. The four-speed automatic is matched well to the engine's power and torque bands. The six-speed works better. Most of the time, we simply put it in Drive and drove. However, the six-speed features a simple manual-control mechanism that allows the driver to shift manually. When the manual mode is selected, it will not automatically upshift for you at redline but will go right up against the rev limiter, a strategy many enthusiasts prefer. An indicator light in the instrument panel helps remind you to shift. The popular 3.5-liter V6 is quiet and smooth, producing 221 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque. GM has refined this overhead-valve engine, and even updated it with continuously variable valve timing. It's relatively smooth and quiet, with decent fuel economy: 17/26 mpg city/highway in the G6 GT. The more powerful 3.6-liter engine that comes in the GXP is a modern, all-aluminum dual overhead-cam unit with four valves per cylinder. It also features variable-valve timing, and is rated at 252 hp and 251 pound-feet of torque, with fuel economy identical to the less-powerful 3.5. Optional for the GT convertible only is a 3.9-liter V6. Like the 3.5, this is an older-style two-valve-per-cylinder pushrod unit updated with variable valve timing. It's rated only 222 horsepower, for all practical purposes the same as the 3.5; but with about 8 percent more torque (238 pound feet) it should deliver somewhat snappier acceleration. We did a number of 90-0 mph ABS panic stops in a G6 GT on a deserted country road, and it stopped straight and true every time with no fade. The brakes have a nice, progressive power application through the pedal.

Final Word

The Pontiac G6 is a roomy car that offers good road manners and excellent overall function, especially at initial prices. With sedans, coupes, convertibles, high-performance models, and a low-price leader all available, buyers should be able to find a G6 that suits their lifestyle. NewCarTestDrive.com correspondent Jim McCraw reported on the sedan from Detroit, with Mitch McCullough reporting on the coupe and convertible from Los Angeles, and John F. Katz reporting on new engine/transmission combinations from South Central Pennsylvania.