Review Car

2011 Pontiac Grand Prix

The 2011 Pontiac Grand Prix has been known as a fine mover, a good stopper, a fair looker and a reasonable handler. Taking primary credit for that improvement is the complete absence of body side cladding. The look is much more restrained than last year’s, although it does lose the aggressive front view with its visually taller, more Bonneville-like front end. In its 2011 manifestation expect general improvements in all those categories, but prepare for a real surprise party in the interior. And not only in eye-appeal and ergonomics but in versatility, flexibility and utility.2011 marks the ninth generation for the Pontiac Grand Prix. The latent creativity of the General Motors design staff has been stirred into activity coming up with more good ideas than a carton of cartoon light bulbs.

Appearance is the most subjective aspect of any automobile. The 2011 2011 Pontiac Grand Prix is available as two primary models, GT and GTP, with variations of each. All are five-passenger, four-door, front-wheel-drive sedans with 3.8-liter V6 engines and four-speed automatic transmissions. Inside is where the Grand Prix absolutely shines. The 2011 2011 Pontiac Grand Prix seats are supportive and comfortable. The steering wheel fills the hand just right. The outside mirrors are remarkably large for a sedan. That’s a feature SUV drivers often mention as a reason they like SUVs. Here are large mirrors with an informative view of the world behind and yet add no noticeable wind noise.

The instrument panel, pleasing in its three-dimensional, simple layout, is readily visible through the smart three-spoke steering wheel. The large center speedometer stands out from and overlaps the tachometer (on the left) and the circle containing the fuel and temperature gauges (on the right). Back grounded with a shadowy grid pattern, these watch-like dials yield their information with simple, uncluttered, handsome functionality.

The 3.8-liter V6 in The 2011 Pontiac Grand Prix is normally aspirated in the GT model but supercharged in GTP versions. That lowers gas mileage slightly, but accounts for the addition of 60 horsepower (to 260) and the reduction by some two seconds in the time it takes to reach 60 mph from zero. We’re talking just 6.5 seconds in the Comp G, a comforting figure when merging or passing in tight situations. At that the gas mileage is respectable: The GT gets 20 city and 30 highway with two mpg less for the supercharged versions. The four-speed automatic shifts in smooth increments. An electronic control system (ETC) has a speed-based response mechanism meaning that the car is tractable around town without goosey overreaction but answers the call for power instantly at highway speeds. The ultimate feel of the road, and thus a car that loves quick, requires a tight suspension. The Comp GT itself is grinning through the corners.

2011 Pontiac Grand Prix’s suspension system renders it capable of 0.83G lateral acceleration force. Included in the Comp G package is StabiliTrak Sport, a four-wheel stability system that is unlike anything in the market segment. You’d grin too. And it does it without jarring a tooth on the straights. Nicely done, suspension guys. As for stopping, the brakes in the 17-inch wheels of the Comp GT pull it to a stop from 60 mph in 139 feet. Commendable and satisfying. I separate suspension systems into three levels. One: you can’t tell what your tires are running over on the road except that it’s pavement. Two: if you run over a dime you’ll know it. Three: you not only know it’s a dime you know what year it was coined. These levels are descriptions, albeit extreme, of what the engineers have brought about in the three Grand Prix models. The GT offers the most traditional ride; the GTP is tighter for secure cornering yet retains enough ease to satisfy the soft-ride devotee.