Up Close: 2009.5 Pontiac G6

Pontiac has restyled the exterior and interior of its G6 midsize car, and we had a chance to check it out for the first time at the Los Angeles auto show.

The restyled grille and front bumper are more aggressive-looking and have more mesh-covered vents. Pontiac says the styling was inspired by the automaker's flagship G8 sedan, and the resemblance is there.

Interior changes include new graphics for the gauges. The G6 also gains GM's center control panel for the audio and climate systems, and the new layout is an improvement over what was there previously.

The changes take the G6 in the direction it needs to go, but there are still nicer midsize cars available, including GM's own Chevrolet Malibu. The updated G6 hits dealerships in January with a starting price of $19,945 for the base sedan. The coupe, meanwhile, starts at $22,890, and the retractable-hardtop convertible is priced at $32,970.

More photos below.

Comments

[Mike S.]

It's a pity GM didn't see fit to relieve the G6 GXP of that hideous upper grille.

[Tony]

It think, I saw this car... 15 years ago...

does anybody really care about this car?? Maybe Hertz.....Avis.....

[kj]

Quick, someone give GM some bail-out money so they can better redesign the G6. Looking at these photos this car already looks old.

Yawn!

It's just a midcycle refresh. If it were a brand new model I would lay into it too, but seeing that it's a five year old car I think they did a pretty good job.

[J]

kj,

If they want to have some bailout money, they wouldn't put out some product only rental companies wanted.

reminds me alot of when the 1999 Grand Am came out!!!

[Liger]

It doesn't look like much was changed on the outside. The new gauges and radio make the interior a nicer place to be I guess.

In my opinion, this is one of the nicest looking midsize rental cars available. The GXP looks way overdone though. And yes, they have the GXP available for rental.

[Jay]

It looks ok for a refresh but I think they should have at least changed the interior a little to make it stand out.

At least it's less generic than the Camry.

At least the Camry comes from a company not going bankrupt!

[KJ]

Yeah, and also less reliable than the Camry.

the a/c switches r the same as Malibu now, two nice looking ones & one reallly cheap looking knob!! I prefer the GXP grille!

I don't know, I think I would take a G6 over a Camry if I were in the market for a midsized sedan. Of course I'm younger, so the sportier car is more appealing.

[GR]

The GXP looks like Bugs Bunny.

[Brad]

GM is going to rename it the Pontiac Cashback. GM is the master to turning out junk.

No, that's Chrysler

[Jamarr]

"It's just a midcycle refresh. If it were a brand new model I would lay into it too, but seeing that it's a five year old car I think they did a pretty good job."

A mid-cycle refresh after five years? Shameful.

[J]

Jamarr,

At least they are refreshing it.

We still have the same old Focus from 1999!

[Bloke]

J, yet again, what are you talking about? There was not a 1999 Focus. An even then, Ford has refreshed the focus at least twice since 2000. Where do you come from with your nonsense?

[cody]

i really don't see a lot of change here. other than the grill, it's hard to spot.

personally, i liked the old lower grill. it was unique to pontiac in a good way and fit into the styling of the car. this one seems to just copy what everyone else is doing (the current fad).

as for the interior, they should have done more. it never was bad, but it wasn't good. kind of a dark dungeon. they should have spent some money to make it at least as nicely appointed as the malibu or aura...oh well. guess it wasn't a priority.

[J]

Bloke,

The Focus is still on the same old platform and nothing major mechanically had been updated since 1999 for a 2000 model. Refreshed never equals to redesign.
Its competition had been redesign at least once if not twice during the same time.

Putting lipstick on a pig does not change the fact that it is still a pig. Refreshing the look of a car without mechanical updates is the same story.

[Bloke]

J, what? Again what are you talking about? There was not a 1999 Focus. You said the G6 was refreshed, how are the things that have been done to the Focus not a refresh?

And the engine choices for the Focus have changed since it came out. Are you sure you know where you are at today?

[A normal person]

My only comment is that I personally like the new front fascia due to the fact that it looks a bit better when compared to the base of the older front fascia. The fog lights are easier to see and the lower part doesn't look as bland (even though I personally like both the older and this newer front fascia). The bumper did not change too much, but it fits with the new front fascia and the new spoiler makes for a very nice choice that keeps the swooping motion of the roofline going.

Personally, I don't see why every single site I go to seems to be filled with these people that post comments only to bash the car without saying anything that they see inherently wrong with the vehicle. I am betting that 90% of the people posting bash comments (and then checking back here often enough to counter any positives and have arguments) are the people that have older vehicles that they do not enjoy any longer. They likely cannot afford some of the nicer vehicles and feel the need to bash any vehicle that is not the one they own in order to make themselves feel better about their own personal choice.

In my opinion, people need to grow up and realize that regardless of what your own opinion is, you should only say negatives about something if you have proof, evidence, or ideas to support your argument. Otherwise, you simply come off as a fool.

I don't know why everyone hates the grill on the GXP so much, I love it, bought one, and it gets a lot of looks everywhere I go.

I don't know why everyone hates the grill on the GXP so much, I love it, bought one, and it gets a lot of looks everywhere I go.

I don't know why everyone hates the grill on the GXP so much, I love it, bought one, and it gets a lot of looks everywhere I go.

[joe]

not bad. grill is ugly. better looking then the new accord sedan IMO

[GV]

this car looks like cheap crap i would never buy a car with such and outdated interoir and exterior