Pontiac G5 GT: First Drive

Pontiac dealers are happy they now have an entry-level car offering in the G5, and early sales have been brisk. But if there’s one thing we frown upon it’s when carmakers take one model — here the Chevrolet Cobalt — slap new emblems on the hood and trunk and call it a different car. The G5 does nothing the Cobalt doesn’t, it will just be sold in a different place. 

David Thomas: During one drive in the G5 with Kelsey we talked about how competitive this segment is and where the G5 would rank. Even in GT trim with a more powerful 173-hp engine, over the base 148 hp, the G5 offered paltry acceleration and lukewarm handling. My only surprise was the braking — there are discs on all four wheels — which made the finally-up-to-speed G5 slow down with nary a quiver. I just can’t see myself recommending a $17,795 G5 GT over competition like the Honda Civic, Mazda3 or even the Scion tC.

Comments

it still looks great though! its just ment to get young people into pontiac, thats why there is no 4 door version..anyway, now its even more appealing since GM upped the warranty, better than Mazda (who doesn't have a 2 door M3) Honda, or the bland scion...

I think nowadays 4-doors are no longer preventing young buyers from looking at vehicles like the Mazda 3. Regardless the G5 is not a real player in the segment, only with steep discounting will it rise to the top as a value pick.

Hey if n e one knows n e thing about the G5 GXP please let me know im a pontiac technichian and I would like to find some info on these. Are they fact or fiction?
~Evan Lavsa~
rmmasra125@hotmail.com

I'm a bit sick of all the "hipe" with the import car market...some clown saying that he can't recomend the pontiac g5 over a honda, mazda, or scion... a scion? what, is this guy blind?, I'm sorry but give me round and sleek over "Boxy" any day (looks like a freeking "bread delivery van") and what is so great about the new civic?, "same old, same old" exaggerated horse power output v-tec engine.(had some fun at the traffic light the other day toasting the new 185hp civic with my 176hp pontiac....hmm?)fewer standard features yet you pay hundreads more, and NO! I know what your thinking,I know lots of old junky sunfires that have well past the 250,000km mark and the engines still run fine, yes the 2.2/2.4 eco-tec motor + the Getrag transmission does last as long as a "v-tec". Don't even get me started with Mazada over complicated, overrefined, and a bank account nightmare to maintain when there is a repair....Take it from a guy that has owned very many compacts of all kinds this one is value for money, after 2 years, & too many km's of hard driving this "bloddy car" is standing up to my abuse, & givig the imports something to think about.

I bought my G5 GT a few days ago. I love this car, and I'm a guy that just gave up a Pontiac Grand Prix GTP (1997) that was modified by SLP with the Ram Air hood and exhaust system. This G5 is a wonderful car - it handles well, gets good gas mileage, and has plenty of power for me. The best part? It looks great with those 17" wheels and leather interior. Dual heated front seats sealed the deal for me.

I have not driven a G5, but I prefer its looks over a Colbalt any day. It does seem a bit expensive for what you get, so I would rather spend my money on a Mazda3. If I really wanted a coupe, I think the Scion tC would be a much better choice. (By the way, Brent, the Scion tC is sports coupe. The xB is the boxy one.)

I just took delivery of my new G5 GT and I love it.
The 176hp DOHC engine mated with the 5 speed Getrag trans. and the 17" Pirelli tires grip like velcro, corner like a madman. I did my research and could not find any car with the standard features that the G5 GT has. The 5year/100,000 mi. warranty sealed the deal for me.

I don't know what this reviewer has compared it to, but it's WAY better than the aformentioned civic's and the mazda 3's. Price wize it's less money, and has more HP. Every conceivable feature is included in the GT making it a clear winner. That being said I love my G5 GT.

THEY DONT KNOW THAT THIS CAR HAS A STRAIGHTER POWER CURVE, WITH MORE TORQUE. MAKE THE CAR BETTER OUT OF THE HOLE. THE ONLY CIVIC TOO COMPETE WHOULD BE THE SI. ALROUND I THINK THIS CAR LOOKS GREAT, WITH A GREAT VALUE, AND WARRANTY.

"the G5 offered paltry acceleration "
the g5 gt/cobalt ss got 2nd place in car and drivers quickest cars under 20k the only car faster was a mustang. Good job Team usa. The import competition get's the honerable mention taking every award from 3rd- 10nth. here's the list.
Second Place: The Quickest Cars of 2007: Less than $20,000: 2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS and Pontiac G5 GT
Introduction
Tenth Place: 2007 Subaru Impreza 2.5i
Ninth Place: 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS
Eighth Place: 2007 Honda Civic
Seventh Place: 2007 Hyundai Tiburon GT
Sixth Place: 2007 Honda Accord
Fifth Place: 2007 Scion tC
Fourth Place: 2007 Mazda 3 s
Third Place: 2007 Nissan Altima 2.5
First Place: 2007 Ford Mustang V-6
paltry acceleration? looks like the term honest journalism is becoming an oxymoron.

That guy don't have a damn clue about cars. I was very close to buying a regular 07 honda civic then I decided to look over at pontiac. Well as soon as I went for test drive in the g5 gt I was sold on it. The hp and tq are great and to top it off was the same price as a base civic with every option except sunroof and leather seats. Overall I'm very happy with my purchase.

Wow.

The people posting on this blog are complete idiots. Their grammar is bad, and they are offended that someone said that their car isn't as good as a honda or toyota (scion).

Their idea of a great car is heated seats and 176 hp.

The G5 probably isn't a bad car, but give me a Honda Civic or Mazda3 any day of the week over this warmed over Cobalt.

Can we all please allcome into the real world? I'm about to buy either a used 2007 Red Civic Ex w/10,000 miles for $15,800, or a new LX for same price - which is a great price, a GREAT price - or a 2007 G5 Black/black base, for $10,000, also w/10,000 mi. A new G5, with discounts, rebates and advertising budget is $12,000.
The price of these cars is not the window sticker MSRP. Get this straight, with some comparison shopping and common sense the G5 looses value initially, but if you buy smart it is 65% the price of the Civic. That is a major difference.
I can tell you also that I test drove both excessively. I bothered dealers no end with test drives. The Civic is the greater hoot. THe shifter is more snickable, the 1.8 is peppy as hell and it gets great mileage. The Civic is sculpted and modern and the two tiered information display is the way all cars should be. It is the benchmark, in my opinion.
But the G5 is a very, very cool car for 65% of the price. I wouldn't buy anything but the stick shift, and it's a little rubbery, but that's it. The Pontiac versiion comes with a nicer interior than the Cobalt, nicer upholstry and power windows and locks and mirrors are standard. THats pretty good. The Pontiac has a good base radio but even in the Civic EX, you don't get HD Radio.

I distinctly felt that the G5 suspension was more supportive and supple than the Civic, so pretty good. It is a GM car, and if you hate 'em, you hate 'em.

I own two other cars, a 1998 Malibu that I bought for $3000 w/100,000. It now has 150,000 mis. It is solid and great after normal maintenance. Maintenance is cheap. My 1995v Lexus LS400 came w/140,000 for $5,200. It is a nice car, but no more solid than the Malibu and much more expensive to maintain. Don't think for a minute that the Japanese cars are immune from costly repairs or normal wear and tear. They aren't. The GM cars are very solid and long lasting. THey are just a little less sculpted and somewhat lower tech, but they work fine.

I'm going to buy the G5. I don't want the higher payments. THat's really what makes you happy or sad with a car, whether you can make the payments with ease or you have to continually worry about them. If you've got the dosh, get the Civic, you'll love it. For the money, the G5 is a great looking, solid ride. Shop around for best price, and beat them up on it. Get the stick for fun and you can do anything on the street that your sporting instinct will allow with the G5. All this "handling" stuff is fine for the Indy 500 but very limited on the street. The G5 has a solid suspension. Same goes for the Ford Focus.

Just one or two more things. The Pontiac G5 is a Cobalt with the LT package included as standard equiptment. It includes power windows and locks and mirror, remote key unlock and better (black) upholstry. Although the suspension has a different name, FE1 rather than 'soft ride', I think they are the same.

Many of the comments relate to the G5 GT, which is going to be quite a bit more money than the base G5, or to a base car with an automatic transmission. In my opinion, the GT is a little too much money, and the automatic transmission robs too much power and fun.

The real value of either of these GM cars is in the base model, with rebates, discounts and even advertising money thrown in to advertise a loss leader. Used ones are a good value if you get a great deal below $9,500 for an '07.

But I'll tell you also, if you have more money to spend, there is a Mazda3 for you that is functionally a better car than these, to the extent that 'a better car' is a phrase that actually has meaning or relevancy.

I own a G5 GT and looked at the major imports, The heavier, lower HP TC has better acceleration? The lower HP Civic gets better gas milage but sporty, nah. The Mazda looked good but I wanted a coupe. BTW. Toyota had to "revise" the milage estimates on the TC, really didn't make it a winner in economy with a new high of 27 mpg hwy. My 2000 Grand Am gets that with 160,000 miles on it. I'll keep my little car, thanks.

The 2008 G5 GT does come in 4 door :)
I have one.