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Midsize car; Built in Canada
  • 4-door sedan
  • transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive
Good condition price range: $4,200 – $12,700*


2005 Pontiac Grand Prix


2006 Pontiac Grand Prix


2004 Pontiac Grand Prix


2004 Pontiac Grand Prix

Pros:
  • Acceleration (GT, GPX)
  • Interior storage space
  • Steering/handling
Cons:
  • Rear-seat comfort

It trails our top-rated Honda Accord and Toyota Camry for interior quality, and rear-seat comfort is subpar. Still, Grand Prix appeals for its good performance, comfortable ride, cargo versatility, and plenty of features at competitive prices. The potent GXP is worth a look for shoppers who value power and expressive styling above all else.

Overview

Freshened styling and more available power marked the 2004 revamp of Pontiac’s midsize car. Grand Prix continued as a five-passenger 4-dr sedan with front-wheel drive and V6 power. Wheelbase was unchanged, but the new body was slightly longer. Rear leg room increased about a half inch, rear head room shrunk about the same. The lineup consisted of base GT1, better-equipped GT2, and top-line GTP models, the last highlighted by a new Competition Group performance option. GTs continued with a 200-hp V6. GTPs got a supercharged version with 260 hp, up 20 hp from last year. A 4-speed automatic remained the sole transmission, though the GTP’s Comp G package featured Pontiac’s new TAPshift that allows manual-shift control via paddles on the steering wheel. It also included a performance-tuned suspension and antiskid system. All models had 4-wheel disc brakes. ABS and traction control were optional on GT1, standard on other models. Interior revisions included new materials and a new dashboard. Curtain side airbags were optional on GT2 and GTP, unavailable on GT1. Front side airbags were not offered. OnStar assistance, head-up instrument display, and satellite radio were available.

Yearly Updates

2005 Grand Prix
Pontiac shuffled trim levels, added a V8 engine, and made OnStar assistance standard for 2005. Base and GT replaced GT1 and GT2. The new GXP received a 303-hp V8, making it the most powerful front-wheel drive vehicle in North America.
2006 Grand Prix
The supercharged GTP model was dropped. The GT filled that vacancy, leaving only the base model offering the 200-hp V6.
2007 Grand Prix
Changes for 2007 included a standard power driver seat on all models. Leather/suede upholstery, heated front seats, and a fold-flat front passenger seat were now standard instead of optional on GXP.
2008 Grand Prix
The 2008 Pontiac Grand Prix lost a trim level and its supercharged engine. The mid-level GT trim with its supercharged engine was discontinued for 2008.

Engines

transverse front-engine/front-wheel drive

While model designations for Grand Prix may have changed, the powertrain options did not. Base models had a 200-hp, 3.8-liter V6. A 260-hp supercharged 3.8-liter V6 was standard on GTs. The top-line GXP had a 303-hp 5.3-liter V8. All Grand Prixs used a 4-speed automatic transmission. The mid-level GT trim with its supercharged engine was discontinued for 2008.

ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 200
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 230
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 20/30

 19.0
Supercharged ohv V6
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 3.8/231
Engine HP 260
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 280
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/28

 17.1
ohv V8
Engine Size (liters/cubic inches) 5.3/325
Engine HP 303
Engine Torque (lb-ft) 323
Avail. Trans. EPA MPG (city/hwy) MPG avg. as tested
4-speed automatic

 18/28

 15.3

Road Test

V6 models provide ample power for everyday use. The supercharged version is muscular, as is the V8. GXP’s TAPshift enhances performance more than similar systems, but the paddles are hard to reach with thumbs.

Supercharged Grand Prixs GTs averaged 17.1-19.0 mpg in our tests. A GXP averaged 15.3. Pontiac recommends premium-grade fuel for these models, and 200-hp versions use regular.

All Grand Prixs ride well. GT and GXP are the sportiest but never feel harsh. Base models are softer, with testers noting some float at highway speeds. Credit responsive steering and a wide front track for Grand Prix’s composed, balanced handling. That wide track, though, contributes to a large turning radius, which hurts low-speed maneuverability. The brakes provide good stopping power despite numb pedal action.

These sedans do a good job of quelling wind noise. The GXP’s low-profile 18-inch tires slap on sharp pavement joints, but it compensates by offering a throaty but refined engine note.

Grand Prix’s interior pleases for its easy-to-use controls and ample front-seat leg room. That pleasure is quickly dulled by materials quality that trails rivals like the Honda Accord and even the upstart Hyundai Sonata. The rear seat also disappoints with its uncomfortably hard seatback and poor thigh support. Cargo space is about average for the class, but the available fold-flat front passenger seatback is helpful for hauling longer items.

Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Pontiac Grand Prix base sedan

Ratings values are on a 1-10 scale, with 10 being the best. With the exception of Value, these numbers reflect how the vehicle compares against the universe of vehicles, not just against rivals in its class.

Performance

Acceleration - 6
60%
Fuel Economy - 5
50%
Ride Quality - 7
70%
Steering/Handling - 7
70%
Quietness - 7
70%

Accommodations

Controls/Materials - 5
50%
Room/Comfort Front - 7
70%
Room/Comfort Rear - 3
30%
Cargo Room - 5
50%

Other

Value - 6
60%

Total: 58

Specifications

4-door sedan
Wheelbase (in.) Length (in.) Width (in.) Height (in.) Weight (lbs)
110.5 198.3 73.8 55.9
Cargo Volume (cu/ft) Payload Capacity (cu/ft) Fuel Capacity (gal.) Seating Capacity
16.0 17.0 5.0
Headroom Legroom
Front Rear Front Rear
38.5 36.5 42.4 36.5
Safety Ratings

Model Tested: 2005 Grand Prix 4-door sedan

NHTSA

(5 is the highest rating)

Front Impact Test

Driver Injury - 5
100%
Front Passenger Injury - 4
80%

Side Impact Test

Driver Injury - N/A
N/A0%
Rear Passenger Injury - N/A
N/A0%

HLDI

(A score of 100 is average. Lower is better)

Collision N/A
Injury N/A
Theft N/A

Trouble Spots

Brakes
Description: The front brakes may get noisy in stop-and-go traffic because a film develops on the brake rotor. Redesigned brake pads eliminate the problem by continually scraping the film away. (2005)
Fuel gauge
Description: The engine may not start or may stall because the tank is empty yet the gauge shows fuel remaining, or the fuel gauge will not show full after refilling due to sulfur corrosion of the fuel level sender and if after treating with Fuel System Cleaner PLUS the problem remains, the sender may need to be replaced. (2004-06)
Fuel gauge
Description: Noises from the rear of the car when there is about a quarter-tank or less of gas are due to the fuel pump pulling in air and there is a redesigned pump to fix this. (2005)
Oil leak
Description: An oil leak at the oil pressure sensor may cause the low oil light to come on and oil level to become low. (2006-07)
Audio system
Description: Radio reception may be poor or have static because the rear window defogger may have invisible cracks in the grid lines. (2004-05)
Steering noise
Description: There may be a clunk in the steering that can be felt and heard during slow speed turns due to a problem with the steering intermediate shaft which must be replaced. (2004-07)
Water leak
Description: Water may leak from the A-pillar (between windshield and door) due to a seam that was not properly sealed or onto the floor from the fresh air intake grille (2005) or the water deflector under the cowl needs to be replaced with an improved component. (2004-05)
Windshield washer
Description: Windshield washers may not work properly due to problem with hose routing, Y-fitting or pinches. (2005–07)
Electrical problem
Description: The PCM was being replaced for a defective chip under a voluntary emissions recall because it affected the fuel pump and EGR system. (2005)
Electrical problem
Description: If the OnStar system quits or won’t come on (no power), but comes back to life if the fuse is removed for five minutes, the vehicle communications interface module must be replaced or else the problem will recur. (2005-06)
Electrical problem
Description: When using a portable music player (e.g. iPod) there may be noise in the car’s speakers whenever the vehicle’s power adapter is used and a ground loop isolator (from Radio Shack) is required between the device and the power outlet to prevent the noise. (2004-07)
Transmission problems
Description: Transmission (4T65-E) may lack reverse, may slip in reverse due to loose bolt in valve body, which must be retightened along with replacement of the channel plate gasket. (2003-04)

Recall History

2004 Grand Prix
Description: Some vehicles may have accelerator pedal springs that could fail in cold-weather conditions, causing the engine to be slow when returning to idle. Dealer will replace accelerator pedal assembly.
2004 Grand Prix
Description: Front frame rear body mount bracket may fracture, causing a loss of steering control. Dealers will inspect and replace the front frame, if necessary.
2004 Grand Prix
Description: Some vehicles may have improper torque, reducing control of the vehicle. Dealers will inspect and repair.
2007
Description: The fuel tank is missing the adhesive layer that bonds the barrier layer to the outer shell of the fuel tank. With this condition, fuel and/or fuel vapors could seep out between the layers, increasing the risk of a fire. Dealers will inspect the serial number on the fuel tank and replace the fuel tank if necessary.

Equipment Lists

Equipment lists are only viewable on larger screen sizes.

Pricing

Used-car pricing varies widely depending on local market conditions. Therefore, we recommend visiting websites that list used cars for sale to get a better idea of what a specific model is selling for in your area.

More about Tom Appel
Written by: Tom Appel on July 24, 2014.
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