2009 Pontiac G8 GT: A Car Enthusiast's Opinion

The 2009 Pontiac G8 GT is an amazing vehicle at a very acceptable price point. But there are two other models besides the GT. The standard G8 sedan comes with a direct injected v6 engine with just a tad over 300 horsepower and a high quality chassis.

This is plenty for most people, but there's also the ultimate version, called the GXP. The Pontiac G8 GXP has over 400 horsepower and is a serious machine. But at a premium price with a gas guzzler tax, it is out of reach for many owners. Enthusiasts will most often choose the mid range model, the G8 GT. This setup has a reliable 361 horsepower, 385 foot pounds of torque and displacement on demand technology, which effectively shuts cylinders off when cruising, greatly increasing gas mileage.

Here are some interesting specifications on the G8 GT, gathered from Edmunds Inside Line:

Price Range: $28,250 - $37,610(Incidentally, Pontiac's own web page shows many certified G8's still for sale at reasonable prices)
Horsepower: 361
Torque:385
Drivetrain: Front Engine, Rear Wheel Drive, Independent Rear Suspension
0-60: 5.8
¼ mile:13.9
EPA average est. mileage: 18 combined

Owners of G8 GT's have done some testing and discovered over 30 miles per gallon on the highway with the displacement on demand activated. This is documented in a YouTube video. Edmunds Inside Line lavished the Pontiac G8 GT with well deserved praise. Accolades abound for this vehicle, but what about personal experience?

I drove a 2009 Pontiac G8 GT on a sunny Friday near the first day of spring. After starting the car, I was pleased to hear that the exhaust was not overly intrusive. Putting the window down lets you hear much better an exhaust note that tells you you are about to have yourself some fun. Comfortable and supportive heated leather seats make for a pleasant ride on the highway or in town.

Ergonomically, the interior is a work of art. Buttons are thoughtfully placed and the shifter falls readily to hand if you decide to shift the six speed automatic transmission yourself with the tap shift feature. Tap shift allows you to dictate how long the transmission holds a gear and what gear it is in. This gives the feel of a stick shift, but without the annoying clutching required for driving in traffic. This worked very well, but I did find the transmission had a tendency to hunt for the proper gear under light throttle.

The stereo is a very nice sounding Blaupunkt unit with 6 disc in dash CD changer and a screen to display the date and time, along with the current temperature. Redundant controls on the steering wheel allow operation of the stereo without taking your eyes off the road.

Visibility is quite good for a large sedan with thick pillars. Speaking of visibility, the style of this car seems very upscale in and out. Styling is always subjective (for instance, the tail lights are a bit different looking), but most would consider it good looking from it's headlights to it's staggered quad chrome slash tipped exhaust.

The G8 GT is fast, rocketing up steep grades with the feel of a jet fighter, and carving back roads with it's fully independent rear suspension. By the way, do you know the name of the other car from GM that is rear wheel drive and has independent rear suspension? I'll give you a hint: it's starts with a "Cor" and ends with a "Vette". Plenty of space in the rear seat as well as the front, along with a voluminous trunk that should handle day to day activities easily, the G8 is easy to live with and is sure to stir the soul.