2007 Pontiac G5 Review

Pontiac G5 – Review: "Hey there – nice Cobalt!" "Thanks, but it's a Pontiac G5." "G what?" "G5. It's part of Pontiac's new naming convention, y'know, G5, G6, and soon the G8." "Gotcha. No offense, but by the looks of the interior, you, uh, got a pretty good deal, huh?" "Sticker was $20,520." "Yikes. Well, if it's a Pontiac it must have a supercharged engine or something, right?" "Nope. That's only in the Chevy Cobalt." "Of course. Son, you do realize that you could've had a Honda Civic Si, Volkswagen GTI, or even that supercharged Chevy for just a bit more, don't you?" "Umm…" "No worries. Hey, you're obviously a smart kid. I've got some ocean front property in Arizona…"

What We Drove

For this evaluation, Pontiac supplied us with a 2007 G5 GT Coupe for one week. We clocked several hundred miles, covering the streets and freeways of southern California, and took the opportunity to test the handling on every curvy road we encountered. Our ride featured all the GT's standard equipment, as well as a power sunroof, a Pioneer sound system, a four-speed automatic transmission, traction control, side-curtain airbags, premium paint, a remote start system, and XM satellite radio. Factoring in the GT's $17,480 price and $615 destination charge, the total tally for this Performance Red G5 GT rang in at $20,520.

Performance

Using a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with variable-valve timing and 173 horsepower, the 2007 Pontiac G5 GT offers decent throttle response and plenty of power for all types of driving. Our tester was charged with transporting three grown men, along with their briefcases and assorted camera equipment, to and from LA while under our care, and not once did the little Pontiac falter. With the go pedal firmly planted against the floorboard when attempting to merge with highway traffic, the G5 GT performed admirably without any hesitation or lack of power, all while averaging 23.9 mpg. Sure, the four-banger was a little raspy, but it wasn't horrible. The same can be said of the automatic tranny, which offered relatively smooth shifts.

Handling

Though based on the same platform that supports the Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged Coupe, we didn't expect this more mainstream model to be terribly engaging. We were wrong…sort of. Truth be told, there's actually a little bit of sport in the G5 GT, with steering offering some road feel and defined by a good dose of responsiveness, and a controlled suspension setup that serves to balance sport and comfort, allowing for some roll and understeer but not too much. Pirelli P6 rubber measuring 205/50R17 does a decent job of gripping asphalt. The highway ride is on the stiff side, though that might be more a result of the hard seats than any of the parts bolted on underneath.

Visibility

Two-door coupes are not traditionally known for outstanding visibility due to their wide rear pillars and sloping rooflines. The 2007 Pontiac G5 Coupe is no exception, though viewing the outside world is easier than one might initially think. Aiding in the effort are ample rear and rear side windows, which when coupled with the long front side windows, allow for safe over-the-shoulder viewing – that's a big bonus when changing lanes. There are also large side mirrors which, again, work to compensate for the visibility limitation inherent of a coupe.

Fun to Drive

Think of your annual proctology exam, or the last child you delivered au naturel. Driving the 2007 Pontiac G5 GT is more fun than both of those life-changing events, thanks to the pseudo-sporting nature of the steering and suspension systems and the competent engine with its raspy gurgle. But in a world of similarly-priced Honda Civic Sis and supercharged Chevy Cobalts, no, the G5 isn't all that fun.

Front Comfort

To look at the 2007 Pontiac G5 GT's front bucket seats, you'd think they'd be about as butt-friendly as a freshly sawn 2 x 6 from Lucky's Lumber. The bottom cushions are flat, yet surprisingly supportive (note that we steered clear of using the word comfortable). Lower bolsters are rather inconsequential but firm enough to be somewhat effective, while the seat back bolsters are deeper and more useful. Driver and front passenger are granted adequate head and leg room, and leatherette on the shift knob and tilt steering wheel adds a soft touch. Conversely, hard plastics on the doors and center console are less hospitable, and with the large, heavy doors, getting in or out of the G5 becomes a challenge in tight parking spaces.

Rear Comfort

The 2007 Pontiac G5, features a handy quick-release lever on the front passenger seat, allowing the seat to tilt and slide forward to access the rear seat of this coupe. Genius, though Pontiac doesn't offer the feature on the driver's side as well – some others do. Pontiac deems the G5 a five-passenger ride, but the outboard headrests and bucketed seat bottom tell a different story. With the sloping roof, there's just enough head room for average-sized folks, though on long trips you'd likely prefer the added room offered in a sedan. The poor excuses for side armrests are hard and too small.

Interior Noise

We have a staff member who talks too quietly and doesn't hear as well a 33-year-old guy should. Therefore, many conversations result in "What?" coming from both sides. Very frustrating, especially when an attempt at dialogue is taking place in a loud vehicle like the 2007 Pontiac G5. We're not suggesting the need to yell in order to be heard, but the G5's road noise, tire noise, and wind noise emanating from the door seals don't exactly add up to a serene environment. Rear seat passengers are treated to what seems like a dearth of sound insulation, making it a bit difficult to maintain easy conversation with riders up front.

Loading Cargo

The Pontiac G5 Coupe looks like a hatchback, but unfortunately it's not. Unlike the trusty ol' hatchback – with its large lid that, when opened, avails basically the entire interior behind the front seats – coupes offer a relatively small trunk. Such is the case with the G5, which features a high liftover, lacks a bumper pad to prevent the scratching and gouging of the body-colored rear fascia, and a small opening. The trunk is actually a decent size, and with the rear seats folded, can be set up to accommodate longer items like skis or snowboards. However, due to the trunk lid and resulting limited access, carrying large or bulky items is pretty much out of the question.

Build Quality

Let's start with the good. Outside, we failed to notice any misaligned gaps or off-kilter panels – in other words, no sign of the usual build-quality offenders. Unfortunately, that's it for the positive report. Inside, we discovered that the loose trunk lining was free of any separation anxiety issues, the center console cover was popping off, the carbon fiber-esque trim panel behind the steering wheel was losing its grip, the headliner resembled a loose toupee in spots, the loose and irregular rear pillar covers needed to start fresh at square one, and the rear seat area played a tune akin to the rattle enjoyed by Papa's Little Puker.