2005 Pontiac G6

The G6's longest-in-class wheelbase brings several advantages. Besides the supple ride and rear door glass that retracts all the way down, another is rear-seat legroom unusually ample for a car whose overall size is on the upper edge of "compact." As a result of this near-"full-size" wheelbase, which is shared with its roomy wagon-like Chevy cousin, Malibu MAXX, and the surprisingly spacious interior, the G6 sedan is EPA-classified as "midsize."


We enjoyed the comfortable, highly supportive seats in our test GT, along with easy-to-see, reach and operate controls, wide-opening doors and gas-strut-supported decklid for easy access to the interior and the sizeable trunk. One small but important feature is a second 12V outlet in the covered console box. One much less appreciated is interior lighting that you can't prevent from illuminating whether you want it to or not when you pull the key or open a door.

Zero to 60 comes up in a respectable eight seconds, while EPA estimated fuel economy is 21 mpg city, 29 highway.

To improve impact protection, the Epsilon architecture's safety cage construction has reinforcements in the rocker areas, front body hinge and roof pillars, plus a magnesium cross-car beam that ties the lower sections of the front A pillars together to help protect passengers in side-impact crashes. All seating positions have three-point safety belts, while the front outboard positions have belt pretensioners and load limiters to reduce peak chest impact during a crash. Dual-stage front airbags determine whether a crash is severe enough to trigger a deployment and if the primary amount of inflation is sufficient or a secondary stage is needed for a more severe collision. Side and head-curtain airbags are optional.


Our test GT sedan started at $23,300 and included $5,350 in options and a $625 destination charge. Subtracting a $1,000 "Total Package Savings" discount left a total of $28,275. Priciest among the options was a $3,145 Premium Value Package that included 17-in. chrome wheels, a 6-disc CD changer, OnStar communications and security system and a market-exclusive power Panoramic roof with four class panels that retract one over the other to create a near-convertible-like open air experience. A $1,365 Leather Package brought with it an excellent set of steering wheel controls, while front side and head-curtain air bags added $690 and GM's wonderful remote-start feature another (very reasonable) $150.


What will be the "next" G6? A sexy-svelte coupe is coming for 2006. Then—believe it—a retractable hardtop convertible, very likely the first ever in this size and price class. This first one is good enough in just about every way that we can't wait to experience those. (www.pontiac.com)