Test Drive: 2008 Pontiac G5 Coupe

2008 Pontiac G5 coupe. Click image to enlarge

Competitors Buyer’s Guide: 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt coupe Buyer’s Guide: 2008 Ford Focus coupe Buyer’s Guide: 2008 Honda Civic Coupe Manufacturer’s web site General Motors of Canada

Review and photos by Norm Mort

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2008 Pontiac G5 coupe

Wellington, Ontario – Despite the multitude of vehicle bodystyles available in the Canadian marketplace, there aren’t many sporty-looking, affordable coupes. Back in the 1950s and sixties in the golden age of the coupe – more commonly known as the two-door hardtop – it was the body style of choice. If you suggested it would be nice if Chrysler offered a Dodge Charger in four-door guise you would have been laughed out of the showroom. Not so today, but that was then and this is now.

Still, one automaker in particular, General Motors, has continued to offer two-door, sportier versions of its entry level models, the Chevy Cobalt and Pontiac G5 (formerly Sunfire). Pontiac has a long tradition of turning out very shapely coupes and the G5 is no exception. Whereas the larger Grand Prix and Bonneville models of the past were coated in layers of cladding, the smaller Pontiac has a clean sides and unbroken lines. Although available in a wide range of colours, my particular test car came in a rather boring “Imperial Blue Metallic” that never garnered a second look.

2008 Pontiac G5 coupe. Click image to enlarge

From a sporty-looking point of view, the G5 in “Victory Red” or “Competition Yellow” scores fairly high.

The front-wheel drive G5 provides a comfortable ride, good seats and large doors for easy access. Inside, it’s all black plastic with faux aluminum and grey cloth. The grey cloth is lighter than most and not overpowering. The dash design is ergonomically correct and there is no complaint about the fit and finish.

On the downside, the interior is not that spacious and there is no handy centre console. There are a pair of side-by-side coffee cupholders and two small, rather awkwardly shaped side door pockets. Although advertised as a five-passenger Coupe the rear seats are better suited for two. Rear legroom is acceptable, but headroom for six footers is impossible. In fact, even average adults will find themselves cramped – I think the rake of the rear seat was designed by a kindergarten teacher with an obsession for sitting up straight.

New for 2008 are standard side airbags for front passengers, a feature that’s becoming standard on more and more small cars.

The trunk is large (395 litres), but hampered by a small trunk opening. The standard rear seat is split 40/60 and folds down via a release lever inside the trunk.

My base model was equipped with the 2.2-litre DOHC, 16-valve inline four-cylinder engine rated at 148 hp and 152 lb-ft of torque and an optional four-speed automatic transmission. Performance is adequate, but hardly sporting.

2008 Pontiac G5 coupe. Click image to enlarge

Standard brakes are front discs/rear drums, but you can opt for four disc brakes with ABS. The G5 uses regular gas and has an Energuide rating of 9.2 L/100 km city (31mpg) and 5.9 L/100 km (48 mpg) highway. During my test drive I wasn’t able to achieve these ratings, but the Pontiac was no gas guzzler at about 8.4 L/100 km (35 mpg) on average.

The biggest problem I have with the G5 is the price. Starting at $15,595, there is no remote door locking system, no power windows and no air conditioning. The remote mirrors are manually operated and the floor mats cost an extra $40.00. Other extra cost features are an engine block heater ($60.00), a lighter and ashtray ($35.00), and even a license plate bracket ($15.00). Kudos for the standard AM/FM stereo with CD player, a rear spoiler and the fancy plastic wheel covers, but if you add A/C ($1,150), A/C tax ($100), ABS ($600), a four-speed automatic ($1,250) and Destination Charges ($1,095), the price jumps to almost $20,000.

2008 Pontiac G5 coupe. Click image to enlarge

There isn’t a lot of competition in the compact coupe segment at this price level. The Honda Civic Coupe and the all-new Ford Focus Coupe are in the same sticker range; as well, there’s the General’s own in-house competition, the clone-like Chevy Cobalt.

The G5 belongs to the previous generation of GM Pontiacs and its age and shortcomings are beginning to show. Still, the Pontiac G5 and Chevrolet Cobalt have had a long and loyal following. Proven reliability, low repair costs, and good resale appeal are among its long-term virtues.