2008 Pontiac G8 GT | Full Test | Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com tests the 2008 Pontiac G8 GT.
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[@don9598]

I own a 09 G8Gt in the same color. What a huge home run for GM. Its been ten years since Pontiac left us. I think GM should faze out Buick and bring back Pontiac.Chevy tried to keep the G8 going in their SS model. It was too expensive and did not look as good as the G8.We need to" bring back excitement".

[@PacoRobbins]

GM only brought the SS over to keep Holden plants open. GM will never bring Pontiac back, especially over Buick. The people that buy Buicks would never touch Pontiacs. I see mid 20 something women driving Buicks, do you think they'd drive a 4 door V8 sedan? No chance.

[@jakeinthebox274]

Pontiac will be back… write it down.

[@aalexsuprun]

I have this car, and it is simply excellent: it's fast, stable through the corners, and gorgeous... I still find myself walking into the garage and just staring at it...

[@blackice7408]

Do you still have it 13 yrs later?

[@MilesPrower88]

Pontiac really had something with the G8.. GM should have kept the Pontiac brand, most US cars I see here in Canada look similar but Pontiacs have a unique sporty look to them.. Even the vans! This is the nicest car I've EVER seen, one day I will own one. For now we have a 08 G6.

[@StalePhish]

I got a 2009 G8 GT in Stryker Blue last fall and love it!

[@blackice7408]

Do you still have it 14 yrs later?

[@themexblink]

Here in 2018 watching the video that me want to buy a G8 GT. Wanted it since 2008, finally got it in 2014. I still own it in 2018. Still the best purchase I ever made.

[@josefgordon7712]

12 years late but I would love one of these. Even over the GXP.

[@anthonygreco12]

We still have our 2008 and still love it

[@johnnyr25]

I had some reservations about this car, but seeing it in motion is impressive.

[@reebho]

I just bought one and it is awsome I find myself taking it out late at night when there are no cars on the road so i can open it up

[@WeirdoWithABeirdo84]

Yes, they did borrow some styling from the 5-series. There is an article about it in the Automobile magazine.

[@mdb25]

Wow, this is a nice car. I really didn't think much of it when i saw it at the auto show, but I clearly missed out. GM is really starting to build some freaking sweet ass cars again!!!!!!

[@kevinm0131]

The LS2 is coming later this year in the GXP version of the G*, yep, I'm just waiting to place my order.

[@siamiam]

i like it, decent looks inside and out and good performance, a good bang for the buck compared to other cars in its class

[@masterjedi89]

@Aust2008 haha nice man. ya i live in the states so this is the closest thing i can get to a holden. cant wait till i graduate college and i get this car as a little present for myself. love all the top gear vids on you page. one of my favorite shows! although they do bash some of my favorite cars (like the corvette) i do agree with a lot of their reviews. Do you have a commodore?

[@aalexsuprun]

Thank You Holden for allowing your Commodore SS to be produced with the steering wheel on the left side!

[@dcr1545]

Someone over there knows the facts. Hip hip hooray. Now you like the G8? Then get to know it more. Watch Holden's billion dollar baby on KZbin. It's a documentary on the VE Commodore. Also get to know Commodore. Watch VB SLE 5.0, VC HDT, VK SS GROUP A BROCK, VL CALIAS TURBO, VL WALKINSHAW and any SS, HSV, GTS, GTSR Commodore's.

[@wjcollier07]

Wow, this truly is something to see. GM finally bringing something to the table with a car that'd kick the asses of a 3 & 5 series sedan, along with C classes and most E classes. What an outstanding production. Just try to find ANY car that gives you so much, for so little. I hope GM keeps on this pattern they're on, first the all new Malibu, now the G8. I can't wait to see the GXP. Can't wait to have one in my own driveway.

[@FrankieTattak]

what rush can u get outta little compact with like a 100 hp. i have a stealth r/t and its boring

[@boob72]

They made a Monaro a few years ago (2 door version of the commodore, it was sold stateside as the GTO) They have also made a 2 door prototype of this car. Type in "Holden coupe 60" into your you tube search & you'll find it.

[@tontonpacute]

Good looking car, how come they didnt include the price as well as MPG in the video? 360 hp from a 6 liter v8? Isnt that kinda thin?

[@themexblink]

This video used to give me chills

[@gcuber]

To me, the G8 is the best Pontiac. I drive a Bonneville SSEi and I like towing my friends around in a sedan instead of a coupe. All my life I wanted a RWD Pontiac sedan and if I get lucky after college, this will be my next Pontiac.

[@Mechknight73]

@masterjedi89 Bear in mind that in 2013, Holden are returning to America, this time wearing Chevrolet badges. The Lumina and Caprice have both been sold in in the Middle East as Chevrolet badged Holdens. The rumours now are that they are going to be allowed to hit the streets in the US under thse badges as civilian cars, not just police cruisers

[@knightslade2007]

awsome ! cant wait to get mine !

[@blackice7408]

Have you gotten it 14 yrs later?

[@saiyankenny]

NICE!!! my friend and i both drive pintiac g6, i have a gt. then last year he got a gt, and next year i am getting the g8...gt.

[@alamkarb]

The G8 is a VERY nice car. My wife and I looked at one the other night,and they look really awesome up-close and in person. My wife wants one really badly!

[@blackice7408]

Have you gotten it for her as of yet?

[@soulcalibur22]

thats for testing it for us :) now that its ok well take it

[@TaroutCommodore]

In short words : it's sold as Holden Commodore VE SS an Autralia a Cevrolet Lumina SS in the middle east (front grill is chevy, the rest is the same) in the USA as a pontiac G8 it's an Aussi car, with a chevy engine. just badged as a pontiac. works like a charm, fast as hell, handels like a freaking dream for a car with that size the only down point is the brakes, they are very good, but I'll change them. glad I have one, best car owned till this day. drive one,you'll love it trust me ;)

[@patfromozZ]

Went in an VE SS manual the other day. 0 - 220kph is crazy quick for a family sedan.

[@dvcsub]

I love this pontiac!

[@chevcamaro6769]

The Camaro is also being designed in Australia as well in America.

[@ShaunYoung]

What's wrong with a holden mate?

[@WR250HUSKY]

In AUS this is a good looking car, what have they done ?

[@shawndub01]

@MCHAH how you liking the ride there mang?

[@CordovaMage]

Have you ever seen one up close? They have a build quality that you just dont see very often. It doesnt show up in the videos.

[@mtooshort20]

what are u talkin about? maybe i misunderstood what u said, but the LS series V8's are all made from the same basic design of a very strong block. The LS motors are GM made, as well as the L76 6.0L V8 used in this G8 GT(it was used in the silverado's). The G8 GXP uses the LS3 6.2L motor from the Corvette Z51 making 415hp and 415ft-lbs torque. But ur right, the only real similarities are the block and basic setup. they use different heads, intake manifolds, compression ratios, etc.

[@Coady1]

yeh its a Holden Commodore we Build the pontiac in South Australia with a few minor changes made to it, to make it a Pontiac. Made on the same line as the commodore

[@WeirdoWithABeirdo84]

Looks like a pontiac, nothing fancy. But it has a very reasonable price tag. They did borrow some styling from the BMW 5 series though, if you look at the side of it.

[@dwiggs77]

i agree it probably could have more bang for its size. i think they wanted more H.P. than a v6 would give them but couldn't do that without a tuned down 6.0 L engine

[@carsismeZ06]

I wonder if they'll may a G8 coupe, or G8 GXP...

[@GreendragonDMX1]

apprently it was suppose 2 be and replace ur crown victorias but ive read in a few magazines that it is no longer which is a shame because the focus on the GTO would vanish rather quickly compared to the FG falcon speically the FG GT look it up 1008 FG Ford Falcon GT ull love it

[@blitzkrieg1110]

Then wait for the G8 GXP. According to this months motor trend, it will have 402 hp and a 6.3 liter corvette v8. Also, brembo front brakes, a 6 speed manual available, and heavily bolstered seats. All for around 38 grand.

[@gunluvS14]

any 6mt option? I love the ls2 GTO, but I can't justify this is a better car

[@txcallahan]

Wats maxico?

[@napalm84]

looks so gooood

[@ownedntheface]

ya ive seen pics of it it looks a lot better than the 4 door

[@xxMafia101]

love it

[@chris92282]

I Have this car..mine is black though and its so much fun to drive....If u want one get it soon, before they are gone!!

[@gcuber]

I WANT THIS CAR!!!!!

[@bighorse215]

MY buddy actually has the grandprix gxp with the same 5.3 motor and brembo brakes as this car so I would say it's the same car with a new look

[@ShaunYoung]

Haha, yeah i see your point, but an australian made product (holden) is on par, if not a hell of a lot better than american cars due to the higher build quality expected in the Australian market.

[@CT37BN]

It's an Australian built and designed Holden { Commodore } badged Pontiac { G8 } using a Chevrolet { Corvette } engine. All in all a true muscle-mobile that can compete with the best from Europe.

[@chrislanebestlane]

I don't know anything about the Solstice, but I would pick the GTO over the G8 (or at least their australian counterparts). But in the end it comes down to what the driver wants from the car.

[@rastaboe]

We need to make it like the vauxhull VXR8...... 500+ bhp! come america were we at???

[@chrislanebestlane]

Its all about the handling mate.

[@Nihil2005]

Yes, I remember it. I think the GTO is better just because it's a two door.

[@bustermk2]

Don't know how to break it to you ... but the Camaro 2009 model is being largely engineered in Australia.

[@6smitty9]

This is what you call Australian engineering at its best 'THE VE commodore"

[@joshnc101]

The GTO didn't sell good because it was for a limited production. They had to kill off that platform anyways for the new one the Commodores/G8's are built on. Its being brought here for mass production, and it will sell very well. The G8, though not quite as fast as the GTO, is much better car, and it will be even better soon. Word just got out that they will release a GXP version with the 436hp LS3, dunno when it will hit the showrooms.

[@theanimal160]

@hsv271 It's a good thing Holden's parent company is GM amirite?

[@KuostA]

haha how can they not have a redline, and so much body roll!

[@coolerdude44]

how?

[@WeirdoWithABeirdo84]

Actually it is commondore, except it's being produced under Pontiac in US.

[@ejwagon]

Ummm, holden has not been an "Australian" car company for a while. Although most of the engineering was done in australia and it is built in Australia, it is still owned by GM. Don't get me wrong, I am a Holden fan (I live in Sth Australia) but I think GM Global diserve some of the cred for allowing the rear drive platform to continue (and to let them build it in Australia)

[@billisdewillis5]

There must have been something wrong with the one I test drove a few weeks ago...motor was underpowered for a claimed 361 hp...

[@319_AutoDetailing]

was it a GT?

[@billisdewillis5]

Yup...GT.

[@biczyk]

Kinda looks like a bmw 5 series/lexus gs put together. Much better looking than the recent GTO

[@wjcollier07]

I was referring to a LARGE, full size sedan. I should have just left the comparison to the 5 series and E class.

[@dowahdiddyman]

`The Pontiac designers` they did jack all on this car it`s as already stated a Holden, or in the UK a VXR8.

[@Konformation07]

@hsv271 I prefer the front actually. I don't like the HSV or the regular Holden fronts. It's too overdone and look at me.

[@CeeStyleDj]

Well, I always wanted a GTO but hated that the trunk was, well, "truncated". 4 doors has its advanatge too. Shame it has les horsepower though. You would think with it being heavier, it would have MORE Hp then the GTO but such is life. I do not like the Outdated Altezza style lighst either. that was hot in 1999.

[@tvangess]

is it available with a manual? if not I'll pass

[@sagarasouske]

I like it.

[@666demonknight666]

Holden takes all the credit.

[@PONTIACMUSCLE1]

Just for clarification: Australian design, American re-designed front and rear for Pontiac. American parts and engine = American Muscle rear wheel drive sedan!

[@napalm84]

i would buy it if it was a couple years old and if i did need another 4 door... But seriously, this is the best pontiac after trans am

[@kmart3697]

Base on Holden

[@skyline777]

australians invented that sporty truck a long time ago. except our version looks more old compared to theirs and we only started coming up with this idea now,

[@rumpig300]

look up a VE holden commordore

[@GIUGIK1]

what is this fantastic song happening? Help me, mates.

[@FrankieTattak]

well obviously with a swift because thats all you get lol. have you ever driven or been in a fast car with the petal to the floor?

[@seymorass93]

technically, its made by General Motors in austrailia, and the engine ad transmission are both made in america, so its still kinda american

[@ownedntheface]

this acctually is not as good as the new gto but it looks better. the 2006 gto had 400hp. that car is a beast

[@ilusionman1]

indeed a muscle car ^^

[@gobbygoo]

They tried that already. Remember the 2004-2006 GTO?

[@ajl227]

No. It's supposed to be the new Grand Prix. Or you could say its the sedan version of the GTO. But, G6 is the new Grand Am, not this. Personally, I wish they would have just stuck with GA and GP.

[@Nihil2005]

It's a nice car, but the fact of a four door sedan with a Corvette engine just doesn't sell it off. GM should have gone with a two-door, instead.

[@CeeStyleDj]

well, things were bad for a while. Glory as is success I think. Hey, at least it's all still in the GM family which is after all, an American company.

[@Caly2c]

Be nice if they recognised the Holden designers and engineers that actually built and developed this car. Without them there would be no G8. All the pontiac guys did was unload them off the truck when it got to the dealership.

[@slbiggs36]

I'm glad Pontiac is finally starting to finish their designs, now that they're on the verge of destruction!

[@soulcalibur22]

its unfortunate that it lookes EXACTLY THE SAME as any other holden with a body kit and wheels and tires sizes that wont even ROLL or make it to production. and yet it still "wowed" the ausies. i dont get it.

[@masterjedi89]

@Aust2008 so true brother :D

[@Manny1222]

Hahaha, this car eats babies! :P That's how bad ass this car is.

[@edman58]

im confused, how can they design such a beautiful car and forget to put the redline on the tach.

[@Ericthefilo]

good point but its like the other videos and every other American that takes it as "OH we've done it again go America!" Sure we love the v8 engines u send us over here but give us some credit for making every other fucking part of the car and making it run really well...

[@drivitlikeyoustoleit]

Aussie muscle at its best

[@PAVONEZORZ]

Is that thing RWD? We need more RWD cars out there.

[@st170ish]

"Pontiac already has plans for a GXP version that will pump out over 400HP"

[@coolerdude44]

woah the grand prix is the same price as the g8!?! why would anybody buy the grand prix?!?

[@666demonknight666]

nah, I think the manual gearbox is built in Mexico but not the chey engine.

[@vtecboi18]

well my cousin works for gm and he said they might keep pontiac as a performance brand, but most likely not,yes nissans are good i have a 300zx na that i love to death,also toyotas are good too,i wouldn't get a honda unless its gonna be a 100 all day everyday track car, bet your shocked to hear that from a guy with vtec as part of his screen name lol

[@Ericthefilo]

lol its not, you're wrong... Assembled and styled (style being slight deviation from original Australian design) is different to designed and built. But really it comes down to being patriotic about their cars... its obviously very important to people in the US to be reassured its an all American car.

[@mastazuki91]

Yeah but its not sold in the U.S. which is what i meant. Sorry for the confusion!!