2007 Pontiac G5 Coupe

What's New?
The all-new Pontiac G5 coupe replaces the compact Sunfire, which was discontinued after the 2005 model year. The G5 coupe is based on the Chevrolet Cobalt and is available in two versions: the 148-hp base model and the sport-tuned, 173-hp GT.

Overview
Compact cars have been a big part of the Pontiac lineup for years, so it came as something of a surprise when the Sunfire, Pontiac's sibling to the Chevrolet Cavalier, disappeared after 2005 with no successor. Pontiac didn't stay out of the market long, though. For 2007 they have introduced a new compact entry-level car, the G5. Like its predecessor, the G5 is based on a Chevrolet product (the Cobalt, which replaced the Cavalier in 2005). Unlike its predecessor, the G5 is available—in the United States, at least—in coupe form only. (The G5 is sold in Canada as both a coupe and a sedan, named the G5 Pursuit.)

Built in Lordstown, Ohio, the G5 is a fairly conventional 4-cylinder, front-wheel-drive compact; grille, taillights, and badges are the main differences between it and the Chevrolet Cobalt coupe. The base model G5 is attractively priced and comes equipped with power windows, locks, and mirrors; air conditioning; a CD/MP3 player with input jack; and a 2.2-liter, 148-hp 4-cylinder engine. The GT model adds 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes and a 173-hp, 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, as well as sportier body trim, alloy wheels, cruise control, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls. The GT gets the "FE3" sport suspension, which includes 22mm front and rear stabilizer bars (3mm and 6mm thicker than the front and rear bars on the base model, respectively), mono-tube shock absorbers, and performance tires. Options for both models include side air bags and a 4-speed automatic transmission.

For 2007, Pontiac's 3-year/36,000-mile warranty is supplemented by 5-year/100,000-mile powertrain and roadside assistance coverage.

The Competition
The Pontiac G5 competes in the Compact Conventional segment, which consists of 20 models. Buyers in this segment look for fuel economy, reliability, and safety, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Avoider Study^SM and the Escaped Shopper Study.^SM

The top sellers in the segment during calendar year 2006, according to the J.D. Power and Associates Sales Report,^SM were the Toyota Corolla (328,699 units sold), Honda Civic (316,638), and Chevrolet Cobalt (211,449). The Pontiac G5 sold 7,902 units in 2006 in its first year on the market. Other models offered in the Compact Conventional segment include the Ford Focus, Nissan Sentra, Toyota Prius, Volkswagen Jetta, and Saturn Ion. Joining the segment in 2007 are the Suzuki SX4 and Volkswagen Rabbit .