The G5 trails the majority of the small car class when it comes to comfort, quality and performance. Take the Mazda3 for a test drive if you're looking for the sportiness previously associated with Pontiac. The 3 also has good cabin comfort and a stronger reputation for quality than the G5.
All in all, reviewers find the 2011 Pontiac G5 does a good impersonation of a sporty coupe, but issues with its underpowered engine and less than luxurious interior keep it from earning any real street cred. There are plenty of other small cars with more sportiness, greater cabin comfort, and more exciting performance.
The G5 changed very little from the 2010 model year, but Pontiac did drop the GT trim's sportier engine and added variable valve timing to the base -- and now sole -- four cylinder engine. For several months the fate of General Motors and by extension, Pontiac, has been uncertain as the scope of the government auto bailout has taken shape. However, GM has now announced its intention to phase out the Pontiac brand by the end of next year. The Pontiac Vibe is the only car scheduled to be released as a 2011 model. You could find a fantastic deal on a G5 right now as the automaker prepares to clear its inventory.
If you're considering purchasing a Pontiac G5 or already own one, rest assured that your warranty will be honored at the remaining General Motors dealerships. The G5 shares a platform and many mechanical components with the Chevy Cobalt and upcoming Chevy Cruze.
Inside the Pontiac G5 is a nice cabin. We found the cloth material on the seats quite handsome. There is plenty of legroom for two people up front. The driver's seat is adjustable for height. However, it seems to work better for raising short drivers than it does lowering down to add headroom for taller folks. The problem is that when the seat is lowered all the way to accommodate a tall driver, the seat cushion tilts a bit forward. So the G5 is better for people of average or shorter stature than it is for those who are tall.
Leather seats are optional and, on the GT, are available in Ebony or the new-for-2009 Ebony/Red combination.
All the controls are easy to find and use but there is a shortage of storage bins and trays.
The back seat is barely suitable for a six-foot adult for a short trip across town. It is an excellent location, however, for parcels.
Like many coupes, which favor a low roof as they go for a streamlined look, the G5 has somewhat narrow windows. Some people like that because it makes them feel as secure as a turtle in a shell. Others find it slightly confining. One problem is poor visibility over the driver's left shoulder. Big roof pillars and a small rear window combine to make it hard to see vehicles coming up to pass.
OnStar is a nice security blanket. This option combines a global positioning system and a cellular telephone (far more powerful than a hand-held cell phone) to put the driver in contact with an OnStar center. Manned 24/7, the OnStar center can tell where the vehicle is located and can provide help, ranging from a calling a tow truck to providing directions when you are lost. In case of a crash severe enough to deploy the airbags the system will automatically call the center so help can be sent even if the occupants are incapacitated.
We liked the optional sunroof. On some cars the sunroof tends to scoop outside air and funnel it into the vehicle as if attempting to duplicate the tornado from The Wizard of Oz. That is not the case with the G5. There is so little turbulence it is possible to open the sunroof on a 20-degree day and enjoy the sunlight without freezing, with the heater turned up.
The trunk is rated at 13.9 cubic feet which is competitive in this segment. The rear seat can be folded down for carrying more cargo.
The G5 ($16,275) comes with air conditioning; power windows, mirrors, and door locks with remote/keyless entry; tilt steering; four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio; 60/40 split-folding back seat; height-adjustable driver's seat; and 195/60R15 low-rolling-resistance tires on 15-inch steel wheels. OnStar and XM Satellite Radio are also standard. The standard suspension, called FE1, is tuned for a smooth ride. Brakes are discs in front, drums in the rear.
G5 options: The Sun & Sound Package ($995) combines a sunroof with a seven-speaker Pioneer audio system. MyLink ($995) combines one year of OnStar Directions & Connections with 16-inch machined aluminum wheels, 205/55R16 touring tires, ABS, cruise control, auxiliary USB audio port, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. The Appearance Package ($295) adds body-color side moldings, a trunk cargo net, a chrome exhaust tip, and fog lamps.
The G5 GT ($19,575) upgrades with StabiliTrak electronic stability control, four-wheel-disc brakes with anti-lock (ABS), FE3 sport suspension, and 17-inch aluminum wheels wearing summer performance tires. The GT also adds heated seats, cruise control, foglamps, the seven-speaker stereo, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, audio and cruise controls on the steering wheel, and a chrome-tipped exhaust.
Options for both models include a sunroof ($750), USB input ($100), leather seats with front seat heaters ($795), engine block heater ($75), and remote starter ($190). A cigarette lighter and ashtray are available ($40). The seven-speaker stereo ($295), ABS ($400), and cruise control ($275) are available for the base model.
Safety features include dual-stage frontal air bags (now with a passenger sensor) and front seat belts with pretensioners (in a crash these remove the slack). Always wear those seat belts because they are your most important line of defense in a crash. Anti-lock brakes (ABS), standard on GT and optional on the base model, can help drivers avoid accidents by allowing them to maintain control of the steering at maximum braking effort. We recommend getting ABS.
The standard OnStar service includes the General Motors Advanced Automatic Crash Notification (AACN) system, which makes crash data available to participating 911 centers, to help them dispatch the appropriate life-saving personnel and equipment to crash scenes faster. Also available is OnStar's Vehicle Diagnostics notification system that allows subscribers to receive free monthly reports via E-mail. Each diagnostic report provides information on the remaining life of the engine oil, as well as tire pressures and checks on the engine and transmission, emissions controls, braking systems, and air bags. OnStar is highly useful for navigation and we've found the OnStar operators friendly and helpful.
All Pontiac G5 models are propelled by a 2.2-liter inline-4 that produces a respectable 155 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. For both variants, the front wheels are driven by a standard five-speed manual transmission with an option for a four-speed automatic.
As expected from any entry-level compact sport coupe, performance is far from inspiring -- but for that sacrifice, you get very good fuel economy. The base G5 XFE with the five-speed manual and 15-inch wheels achieves a best-in-class 25 mpg city/37 mpg highway and 30 mpg combined. Opting for larger wheels or the four-speed auto drops those numbers, particularly the highway figure, with an auto-equipped G5 GT with 17-inch wheels achieving 23 city/32 highway and 26 combined.
Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are available as an option for the base Pontiac G5 and come standard with the GT. Full-length side curtain airbags are standard on both models, and the addition of a passenger-sensing system for 2009 improves front airbag deployment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration awarded the 2009 Pontiac G5 a four-star (out of five) crash rating for driver protection in head-on collisions. It earned five stars for front passenger protection. In side-impact testing, both front and rear passenger protection earned it four stars.
Driving Impressions
While the 2009 Pontiac G5 offers enough power for the average commuter, handling will most likely disappoint, particularly on the base model. An abundance of body roll and numb steering limit the driver's overall connection to the car -- but to the G5's credit, the ride is both smooth and quiet. In the sport-coupe segment, which leans towards driving enjoyment, the G5 trails far behind the competition.
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