Used 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix

Until the arrival of the eagerly-anticipated G8, the Grand Prix takes top billing as Pontiac’s largest and most sophisticated sedan. Despite tough competition from the HEMI-powered Dodge Charger, the V8-powered Grand Prix has held its ground, and the V6-powered models also stack up well when compared to rivals from Nissan, Volkswagen and Mazda. With a growing number of enthusiasts returning to rear-wheel-drive, the front-wheel-drive Grand Prix has its fair share of vocal detractors, but few, however, can complain about the car’s impressive fuel economy, even when equipped with the optional 303-horsepower V8 engine, or the noteworthy list of available features, such as the GXP’s standard Head-Up Display.

The 200-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6 engine of the base model provides fairly strong off-the-line acceleration and passing power. Adding the optional 17-inch wheel-and-tire package gives the Grand Prix good reflexes while still delivering a smooth and quiet ride. More aggressive handling (not to mention pin-you-to-your-seat acceleration) comes with the V8-powered GXP, which feels so connected to the road you might easily be fooled into thinking it has all-wheel drive. It doesn’t, of course, but for a front-drive sedan of this size and performance level the handling is remarkably good.

The Grand Prix’s dash is playful, with overlapping folds, large round air vents and prominent red lighting. The steering wheel on the GXP has an additional set of touch paddles (GM calls this TAPshift – Touch Activated Power) that allow the driver to manually shift gears using only his or her thumbs. Rear-seat passengers may feel a bit boxed-in, as the high upswept beltline results in smaller windows that limit outward vision, and low rear-seat bottom cushions had our taller passengers riding with their knees uncomfortably high.

The first thing you notice about the Grand Prix is its clean, uncluttered exterior. While the swooping lines, familiar split grille and cat’s-eye headlamps are still in place, the heavy tacked-on body cladding that once plastered every Pontiac with sporting intentions has finally been banished. The large wheels eliminate the unsightly gap that can make a car look like it’s riding on tires that are too small.

TAPshift
The GXP package adds Pontiac’s TAPshift paddle shifter to the steering wheel.

Fold-Flat Front Seat
The Grand Prix’s fold-flat front seat lets you load relatively long cargo.

The Grand Prix has a four-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, a tire pressure monitor, air conditioning, rear defroster, six-way power driver’s seat, power windows, power locks, power mirrors, remote keyless entry, AM/FM stereo with CD, one year of OnStar, tilt wheel, cruise control and 16-inch wheels. The GXP adds a Head-Up Display, two-way power driver lumbar support, Monsoon Audio with nine speakers, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), StabiliTrak stability control, Bilstein shock absorbers and 18-inch alloy wheels.

Options include anti-lock brakes (ABS), trip computer, fog lights, flat-folding front passenger seat, Monsoon sound system, navigation, XM Satellite Radio, power glass sunroof, stainless steel exhaust tips, head-curtain airbags, leather seats and automatic air conditioning.

The Grand Prix offers two very good powerplants. The base car’s 3.8-liter engine has plenty of low-end torque to allow for speedy intersection crossings. The V8-powered GXP is the true performer here, turning out over 300 horsepower while its Active Fuel Management (AFM) helps deliver highway fuel economy figures better than some V6s. AFM works by cutting fuel to four of the eight cylinders when the engine is under a lighter load. The instant full power is needed, the system brings the deactivated cylinders back into action.

3.8-liter V6
200 horsepower @ 5200 rpm
230 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4000 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 18/28

5.3-liter V8
303 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
323 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4400 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 16/25