Automotive Journal

Seeing the Solstice on the show room floor, you’ll want to jump right in and take off. The Pontiac Solstice adds up near superhero power, plenty of options, and looks that cause people to gap open mouthed. One needs to go back into the time machine until the 1959 Bonneville to refer back to any other worthy Pontiac split-screen. This car challenges the BMW Z4 and Audi TT at half the price.

Option-wise, the Solstice comes in two trims, the base package and the GXP. The basic package comes with a 173 horse power, 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine that still turns in respectable gas mileage. The souped-up GXP package takes 260 hour power turbocharged engine into a 2.0 liter four-cylinder engine. Both of these engines are clamped onto the five speed manual or automatic transmission. The base model does include electronic traction and stability control, limited slip rear differential, anti-lock disc brakes all the way around the car, generous 18-inch alloy wheels, and crisp satellite radio. If the base package isn’t enough, the GXP then adds dual exhaust tips, a faster responding transmission, leather to the steering wheel and shift knob, and plush carpeted floor mats. After the GXP package, the most popular Solstice add-ons are fog lights, grill enhancements, and a critical Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector.

While there’s much to enjoy for the Solstice, it’s not without some draw backs. The steering is not crisp. The Solstice tips the scale at over 3000 pounds, so being quick-and-lite is not upon the abilities of this car. Also, when zipping out of curves, the Solstice is sticky. Coming off the line, the acceleration can be a bit lethargic. This car wouldn’t make a passing grade in ergonomics, with components illogically positioned and plastic components littering the interior. Trunk space storage is only adequate. Finally, with the top down, without a Pontiac Solstice windscreen windblocker wind deflector (also check out convertible windscreen reviews for others), you will be drowned out by the turbulence and backwind.

Certainly the Solstice has some nits, which are made up for by its body style. Pontiac isn’t known for head-turning styling; with the Solstice, they finally turn the tide. The Solstice has aggressive styling that’s a bit of a mash-up between a Jaguar and the Bat Mobile. People walking by will turn their heads and check your car out. The merits of this car decidedly weigh on the plus side. Those looking for top-down driving excitement will certainly be pleased with this choice.

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