Initial Quality – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Initial Quality Study, the Pontiac Solstice received an Initial Quality Power Circle Rating of 3 out of 5.

Performance and Design – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) Study, the Pontiac Solstice received a Performance and Design Power Circle Rating of 3 out of 5.

Vehicle Dependability – In the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Vehicle Dependability Study, which measures dependability after three years of ownership, the Pontiac Solstice received a Vehicle Dependability Power Circle Rating of 4 out of 5.

Fuel Economy – According to the EPA, every 2009 Pontiac Solstice – regardless of engine or transmission choice – gets 19 mpg in the city. Highway fuel economy estimates range from 24 mpg to 28 mpg, with the much more powerful 2.0-liter turbocharged engine achieving higher fuel economy ratings than the standard 2.4-liter engine. Our review vehicle, a Solstice GXP convertible with the turbocharged engine and a manual transmission, averaged 23 mpg during our test driving. Combined with its 13.6-gallon fuel tank, this results in a 310-mile range between fill-ups of premium unleaded.

Safety – According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice gets 4-star ratings for driver and front passenger protection in a frontal impact, as well as for front seat occupants in a side impact. The Solstice also receives a 5-star rollover rating from the NHTSA.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety had not performed crash tests on the Pontiac Solstice at the time this review was originally published.

Environment – According to the EPA, the 2009 Pontiac Solstice consumes 16.3 barrels of petroleum annually with all powertrain combinations except the turbocharged 2.0-liter with the manual transmission, which burns 15.6 barrels of petroleum annually. The resulting carbon footprint rating is 8.7 tons of air pollution per year for all Solstices except the GXP with the manual, which has a carbon footprint rating of 8.3 tons of air pollution per year. The Pontiac Solstice receives a national air pollution score of 6 out of 10 and a California/New England score of 6 out of 10.