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By KBB Editors
Updated December 23, 2019
If small cars light your fire and you prefer to "buy domestic," Pontiac has an attractive answer to your quest. Youthful buyers, in particular, are likely to gravitate toward Pontiac’s compact coupe, lured by its curvy two-door profile and frisky performance, even in base-model form.
If you’re searching for full-bore small-coupe performance, you might be happier with Chevrolet’s Cobalt SS Supercharged model, or with other high-output compacts. Buyers who demand safety features but don’t care to pay extra for anti-lock brakes (ABS) and side-curtain airbags might also prefer to look elsewhere.
The addition of the G5 demonstrates Pontiac’s new model grouping, which started with the larger G6 and includes the bigger-yet G8, which arrives for 2008. Even though it’s a cousin to the Cobalt, the G5 also shows that Pontiac remains in the running as a maker of sporty-style coupes and "entry-level" models – though a sticker price that starts above $15,000 pushes it toward the upper-end of that category.
Kinship between Pontiac and Chevrolet models is nothing new. Back in 1967, for instance, when Chevrolet launched its original Camaro, Pontiac followed with a Firebird. This time, Pontiac’s new G5 compact coupe is related to Chevrolet’s Cobalt, introduced for 2006 in both coupe and sedan form. Consisting only of coupes, Pontiac’s model lineup is skimpier than Chevrolet’s and lacks the latter’s supercharged top-end entry. Built on GM’s global small-car platform and considered an "entry-level" model, the front-wheel-drive G5 comes in two trim levels, each with its own four-cylinder engine and suspension setup. A standard rear spoiler suggests Pontiac’s sportier nature.
The Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price for any individual used vehicle can vary greatly according to mileage, condition, location, and other factors, but here's a general idea of what buyers are currently paying for used 2007 Pontiac G5 models when purchasing from a dealership.
Original MSRP | KBB Fair Purchase Price (nat'l average) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
$15,845 | $4,682 | |||
$18,645 | $4,516 |
For reference, the 2007 Pontiac G5 originally had a starting sticker price of $15,845, with the range-topping G5 GT Coupe 2D starting at $18,645.
Like its Chevrolet counterpart, the G5 is a friendly little coupe. Even with the base engine and automatic, the frisky G5 responds enthusiastically to the gas pedal, while starting off or at speed, making the GT’s engine less compelling. Automatic-transmission shifts are crisp but smooth, and downshifts come promptly. Ride comfort on smooth highways deteriorates on rougher pavement, even with the base suspension. Though not quite flat in quick curves, this coupe hangs tight without squealing. Thick pillars and miniature quarter-pane windows hinder visibility.
In theory, at least, five occupants can squeeze into the G5’s cozy cockpit on cloth-upholstered front buckets and a split-folding rear seat. Backseat riders had better be young and/or small, though, as heads can easily hit the roof and elbow and leg space isn’t much better. Pontiac has long been the "sporty" member of the General Motors family, so white-faced sport gauges are no big surprise. Carpeted floor mats come standard, along with four cupholders: Two in front and two in back. The GT coupe also includes a cargo net. Seat bottoms are quite short, with somewhat hard cushioning but excellent support.
Built on a 103.5-inch wheelbase, the G5 is 179.8 inches long – close to the Cobalt. Familiar Pontiac styling cues include the twin-port grille. Foglamps are included on the GT and available for the base car. Base models roll on 15-inch tires, while the GT gets 17-inch rubber on polished aluminum wheels. An FE1 "smooth ride" suspension is installed on the base model, but the GT gets an FE3 setup that promises a "firmer, more direct" ride. Pontiac notes that suspension tuning concerns steering feel, spring rates and diameter of the front and rear anti-roll bars, to provide distinct handling characteristics.
Powertrain with Automatic Transmission
Even the 148-horsepower engine delivers the goods with performance that beats many small cars, which typically lose energy when coupled to an automatic transmission.
Sport-Style Front Seats
No, they’re not true sports-car buckets, but snug side bolstering and an assertively firm seatback almost give the impression that you’re sitting in a real sport machine.
Both G5 models are comparatively well-equipped. Standard G5 equipment includes air conditioning (with air filtration), power windows/doors/locks, remote keyless entry, a CD player with MP3 capability, tilt steering wheel and touring suspension. In addition to the larger engine, the G5 GT adds all-disc anti-lock brakes (ABS), sport rocker moldings, fog lamps, cruise control, a leather-wrapped shift knob and steering wheel with touch controls, XM Satellite Radio with Pioneer speakers, 17-inch wheels and a sport suspension.
Many of the items that come standard on the GT coupe can be installed in a base model at extra cost, including ABS and XM Satellite Radio with Pioneer speakers. Additional options include side-curtain airbags, leather-appointed seats, GM’s OnStar communications system and an in-dash six-CD changer. A sunroof is part of the base coupe’s Sun and Sound Package.
In the base-model G5, a 2.2-liter four-cylinder Ecotec engine produces 148 horsepower, driving a five-speed Getrag manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. A 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter engine that uses premium-grade gasoline goes into the GT model.
2.2-liter in-line 4
148 horsepower @ 5600 rpm
152 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4200 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 (manual), 24/32 (automatic)
2.4-liter in-line 4
173 horsepower @ 6200 rpm
163 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4800 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 25/34 (manual), 24/32 (automatic)
Our Expert Ratings come from hours of both driving and number crunching to make sure that you choose the best car for you. We comprehensively experience and analyze every new SUV, car, truck, or minivan for sale in the U.S. and compare it to its competitors. When all that dust settles, we have our ratings.
We require new ratings every time an all-new vehicle or a new generation of an existing vehicle comes out. Additionally, we reassess those ratings when a new-generation vehicle receives a mid-cycle refresh — basically, sprucing up a car in the middle of its product cycle (typically, around the 2-3 years mark) with a minor facelift, often with updates to features and technology.
Rather than pulling random numbers out of the air or off some meaningless checklist, KBB’s editors rank a vehicle to where it belongs in its class. Before any car earns its KBB rating, it must prove itself to be better (or worse) than the other cars it’s competing against as it tries to get you to spend your money buying or leasing.
Our editors drive and live with a given vehicle. We ask all the right questions about the interior, the exterior, the engine and powertrain, the ride and handling, the features, the comfort, and of course, about the price. Does it serve the purpose for which it was built? (Whether that purpose is commuting efficiently to and from work in the city, keeping your family safe, making you feel like you’ve made it to the top — or that you’re on your way — or making you feel like you’ve finally found just the right partner for your lifestyle.)
We take each vehicle we test through the mundane — parking, lane-changing, backing up, cargo space and loading — as well as the essential — acceleration, braking, handling, interior quiet and comfort, build quality, materials quality, reliability.
Curb Weight | 2991 lbs. | ||
---|---|---|---|
Fuel Capacity | 13.0 gallons | ||
Front Head Room | 38.1 inches | ||
Front Leg Room | 42.0 inches | ||
Max Seating Capacity | 5 | ||
Overall Length | 179.8 inches | ||
Front Shoulder Room | 53.1 inches | ||
Trunk or Cargo Capacity | 13.9 cu.ft. | ||
Turning Diameter | 33.5 feet | ||
Wheel Base | 103.5 inches | ||
Width with mirrors | 67.5 inches |
Alloy Wheels | Available | ||
---|---|---|---|
Moon Roof/Sun Roof | Available | ||
Number of Doors | 2 doors | ||
Rear Spoiler | Available |
City | 21 mpg | ||
---|---|---|---|
Highway | 29 mpg | ||
Combined | 24 mpg |
Drivetrain | FWD | ||
---|---|---|---|
Transmission Type | Automatic | ||
Recommended Fuel | Premium |
Horsepower | 173 @ 6200 RPM | ||
---|---|---|---|
Torque | 163 @ 4800 rpm | ||
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter |
Basic | 3 years / 36000 miles | ||
---|---|---|---|
Powertrain | 5 years / 100000 miles | ||
Corrosion | 6 years / 100000 miles |
Used 2007 Pontiac G5 | Used 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt | Used 2009 Ford Focus | Used 2007 Saturn Ion | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Price | $4,948 | $4,637 | $4,637 | $4,755 | |
Consumer Rating | 4.3 | 4.4 | 4.6 | 4.0 | |
Fuel Economy | City 21/Hwy 29/Comb 24 MPG | City 25/Hwy 37/Comb 30 MPG | City 24/Hwy 33/Comb 27 MPG | City 20/Hwy 28/Comb 23 MPG | |
Fuel Type | Gas | Gas | Gas | Gas | |
Seating Capacity | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | |
Basic Warranty | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | 3 years or 36000 miles | |
Horsepower | 173 @ 6200 RPM | 155 @ 6100 RPM | 140 @ 6000 RPM | 205 @ 5600 RPM | |
Engine | 4-Cyl, 2.4 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.2 Liter | 4-Cyl, 2.0 Liter | 4-Cyl, Supercharged | |
Drivetrain | FWD | FWD | FWD | FWD |