2007 Pontiac G5

Pontiac has long been the sporty division of General Motors, though recent models have tended to be tamer than in the past. Body-sharing between Chevrolet and Pontiac is nothing new, either. So, it's no surprise that Pontiac's new entry-level G5 compact coupe is closely related to the Chevrolet Cobalt.

Styling

Not identical, though, because Cobalt comes as a coupe or sedan, while Pontiac's G5 is coupe-only. Offered in base or GT trim, the five-passenger, front-wheel-drive G5 features familiar (if shrunken) Pontiac styling, led by a twin-port grille, with a standard spoiler at the rear. Built on GM's global small-car platform, the G5 competes against the two-door Honda Civic, Ford Focus ZX3, Scion tC, and Mazda3. With its more potent powertrain, the GT edition also rivals Volkswagen's GTI.


In base form, the G5 contains a 148-horsepower, 2.2-liter Ecotec dual-overhead-cam four-cylinder engine. Stepping up to a GT brings a 2.4-liter four-cylinder with variable valve timing that makes 173 horsepower at 6200 rpm and 163 pound-feet of torque. Premium gasoline is recommended for the GT's engine, but not required.


Both models give you the choice of the standard a Getrag five-speed manual gearbox or available four-speed automatic transmission, which is "filled for life" with fluid. All-disc antilock braking is installed on the GT, but it's a $400 option for the base G5.


Suspension differences between the two models are designed to yield distinct road behavior. The base model's premium-ride FE1 suspension, tuned for smoothness, includes front and rear stabilizer bars and 15-inch wheels. Pontiac promises that the GT's FE3 sport-tuned suspension delivers a firmer, more direct ride with its thicker stabilizer bars, plus performance tires on 17-inch painted aluminum wheels. GTs also feature sport rocker moldings, foglamps, a chrome exhaust tip, cruise control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, leather-wrapped shift knob, and a cargo net.