2008 Pontiac G5

The Pontiac G5 coupe, introduced in 2007, is primarily a fleet seller, and there aren't many comparative reviews that include this model. Editors at ConsumerGuide.com include the 2008 Pontiac G5 in their comprehensive road evaluations, and they provide scores to illustrate how the G5 ranks against other compact cars. The other credible articles we found are single-vehicle overviews, although expert reviews from Edmunds.com, the Car Connection, and Kelley Blue Book contain some informal comparisons of the Pontiac G5 with its closest competitors. A brief "Ruthless Review" from CarCritic.com addresses often-overlooked issues such as reliability and depreciation. Car and Driver magazine provides a summary of an abridged road test of the 2007 Pontiac G5 GT, which changed little for model year 2008.

The 2008 Pontiac G5 shares similarities with the Chevrolet Cobalt (*est. $14,225 to $22,335) but lacks the better-reviewed supercharged version of its platform mate. As a result, the G5 inspires the same tepid response from critics as the Cobalt sedan. Reviewers note that the G5's two engine choices are among the most powerful in the economy class, and many admire the exterior styling. On the other hand, most sources claim that the G5 simply doesn't possess the refinement or responsiveness necessary to make it a true value leader. Price-wise, the Pontiac G5 falls within the range of the Honda Civic (*est. $14,800 to $23,250) and Honda Fit (*est. $13,950 to $16,070), both of which receive better reviews overall.